2013 Chancellor’s Award
Mike Brossart, Safety Administrator - Riverland Community College
Nominated by Judy Enright, Physical Plant Manager
• Provided numerous safety and security plans, policies, programs, training materials and best
management practices across the system
• Provided Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS), Security and DOT consultation to many other
colleges
• Participated on the Safety and Security Charter Task Force
• Designed:
o New emergency plan notification and awareness system
o Comprehensive compliance matrix and training matrix outlining all organizational
compliance requirements with training needs
o Document to track hazardous waste which is used throughout the system
o Comprehensive Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) document for assessing potential hazards,
unsafe conditions, violations, etc.
• Developed a cost effective vendor list that could improve occupational safety and health
support services
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2013 Outstanding Service Award
John Frischmann, AIA, LEED AP - St. Cloud State University
• Nominated by Richard Duffett, Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration
• Oversaw capital construction projects, including the Integrated Science and Engineering
Laboratory Facility (ISELF) project and Herb Brooks National Hockey Center
• Increased energy savings and Xcel Energy rebates
• Led the Energy Service Cooperative Project (ESCO), viewed as a cutting edge energy project
which has the potential to reduce energy costs, and assist with deferred maintenance, without
using state funding
Dan Hall, Vice President for Finance and Facilities - North Hennepin Community College
Nominated by Lisa Larson, Acting President, Jane Reinke, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Landon
Pirius, Vice President for Student Affairs, Mike Freer, CHRO
• Changed budget process to include a long-term view (2006-2018) to develop better
understanding of budget impacts caused by personnel decisions and student enrollments
• Aligned budget development process with Enrollment Management Model:
o Providing better information related to building and maintaining annual and long-term
budgets
o To respond to enrollment fluctuations quickly and effectively
• Developed a Facilities Management Custodial Service Levels chart to promote consistency in
facilities’ conditions throughout the campus.
Dan Hambrock, Associate Vice President for Capital Planning and Facilities –
Metropolitan State University
Nominated by Murtuza Siddiqui, CFO/Vice President of Administrative Affairs
• Managed multiple projects including:
o Midway lease renewals and build outs
o Completed design milestones of the Science Education Center
o Completed the parking ramp redesign and awarded contract for design
o Reduced energy consumption by 25% with replacement and implementation of new
HVAC, cooling system and lighting fixtures
Marita Hickman - Office of Internal Audit
Nominated by Tim Wynes, President – Inver Hills Community College, Interim President – Dakota County
Technical College
• Worked with CFO at DCTC to unravel financial transactions concerning athletics
• Helped reestablish expectations for transparent use of funds for sports at DCTC
Dan Holtz, CFO - Ridgewater College
Nominated by Douglas Allen, President
• Revamped presentation of CFI rankings to help external audiences understand the ratios
• Effectively communicated financial condition to internal and external groups
• Successfully orchestrated one of the largest renovation/demolition projects in system history
($13.8M), requiring immense relocation efforts to keep programs and services running without
disruption
Shayn Jensson, Project Manager - Rochester Community and Technical College
Nominated by Steve Schmall, Vice President of Finance and Facilities
• Ensured facilities are in best possible shape to provide safe and welcoming environment by
being an exceptional steward of public funds,
• Increased efficiencies on campus through the use of steam heat
• Communicated possible inconveniences to all concerned parties that may be affected by
campus projects
• Participated on the EPMS steering committee
Shannon Jesme, Chief Financial Officer - Northland Community and Technical College
Nominated by Becky Lindseth, Executive Director of Administrative Services
• Put internal controls in place, ensuring audit compliance
• Cleared 15 audit findings, and no new findings were cited in FY2012 internal audit
• Provided budget forecast for FY2015-2016
• Improved Composite Financial Index (CFI)
• Raised understanding of budgets, depreciation, accruals and CFI
• Managed two large federal grants that required intensive financial management and compliance
recording
Karen Kedrowski, Vice President of Finance and Administration - Northeast Higher Education District
Nominated by M. Sue Collins, President
• Served as Campus Service Cooperative Captain and assisted with development and deployment
of its initiatives
• Served on capital projects scoring team
• Participated on regional committees and task forces to improve efficiencies
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Led construction of three major capital projects
Designed a shared services model for custom training division
Engineered budget planning process and improved CFI
Commitment to innovative solutions
Lori Kloos, Vice President for Administration – St. Cloud Technical and Community College
Nominated by Joyce Helens, President
• Identified opportunities for collaboration and efficiencies and shared them with other campuses
• Participated on the Finance User Group (FUG), Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), EPMS
Steering Committee, CEMRS Committee, and assisted with the Campus Service Cooperative RFP
for managed print services
• Facilitated dialogues with Student Senate in preparation for student consultation process
