Get Involved

Getting involved with Greater Mankato Growth

There are many ways to become involved with our organization. Becoming a member of Greater Mankato Growth and participating in a variety of programs and events, as well as taking advantage of the many marketing opportunities offered throughout the year are all great ways to expand your network, build relationships, and develop upon your skillsets.

Serving as a volunteer on our boards and committees is an additional way to take your involvement to the next level. Take a look at the ways you can help make a positive impact on the Greater Mankato community when you become a Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. volunteer.

Greater Mankato Ambassadors

Greater Mankato Ambassadors serve as a greeting arm of Greater Mankato Growth that promotes our community and encourages expansion of established, as well as the development of new businesses in Greater Mankato. The Ambassadors visit businesses that are new to the area, move to a new location, have a major reinvestment in their property, or are holding a major celebration.

Ambassadors meet monthly over lunch and share experiences from their visits. If you work for a Greater Mankato Growth member business at Engaged level or higher, and are interested in becoming an Ambassador, click here to apply.

JO Guck Bailey, Sign Pro / JGBailey Communications
Amber Goblirsch, Open Door Health Center
Bruce Gratz, Bethany Lutheran College
Fred Lutz, Retired
Claire Patterson, Mankato Clinic
Leah Pockrandt, American Red Cross
Tami Reuter, MRCI
Jon Teeslink, Snell Motors
Christi Wilking, Mayo Clinic Health System

Nicole Bardon, Hatanpa State Farm
Bob Beadell, Community Bank Mankato
Roxanne Birr, Luxe Quarterlies
Jess Blais, APX Construction Group
Tammy Bohlke, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Shawn Boyle, Schwickert’s Tecta America
Alan Cole, University Square Mall & Apartments
Jerrel Flanagan, MEI
Gail Flohrs, River Hills Hotel
Laurie Folsom, Lager’s Chrysler World
Shelli Foster, Condux
Kathy Gerber, BENCO Electric
Sam Gett, Consolidated Communications
Kaaren Grabianowski, Minnesota River Builders Association
Jordan Greer-Friesz, The Free Press
Dr. Murphy Grotewold, Carlson-Tillisch Eye Clinic
Erik Hagedorn, West Bank
Jim Hanson, South Central College
Sadie Haufdahl, Lau Insurance Services
Nicole Hinz, MinnStar Bank
Dr. Cuong Huynh, Discover Chiropractic
Jacob Jaeger, BankVista
Lance Jeppson, Pioneer Bank
Carrie Kijenski, True Real Estate / Loyola Catholic School
Devin Krienke, Devin Krienke & Associates LLC
Andy Lundquist
Tabitha Melvin, Primerica
Judi Meyer, Weichert Realtors, Community Group
Mark Mitzel, Profinium, Inc.
Katie Mons, Junior Achievement North – Greater Mankato Area
Candace Norton, Gislason & Hunter LLP
Debbie Ogren, The Integrity Real Estate Group
Liz Paul, Greater Mankato United Way
Erin Pietz, Kato Moving & Storage – Mayflower
Ramon Pinero, Northwestern Mutual
Tamera Saar, Old National Bank
Andy Schreiner, Clifton Larson Allen
Jake Schrom, Kitchen, Baths, and More
Lee Schuster, Office Space Design
Benjamin Suker, Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union
Karen Toft, True Real Estate
Maribel Torres, Mayo Clinic Health System
Victoria Vogel, Hilton Garden Inn
Jennifer Wanderscheid, Workspace on 3
Jessica Watts, Begalka + Swanson, PC

Cavaliers

Greater Mankato Cavaliers provide activities that encourage member involvement, networking, and retention. Cavaliers welcome new members to our organization and serve as friendly greeters at Business After Hours events held every month.

Cavaliers meet monthly over lunch and share experiences from their visits. If you work for a Greater Mankato Growth member business at Engaged level or higher, and are interested in becoming a Cavalier, click here to apply.

Dan Baker, CENTURY 21 Atwood Realty, Inc.
Jenn Faust, Eide Bailly LLP
Carrie Flanagan, Volk Transfer, Inc.
Rick Harbarth, Compeer Financial
Joy Kelley, Ploog Electric
Megan Lange, Brown & Brown of MN
Amber Pietan, Amber Pietan Travel Agency
Judy Ringler Mountain, New York Life Insurance Company
Lori Rieff, CENTURY 21 Atwood Realty, Inc
Kathy Sanger, Rasmussen College
Kris Simpson, MRCI
Liz Thiesse, The Landline Company

