Anne Marie Gavel is retired from United HealthGroup – Optum where she worked as Senior Vice President. She feels extremely grateful for all that she has been given in life and is a member of VEAP’s board to serve others with the hopes they too can experience joy in their lives. Anne Marie enjoys spending time with loved ones, giving back to her community and facilitating groups to find solutions and effect change.
If given access to just one food on a desert island, Anne Marie would pick: peanut butter.
Tom Larson is retired from The Toro Company where he served as Vice President, Corporate Controller. He really enjoys being a part of an organization that lifts a burden from those that are struggling, and gives them the opportunity to regain their confidence, independence, and their hope for a better life. Tom says the amazing staff, volunteers and supporters of VEAP do this every day, and are making a huge impact in the local community, which is why he serves on our board. Tom’s greatest joy in life comes from his family. His wife Rachel and he love spending time with their kids and grandkids, especially at the cabin!
If Tom were stuck on a desert island with access to one food, he says he’d choose: “Sumo Oranges… never get tired of them!”
Becky Johnson works as a nonprofit financial consultant. She was compelled to serve on VEAP’s board to be connected to her community and contribute to a cause that she cares about. When not working, Becky finds joy in her family, friends and nature.
If she were stuck on a desert island with one food, Becky says: “It would be yogurt (with dark chocolate, granola, and blueberries!)”
Jennifer Siedow works at Yale Mechanical as the CFO. She joined VEAP’s board as a way to give back in a local organization. Jennifer’s children are older and she says she now has more time to pursue other interests. In her spare time, she enjoys golfing, reading and spending time on the river in her family’s boat.
If she were stuck on a desert island with unlimited access to one food, Jennifer would pick: “Nachos!!!”
Ross Widmoyer is the President & COO of Faribault Woolen Mill Co. He joined VEAP’s board because he believes VEAP is an organization that makes a huge impact in our local communities, addressing the basic and immediate needs of his neighbors. Ross says that it’s important to “think globally, act locally” and VEAP does just that. In his personal life, Ross loves spending time at his lake cabin with his wife, two elementary school aged sons and golden retriever.
If Ross were stuck on a desert island with access to one food, he says he’d pick: “Pizza… the food that works for breakfast, lunch and dinner!”
Brenda Bjorklund works at CenterPoint Energy as Associate General Counsel. She was drawn to VEAP because of its compelling and compassionate direct service in the community. She loves the partnership of hope and connectedness she sees in VEAP. In her personal life, Brenda says her family brings her great joy—every one of them!
If Brenda were stuck on a desert island with access to one food, she says she’d choose: “Watermelon!”
Dion Evans is a Vice President for Target and he oversees Planning for the Hardlines business. He has also served in the Active Duty Air Force and the Air National Guard. Dion was drawn to VEAP’s board as he is passionate about addressing food insecurity in our community based on the first-hand challenges he experienced while growing up. He believes VEAP does extraordinary work in this area and he enjoys supporting our efforts in making a positive impact on people’s lives. Dion gets tremendous joy from spending time with his young children and being outside in nature, even just for a walk around one of our beautiful city lakes.
If he were stuck on a desert island with unlimited access to one food, Dion says: “I’m not a very picky eater but I think I could enjoy PB&J for a quite a long time.”
Tai Giwa works as a Senior Site Manager for Aeon Management. She was drawn to VEAP because of our commitment to serve and uplift the community through direct services. She is looking forward to using her professional experience, expertise, and passion to serve the community. Tai has a great love for cooking and excels at recreating recipes from scratch at home. When dining out, she can easily replicate dishes just by tasting them. She can whip up an appetizer, entree and dessert in less than an hour!
If she were stuck on a desert island with unlimited access to one food, Tai says, “How can I choose just one, so many endless choices. But if I must choose, I would pick Spicy Korean Beef Bulgogi with steamed rice.”
