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Foundation Board

About Ridgeview
Ridgeview Medical Center is an independent, regional health care network serving the west-metro area. Its network includes the Waconia-based acute care hospital, a multitude of primary and specialty care clinics, emergency services and specialty programs.

Foundation Board

There are hundreds of people who have donated their time and talents over the years to build bridges between the Foundation and our communities. Volunteers continue to help Ridgeview dream about the possibilities and engage our neighbors by organizing special events and leading new initiatives.

We are grateful to the many board and committee members who have supported our broad range of projects and programs to improve the quality of health care offered at Ridgeview Medical Center. 

 

 

David Adinolfi

Board member since 2007

Town of Residence:

Victoria

Profession:
 
Board chair of a technology company; 20 years of experience working in the health care field in cardiovascular medical devices 

Civic Involvement:

Served as a medical corpsman and licensed EMT/paramedic while on active duty in the United States Air Force

“I am extremely impressed by Ridgeview's commitment to quality, innovation and compassion for patients—the key building blocks of a world-class health care organization.”

 

 

Jean Buller

Board member since 2006

Town of Residence:
Chaska

Profession:
Stay-at-home mom; 16 years of experience working in the health care field with financial systems, billing, enrollment and accounting 

Civic Involvement:
Scout master for Boy Scout Troup 330, School District 112, Deer Run Ladies 18 Hole Golf League, Eden Prairie Figure Skating Club, Braemar City of Lakes Figure Skating Club, Pax Christ Catholic Church

“I believe in Ridgeview because it is an independent hospital that is well-respected in the community. I look forward to serving on the Foundation Board because I have a deep interest in health care, a strong work ethic and passion for Ridgeview.”

 

 

Dermot Cowley

Board member since 2010

Town of Residence:
Watertown

Profession:
Dermot is a 27 year veteran of the hospitality industry. He started as a 14 year old in his parents pub in Drogheda, Co. Louth Ireland, progressing to the high-end, frenetic pace of New York City at the world famous Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse. Dermot has served time in every aspect of the restaurant operations from cook to manager, busboy to bartender. He currently owns O'Donovan's Irish Pub, Jake O’Connor’s and Lola’s Lake House. 

Civic Involvement:
Dermot currently sits on the Board of the Waconia Chamber of Commerce and was previously on the Irish Fair of Minnesota Board.

 

 

Stacy Desai

Board member since 2010

Town of Residence:
Eden Prairie

Profession:
Stacy is the managing partner for Equifinality LLC, a boutique consulting firm, which provides organizational development expertise to service and manufacturing organizations. Additionally, she provides executive coaching and leadership development to individuals. Previously, she worked for St. Jude Medical, where she served internally as an organizational development manager. 

Civic Involvement:
Stacy chairs the Friends of the Eden Prairie Art Center fundraising group. With a small group of other community volunteers, the team identifies partnership opportunities with local businesses and hosts annual fundraising efforts to broaden the programming of the new art center in Eden Prairie. Her other community service activities include serving as a volunteer mediator for Community Mediation Services in New Hope. She specializes in cases involving juveniles.

 
 

Laura Flemal

Board member since 2008

Town of Residence:
Watertown

Profession:
Paraprofessional staffing coordinator, Ridgeview Home Health Services

Civic Involvement:
Co-chair of Ridgeview Friends & Family Employee Giving Committee

"This hospital is a big part of my life and serving on the Foundation Board will give me an opportunity to make a difference in the community.”

 
 

Tim Foster

Board member since 2004

Town of Residence:

Eden Prairie

Profession:
Partner, Foster Klima & Company

Civic Involvement:
NAIFA, Ducks Unlimited, chair of Guardian Life Council

“What I see at Ridgeview is a community hospital that has a strong vision and passion to develop one of the best, if not the best, regional health care centers anywhere; it makes sense for all those with vision and passion to support the Medical Center.”