Erin Aanenson, South Central College
Tara Berg, Greater Mankato United Way
Hannah Bo, Connect Real Estate Group
Gabrielle Cohrs, Globe Family Heritage
Tami Gay, Carlson-Tillisch Eye Clinic
Chantal Heetland, Century 21
Lisa Hoffman Wojcik, LEEP
Nate Host, APX Construction Group
Brittany Johnson, Schmidt Siding and Window
Kate Kelley, Farrish Johnson Law Office
Lea Kleinschmidt, Birkholz Law
Steve Lawrence, PrimeSource Funding
Leah Macgregor, Spherion Staffing Services
David McCandless, Primerica
Jean Noren, Gustavus Adolphus College
Shannon Nuy, Schwickert’s Tecta America
Sheila Ous, Minnesota Valley Action Council
Bobby Oxford, Premier Restoration
Brett Prescher, Radio Mankato
Mike Schwinghammer, KEYC News Now
Alyssa Thompson, CLA
Becky Wagner, Connect Business Magazine
Matt Zebro, Frandsen Bank & Trust

Serving on a Board of Directors

Serving on a board of directors is a wonderful opportunity to take part in supporting and strengthening the Greater Mankato community. It can be a powerful way for leaders to develop and grow a network of peers and professional connections, as well as to cultivate new skillsets.

There are four boards that support the Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. Applications are typically accepted in the last quarter of each year. If you would like to learn more, please contact Greater Mankato Growth.

Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. is governed by a board made up of an intentional composition of stakeholders representing the diverse mix of businesses within the marketplace. GMG’s mission is to support and promote the economic growth and vitality of our members and the regional marketplace.

Monthly board meetings are regularly scheduled on the third Thursday of each month from 7:00 am to 8:30 am. 

 Visit Mankato, LLC is governed by a 16-member board of governors made up of a precise composition of stakeholders representing the tourism industry and marketplace. Visit Mankato’s Mission is to lead the development of the visitor economy in Greater Mankato.

Monthly Board meetings are held the fourth Thursday of each month at 8:00 am Eligibility requirements include alignment with an open seat and ability to meet during the regular Board meeting times.

City Center Partnership, LLC is governed by a board of governors committed to furthering the Partnership’s goal to promote collaboration and foster investment in the City Center to attract and support the growth of a diverse array of business, customers, visitors, and residents to the region.

The Board generally meets the fourth Tuesday of selected months from 8 to 9:30 am; board members are asked to serve on at least one committee, with most committees meeting monthly.

GreenSeam, LLC is governed by a 20-member board made up of an intentional composition of stakeholders representing the diverse mix of entities within the GreenSeam region (southern Minnesota and northern Iowa). GreenSeam’s vision is to shape the future of agriculture, businesses, and communities in the region and elevate our region as the world-class food and agribusiness epicenter.

If you are interested in learning more or getting involved, please email or call 507-385-6640.

Committees 

Committee members support specific initiatives that help carry out the mission of the business units within Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. Their time, knowledge, and skills make an incredible impact on our organization and our community. Committments vary by committee.

Our advocacy volunteers provide leadership and expertise to guide and advance Greater Mankato Growth’s advocacy initiatives. Volunteers are made up of diverse business and political backgrounds.

To learn more about being a part of this committee, contact Andy Wilke.

Aesthetics & Livability works to uphold attractive and inviting City Center for visitors and residents. Key projects include Adopt-a-Planter, CityDesign Awards, Arts & Historic District Dialogue, Open Space Plan, Wayfinding & Connectivity, and Historic Walking Tours.  To learn more about getting involved with the Aesthetics & Vitality Committee, call 507-385-6640.

Business Development & Retention works to enhance the City Center as a viable place for business and investments. The committee transitioned to a “Business Walk” model in 2017, with four targeted neighborhood walks planned in 2017 to gather a significant amount of information and make impactful contact with business owners in a short amount of time. To learn more about getting involved with the Business Development & Livability Committee, call 507-385-6640.

CityArt is a joint venture with Twin Rivers Council for the Arts and works to provide free and accessible public art throughout the City Center. Committee members are expected to assist with attaining sponsorships. Key projects include CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour, CityArt on the Go, and the public art tour.  To learn more about getting involved with CityArt Committee, call 507-385-6640.

GreenSeam operates four separate committees driving GreenSeam’s strategic initiatives: Business Expansion & Retention; Business Attraction & Creation; Talent Development, Retention & Attraction; and Regional Branding & Promotion.

To learn more about joining one of the GreenSeam committees, email [email protected] or call 507-385-6672.

The Mankato Marathon Taskforce is a group of running enthusiasts who support Visit Mankato, owners of the Mankato Marathon, with many different aspects of the planning process. This dedicated group lends their experiences all throughout the year, from the course, experiences along the course and at the finish line, swag concepts, medal design, and beyond.

To learn more about getting involved with the Mankato Marathon Taskforce, contact Joy Leafblad.

Other Ways to Get Involved

Mankato Marathon Event Volunteer
It takes nearly 500 volunteers to keep the Mankato Marathon event running. From course marshals to water stations, packet pick-up to finish line volunteers, we have something for everyone. Click here to view volunteer opportunities.

Business and Economic Development Engagement
Opportunities to get involved in economic development activities are listed here.

Event Support
The business units that make up Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. host several events throughout the year. If you are interested in assisting with the setup, take down, or other logistical support, call 507-385-6640.

Waterstop Volunteers at the Mankato Marathon

Greater Mankato

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