J. Edgar Madsen is a CPA\PFS CGMA MBA with Madsen, O’Meara and Company, P.C. More bio details coming soon!
Shannon McCormick is a Principal Marketing Associate with Medtronic, and works to develop and commercialize minimally invasive solutions for people with mitral valve disease. She felt compelled to join VEAP’s board because of her personal alignment to the mission and inclusivity of our organization. She is excited to be a part of an organization that has the infrastructure and resources to provide access to food, housing, and supportive services to all. Shannon enjoys spending time with her friends and family, including her baby daughter. She loves spending time out in nature, especially in environments where her two dogs can be off leash and roam.
If stuck on a desert island with unlimited access to one food, Shannon says: “I would choose ice cream – not only is it delicious, but it’ll provide me the necessary fats to survive in such a barren environment!”
Keith S. Moheban is a partner with Stinson LLP. He had been involved with his two sons in Boy Scout food drives for many years, and made an annual trip to VEAP each April to deliver the thousands of pounds of food collected by the scouts. Keith believes VEAP has a critical mission and is very effective in providing essential services to those in need. He says the work VEAP does has tangible results and is here because of tremendous effort by many people over many years, and he wants to do his part by serving on the board. In his personal life, Keith finds joy in nature and the outdoors, as well the special people in his life.
If he were stuck on a desert island with unlimited access to one food, Keith would choose: coffee.
Thoa Nguyen is a Strategy & Planning Principal Consultant with Xcel Energy. More bio details coming soon!
Lisa Oster works as a Senior Internal Communications Leader at Jack Link’s, an American snack company. She was drawn to VEAP’s mission and the specific communities we benefit which compelled her to join our board. Lisa enjoys utilizing her talents as a communications professional to support the work VEAP advances. Lisa loves spending time with her husband and children who bring much joy to her life.
If stuck on a desert island with just one food choice, Lisa says: “There is never a day that pizza isn’t an amazing idea! I think if I were on a desert island and had pizza, it would make everything else about being on a desert island seem just a little more manageable!”
Bob Purvis is the retired owner of REPurvis and Associates. He joined VEAP’s board to become involved in helping keep our community strong. His involvement started with VEAP in 2008 working in the warehouse unloading trucks and stocking the pantry which he still does. He later became a member of the Board and eventually Board President during the process of determining to buy our current facility. He finds great joy in helping others improve their living conditions and lives. Bob believes education and a stable home life is critical not only for families but for communities as well.
If he had to choose one food on a desert island, Bob says: “It would probably have to be bananas.”
John Rimstad works for UnitedHealth Group, Population Health Solutions CFO (OptumHealth) as the Director of Finance. He serves on VEAP’s board as a way to have a direct impact in his own community. In his spare time, John enjoys fixing things that are not working properly, and bringing old items back to life.
If John were stuck on a desert island with access to one food, he says he’d choose: “Cereal and milk. Simple but hard to live without.”
Sarah Streitz is a Bilingual High School Math Teacher for Richfield Public Schools. She desired to serve on VEAP’s Board after seeing firsthand as an educator how many students and their families struggle with food insecurity and how this impacts their ability to engage fully at school. In the summer of 2020, Sarah started volunteering at VEAP and was impressed by our commitment to provide healthy food sources. She looks forward to using her experience living in Guatemala and working with Latinx families to continue to expand VEAP’s commitment to providing culturally- relevant food options. Additionally, she wants to find ways to better support young adults in our community who are struggling to meet their basic needs. Sarah loves working with and learning from young people; she especially enjoys watching her son and students play soccer.
Sarah’s desert island food? “Iced lattes with coconut or almond milk – I wouldn’t survive without coffee!”
Dane Taival is the Vice President, Digital & Energy Solutions at Trane. He joined VEAP’s board to make a difference in addressing access to food challenges in the community in which he works. He derives a great deal of joy in working toward what matters to him, which takes many forms in both his professional and personal life. Dane also enjoy sports as both a spectator and participant (“with limited capabilities!”).
If Dane were stuck on a desert island with unlimited access to one food, he says: “If forced to choose only one, it would be pizza.”
Bree Williamson works with BMO Wealth Management as a Director | Private Wealth Advisor to families and organizations. She was compelled to join VEAP’s board for the ability to serve and make a meaningful difference in our community by providing for basic needs including food and housing. Bree’s passions include her husband and three children. She is also an avid runner.
If stuck on a desert island with just one food choice, Bree picks: yucca fries