 

 

Mary Frederick

Board member since 2004

Town of Residence:
Excelsior

Profession:

Stay-at-home mom, former office manager for an insurance adjusting firm

Civic Involvement:

Reach to Recovery volunteer with the American Cancer Society, member of Minneapolis Institute of Arts, volunteer with the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer in Navarre

“I love what I see at Ridgeview and what I feel when I am there. As a cancer survivor, and having experienced all of my patient care at Ridgeview, I feel a strong connection to the organization. I am impressed with the growth I have seen over the years and look forward supporting Ridgeview’s future growth as a board member.”

 

 

Michael Gresser

Board member since 2009

Town of Residence:
Eden Prairie

Profession:
Owner, president and CEO of Gresser Companies, Inc. 

Civic Involvement:
Active member in the construction community, currently board member of Parisi Construction, served on the board of directors of the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, guest lecturer at the University of St. Thomas, youth soccer and hockey coach in the Prior Lake Athletics Association

“I believe that Ridgeview Medical Center will play a large role in shaping health care in Minnesota. I look forward to contributing to the growth of the entire organization through my work with Ridgeview Foundation.”

 

 

Katherine Hackett, MD

Board member since 2008

Town of Residence:

Excelsior

Profession:

Pediatrician at Lakeview Clinic, Ltd. Dr. Hackett is board certified in pediatrics, with special interests in developmental and behavioral pediatrics, learning differences and children with special needs. She was selected as one of the “Top Doctors in the Twin Cities” in the 2007 and 2008 listings as published in Mpls. St. Paul Magazine.

Civic Involvement: Very supportive of Ridgeview Foundation, having hosted special events and spoken at gatherings in support of the Transforming Lives Campaign.

“As a pediatrician, my passion is children’s health care and I truly believe in and support Ridgeview Foundation’s Transforming Lives Capital Campaign, which includes fundraising for a new Center for Women & Children at Ridgeview. I have the pleasure of knowing how this Center will take our services for women and children to new levels. It’s the power of philanthropy that allows Ridgeview to develop and maintain the highest level of facilities and technologies necessary to support a regional medical center.”

 

 

Darla J. Holmgren

Board member since 2010

Town of Residence:
Waconia

Profession:
President of the West Market of KleinBank, the largest privately owned bank in Minnesota. The West Market consists of banks in Waconia, St. Bonifacius, Cologne and Norwood Young America. Darla has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and has been with KleinBank for over 15 years specializing in commercial lending. 

Civic Involvement:
Active member of the Waconia Chamber of Commerce, serving as an Ambassador and former Chairperson of the Ambassadors committee. She also volunteers her time for many City of Waconia events and is an active member of Oakwood Community Church in Waconia.

“Ridgeview Medical Center is a major driver of business and development in the Waconia area and surrounding communities. As a local businessperson, I want to support Ridgeview in any way that I can. We are so fortunate to have the level of health care Ridgeview provides which is made possible in part by the work of the Ridgeview Foundation.”

 

Brian Mark, vice chair

Board member since 2006

Town of Residence:
Excelsior

Profession:

Owner, Rollin B. Child Inc.

“Having a first-class health care facility close to home is very important to me; in fact, Ridgeview’s care has made a direct impact on my loved ones. My father had heart health concerns and my father-in-law was a Ridgeview Hospice patient. I’ve joined the board to honor their memories, and I’m excited to do my part to help Ridgeview realize its goals.”

 

 

 

Peter Nelson 

Board member since 2007

Town of Residence:
Waconia

Profession:
Partner of Foster K Partners, LLC.; financial representative, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America

Professional Involvement:

Peter's specialty is guiding individuals and families through the complexities of equity markets. He has worked with privately owned Fortune 100 and 500 companies to educate executives about financial planning. Peter represents a number of local and national charities, helping philanthropists make informed decisions by educating them about the considerations and implications of gifting to charitable organizations.

 

“My stepfather lives with Parkinson’s disease and my mother with breast cancer. These events have not only taught me the importance of quality medical care and education, but I also understand the treasure we have with such a great medical facility in our own backyard. I look forward to the opportunity to combine my professional background with my personal experiences to help Ridgeview Medical Center continue to grow and offer excellent care to our community.”

