President

Tim Gustafson makes his living on the ADDIE model while talking the language of business. He uses experiential learning, initiatives, and debrief-exercises to link training to job expectations. He helps companies establish training standards and capabilities.

Tim began his career 22 years ago with an MS in Training and a desire to help companies' best use the resources they have. Working with companies that outsource their training development, Tim conducts needs analysis, writes proposals, designs programs, develops project plans, develops training and communication materials, facilitates training, and conducts seminars.

Tim can be reached at 952-693-1190, timg@astd-tcc.org, and on the web at linkedin.com/in/timgustafson1 or timgustafson.us.

General responsibilities: Provides vision and direction to the Board of Directors and the Membership.

Terri Cheney started Connect Instructional Design after 10 years as a Workplace Learning and Performance professional. Her work applies current brain research to workplace learning experiences, focusing on the pragmatic impact of training on learners performance back on the job. No one succeeds just by knowing things, she says, Success comes from doing the right things at the right time.

An engaging and energetic facilitator, Terri acquired a taste for applying cutting-edge teaching methods as a program leader for the internationally known Concordia Language Villages, which often serves as a laboratory for developing such techniques. She went on to teach business English at both the School of Business at the University of Rennes, France, and at ESMOD, Frances oldest fashion school.

An active member of ASTD-TCC since 1996, Terri has developed and managed training for classroom, e-learning and blended-learning environments.

Terri can be reached at 651-208-0926 or by e-mail at terric@astd-tcc.org.

General responsibilities: Maintains chapter relationship with Ewald Consulting and ASTD National.

Kathie Pugaczewski is the Vice President of Operations for Ewald Consulting and is ASTD-TCC's Executive Director. Kathie has been working in the association management profession for over 17 years. She worked for the Builders Association of Minnesota (BAM) for 12 years and became the Executive Vice President in 1996.

In 2001, Kathie joined the Midwest Society of Association Executives (MSAE) as their Marketing and Education Director. She has a bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis and completed the Institute for Organization Management at the University of Notre Dame. In December 2003, she earned her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation.

Kathie can be reached at 651-265-7859 or kathiep@astd-tcc.org.

Esther Sykora has been involved in training for 12 years, starting with the design and delivery of basic finance training to professionals across her multi-national company. She is now the development manager for the Finance Organization having responsibility for recruiting, training, and knowledge management activities for that organization. She has a BA in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls and a MBA from the Carlson School of Business. She is also a Certified Managerial Accountant (CMA).

Esther can be reached at 715-425-6282 or esthers@astd-tcc.org.

General responsibilities: Oversees financial matters for the chapter.

Gabriella is a strategic learning leader with 14 years of professional experience developing others through facilitation, coaching, project management, elearning, and instructional design. Her strengths are in taking a "giraffe's eye view" to create a holistic learning solution for the organization's need. From there, she is ready to lead the execution of the solution(s) by providing skills to take the ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Develop, Implement, Evaluate) from start to finish.

Gabriella's work has included experience in the following settings on a national and international scale: University , Corporate , Non-profit , Privately held. For individuals, Gabriella provides resume and interview coaching strategies. Additionally, Gabriella has been an active volunteer with ASTD-TCC since 2004, prior to becoming a board member. On a personal note, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons and dog, reading, watching kids play sports, playing volleyball, walking the dog, and travelling.

General responsibilities: Promotes membership through various marketing initiatives and supports member awareness of ASTD-TCC benefits.

Gabriella can be reached at gabriellab@astd-tcc.org.

Jessica Frier contributes to the Board an extensive background in sales, marketing, and event management. Passionate about people and business development throughout her career, Jessica has worked in various industries including radio broadcasting, commercial print, and real estate before entering the Training industry. She recognizes that while industries vary, there are key foundational elements that are critical to success in all of them – especially training and workplace development. A former Director of Client Solutions for The Bob Pike Group, she understands the bottom-line impact that a strong training and development foundation can bring to an organization.

A life-long student of learning, Jessica attended the University of Mary and the University of North Dakota where she studied Medical Lab Science and Business Administration respectively. An avid member of the local business community, she has been both a leader and a guest speaker in area associations. Jessica has been involved with ASTD since 2004 in various roles on the Conference Planning Committee.

Jessica Frier can be reached at 952-465-4906 or at jessicaf@astd-tcc.org.

General Responsibilities: As Chair of the 2009 Regional Conference, Jessica directs and coordinates the teams that create and manage all aspects of an exciting learning event.

Sharon Leah has been an editor at a Twin Cities publishing company since 1999, and she is in a graduate program at Capella University’s School of Education. Sharon is specializing in training and performance improvement with an emphasis on instructional design. She has a BA in writing from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul.

Sharon Leah can be reached at 651-295-6430 or sharonl@astd-tcc.org.

General Responsibilities: Assist 2009 Regional Conference director and oversee Regional Conference in 2010.

Dr. David Farrar is a psychologist with an international practice as a consultant and professional speaker. David is the founder and President of FGRAssociates, LLC, a network of professionals helping businesses
and individuals successfully manage change and improve performance.

David works with his clients to implement purposeful change and high performance strategies that improve what matters most in their business: customer satisfaction, employee well being, productivity and profitability.

David can be reached at davidf@astd-tcc.org.

Kristin Ford is Owner and President of PC Training Source, an independent consulting company specializing in top quality products and services in the learning industry. The business model is based upon a passion of finding the best possible products and services available in the training and development marketplace to meet each customer’s unique criteria. Kristin has worked with corporations, associations, unions and government agencies to meet and exceed customer expectations.

Kristin is recognized first and foremost as a strategic relationship builder, and believes in leveraging those relationships with integrity in both business and community. In addition to her involvement with ASTD on the board, she has served as a co-chair of the eLearning SIG, and contributor to Spectrum. Kristin serves as Sponsor Chair for the Uptown Art Fair, is a past board member of the Professional Association of Computer Trainers, and a founding board member of Rebuilding Together Twin Cities. Kristin was a recipient of the National Association of Women Business Owner’s “Woman on The Way” award in 2005.

Kristin Ford may be reached at 952-697-3677 or kristinf@astd-tcc.org.

Director of Professional Development

Mary Karlsson’s business, MAK Consulting, focuses on helping business leaders of creative and high performance teams when they don’t live up to their potential. Her goal in working with clients is to help transform their culture by engaging their work groups and teams in a shared dialogue and commitment to a shared vision. The skills she brings to business leaders are organizational analysis, cultural assessment, program evaluation, communications coaching, and facilitation of open team dialogue to develop commitment to strategic plans and shared goals.

Mary Karlsson may be reached at 651-437-1936 or maryk@astd-tcc.org.