• Resolved problems through consistent, open communication
Jan Mahoney, Vice President for Finance and Administration - Minnesota State University Moorhead
Nominated by Edna Szymanski, President
• Restructured budget process to increase clarity
• Improved internal controls
• Helped develop benchmark comparisons for all areas of the university
• Worked with leadership to develop a budget reduction plan
• Increase reserves to 6.5%
• Improved CFI
• Oversaw the completion of numerous renovations
Business Office Staff - St. Cloud Technical and Community College
Nominated by Lori Kloos, Vice President of Administration
• Identified and implemented efficiencies to improve overall budget
• Worked with financial aid staff to identify and communicate with students who had potential
financial aid problems, gave them payment options, resulting in a decreased accounts receivable
• Reviewed and evaluated internal controls, resulting in no outstanding audit issues
• Completed reconciliations on a timely basis
• Built a network of support within the MnSCU system to leverage knowledge of financial
professionals
Facilities Project Team - Saint Paul College
Nominated by Shaan Hamilton, Vice President – Finance and Operations
• Completed ten separate room remodeling projects
• Coordinated the completion of twelve additional improvement to grounds and internal campus
spaces
Finance Team - Saint Paul College
Nominated by Shaan Hamilton, Vice President – Finance and Operations
• Improved accounts receivable collections process by revamping student billing process
• Reduced number of students dropped for non-payment through phone calls and electronic
correspondence
• Improved efficiency and accuracy of inventory control system and budget planning though use
of SharePoint.
Maintenance Team - Minnesota State College - Southeast Technical
Nominated by Michael Kroening, Vice President of Finance and Administration
• Successfully moved transportation programs from the main campus building to the new
transportation center without disrupting students, staff and faculty
• Renovated vacated space in main building to house programs from the airport campus, which
was sold
• Saved thousands of dollars by completing the renovation and moves internally
Certificates of Appreciation – Campus Service Cooperative
Nominations by Colin Dougherty
Ron Beckstrom, Business Office Manager – Metropolitan State University
• Advocated collaboration and innovative solutions for more efficient processes across the system
• Served on a CFO task force to develop a new financial model for the CSC that will help drive
efficiencies and transparency
Nicole Blanchard, Business Office Manager – system office
• Served as an integral member of several finance working groups and provided expertise in
financial operations
• Helped navigate complex issues of business operations within the system
Deb Kerkaert, Vice President for Finance and Administration – Southwest Minnesota State University
• Served as CSC Finance Captain and provided strong leadership and insight into the financial
community
• Leader of the CSC Student Internship and Development Program through Luoma group
• Spearheaded OfficeMax student internship
• Advocated collaboration and innovative solutions for more efficient processes across the system
Spencer Ludtke, Accounting Technician – system office
• Identified key issues and opportunities and provided insight for potential solutions
• Participated in multiple forums, conversations with external suppliers, RFP events, process
workshops such as purchase card, business expenses and accounts payable
• Provided expertise and attention to detail that helped to develop and implement meaningful
process and sourcing solutions
Michael Noble-Olson, Buyer 2 – Minneapolis Community and Technical College
• Brought purchasing perspectives to conversations with vendors while providing specific campus
and product expertise
• Invested time and expertise to multiple RFP scoring sessions and presentation from suppliers,
ensuring highly competitive prices
• Led the effort to quantify and validate CSC sourcing savings across the system by leveraging his
MnSCU purchasing expertise
Pat Nordick, Chief Financial Officer – Minnesota State Community and Technical College
• Served as a CSC Captain and provided insight and leadership and drove collaboration
• Focused on placing students first as solutions are developed and implemented
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Led multiple cross-functional groups in identification of issues and the design of innovative and
viable solutions
Todd Oseby, Purchasing and Auxiliary Services Supervisor – Century College
• Brought procurement officer perspectives to conversations with vendors while providing
specific campus and product expertise
• Provided expertise in negotiating contract language and addressing supplier questions
• Consistently advocated a collaborative systemwide approach that engaged leaders and staff and
has been a leader in communicating successes to drive buy-in and understanding
Chris Rau, Director of Finance – Minneapolis Community and Technical College
• Brought financial officer perspectives to conversations with vendors while providing specific
campus and expertise
• Provided expertise in negotiating contract language and addressing supplier questions
• Advocated collaboration and innovative solutions for more efficient processes across the system
Sue Traaseth, Director of Loan Operations – system office
• Provided expertise that helped the CSC team craft recommendations that focus on what is best
for students
• Provided innovative ideas to solve the most significant issues that were impeding progress in
delivering value to students
Dennis Zilmer, Business Office Manager – Minnesota State Community and Technical College
• Advocated collaboration and innovative solutions for more efficient processes across the system
• Led process efficiency in payroll processing