 

 

Keith Rachey

Board member since 2008

Town of Residence:
Waconia

Profession: 
President of Inetium, a leading provider of information technology strategy, solutions and services.

Civic Involvement:
Active member of the IT services community and serves on the boards of several prominent volunteer organizations.

 

“Like Inetium, Ridgeview has... [grown and prospered, and will continue to]. I am extremely impressed by their innovation, quality and committment to providing the best-possible health care to the communities they serve. I am honored to be a part of the Foundation board and help continue their notable fundraising toward new facilities, technologies and more.”

 

Linda Roebke

Board member since 2000

Town of Residence:
Waconia

Profession:
Educator, assistant program director for the Bush Foundation and the Bush Medical Fellows program

Civic Involvement:
Faith Lutheran Church, Sagasu Book Club, School District 110 Foundation Board

 

“I am so happy to have the opportunity to support Ridgeview Medical Center through the Foundation. We are so fortunate to have this institution in our area. It is a way for me to give back to the community.”

 

Kate Roehl, chair

Board member since 2005

Town of Residence:
Maple Plain

Profession: 
Executive vice president, Lake Region Medical


“I hope to be involved in seeing the Heart Center become a reality and I welcome the opportunity to help with the fundraising effort by telling the Ridgeview story.”

 

 

Mark Schiffman

Board member since 2001

Town of Residence:
Waconia

Profession:
Director of Public Affairs of ACA International and Executive Director of ACA International Education Foundation

President, Drawbridge Consulting, LLC

Civic Involvement:
Former Mayor of Waconia, Waconia Lions Club, youth hockey and baseball coach, Carver County Health Partnership Steering Committee, Metropolitan Council Land Use Advisory Committee, Metropolitan Council Livable Communities Advisory Committee, Metropolitan Council Screening Committee, National League of Cities Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee, Minnesota Twins Board of Directors

 

“Philanthropy is a tremendous tool to help Ridgeview grow and continually improve the services provided to people in the west metro. I am proud and honored to be involved with such a fine group of talented and committed hospital staff and board members.”

 

Randy Schneewind

Board member since 2004

Town of Residence:
Waconia

Profession: 
Owner, Berg Drywall 

Civic Involvement: AGC, AWCI, Ducks Unlimited

 

“I want to try to help strengthen a major cornerstone of our community in any way I can.”

 

 

Charles E. Spevacek

Board member since 2010

Town of Residence:
Shorewood

Profession:
Senior Partner, Meagher & Geer, P.L.L.P., attorneys-at-law. Chuck has over thirty years experience litigating complex commercial cases, with particular emphasis on the trial and appeal of cases involving the insurance industry. His firm has represented the area's doctors and health care institutions in the defense of malpractice actions since its founding over 80 years ago.

Chuck serves on Meagher & Geer's Management Committee. He is a Litigation Counsel of America Fellow, a trial lawyer honorary society, with membership limited to one-half of one percent of American lawyers, by invitation only. 

Civic Involvement:
Active member of the legal community, serving as a frequent speaker at Continuing Legal Education seminars and as a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, the Defense Research Institute and the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association, where he is co-chair of the Insurance Law Committee.

He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Purdue Alumni Association and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Center of the American Experiment. Chuck has taught Sunday School at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, and was a youth baseball coach for South Tonka Little League.

 

Mark Steingas

Board member since 2000

Town of Residence:
Excelsior

Profession:
Owner, Benson-Orth Associates/Coperwood Investments

 

“I chose to join the Foundation Board in order to give back to the community.”

 

 

Larry Wilhelm 

Board member since 2009

Town of Residence:
Victoria

Profession:
Owner and president of Custom HBC Corporation

Civic Involvement:
Has served as president of the Minnetonka Traveling Basketball Association and as a United Way campaign volunteer

 

“I look forward to having the opportunity to make a positive impact on Ridgeview, an organization that provides such an important service to our community. Based on my own life experiences, I have personal interests in neonatal care, hospice care and diabetes.”

 


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