Our Team

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Nancy Hoffman

Nancy’s love of communities provides the passion for her work. She helps businesses to flourish as well as supports communities with economic and community development. Nancy has been in the Economic Development field for over 20 years. She holds a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Studies from Mankato State University. Nancy has been the Executive Director of the Chisago County HRA-EDA since July 2012.

FUN FACTS ABOUT NANCY:

  • Enjoys outdoor activities in the winter and summer including snowshoeing, cross country skiing, golfing, fishing and biking.

  • Love for traveling anywhere, but really enjoys a Minnesota road trip

  • Learning how to live in the country sometimes the hard way but loving it.

  • Being of Swedish descent on her mother’s side, she enjoys living in a region with so much Swedish Heritage.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Nancy Hoffman

Nancy’s love of communities provides the passion for her work. She helps businesses to flourish as well as supports communities with economic and community development. Nancy has been in the Economic Development field for over 20 years. She holds a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Studies from Mankato State University. Nancy has been the Executive Director of the Chisago County HRA-EDA since July 2012.

FUN FACTS ABOUT NANCY:

  • Enjoys outdoor activities in the winter and summer including snowshoeing, cross country skiing, golfing, fishing and biking.

  • Love for traveling anywhere, but really enjoys a Minnesota road trip

  • Learning how to live in the country sometimes the hard way but loving it.

  • Being of Swedish descent on her mother’s side, she enjoys living in a region with so much Swedish Heritage.

PROGRAM & OFFICE MANAGER

Sara Kaminski

Sara has been with Chisago County HRA – EDA for the since 2019 with a degree in Business Management.  Sara administers many community and economic development programs for HRA-EDA and its cities and townships. Her skills in number crunching and attention to detail come in handy at the office as she is responsible for the HRA’s financials along with other organizations that may need assistance. If you are calling the office you will likely hear Sara’s friendly voice on the other end as her customer service is “on-point”.

FUN FACTS ABOUT SARA:

  • Loves the outdoors (mostly in the warmer months) and is active in hiking, biking, camping, swimming, fishing and exploring new places

  • She has two little girls – One has fur and the other does not.

    Sara’s daughter is 11 years old and attends the North Branch School District. Her dog Jade is a Springer Spaniel and is the ripe old age of 13.

  • Enjoys traveling the world and would love pro-tips and suggestions on where to visit next 😉

PROGRAM & OFFICE MANAGER

Sara Kaminski

Sara has been with Chisago County HRA – EDA for the since 2019 with a degree in Business Management.  Sara administers many community and economic development programs for HRA-EDA and its cities and townships. Her skills in number crunching and attention to detail come in handy at the office as she is responsible for the HRA’s financials along with other organizations that may need assistance. If you are calling the office you will likely hear Sara’s friendly voice on the other end as her customer service is “on-point”.

FUN FACTS ABOUT SARA:

  • Loves the outdoors (mostly in the warmer months) and is active in hiking, biking, camping, swimming, fishing and exploring new places

  • She has two little girls – One has fur and the other does not.    Sara’s daughter is 11 years old and attends the North Branch School District. Her dog Jade is a Springer Spaniel and is the ripe old age of 13.

  • Enjoys traveling the world and would love pro-tips and suggestions on where to visit next 😉

BUSINESS CONSULTANT

Kathy Lindo

Kathy joined Chisago County HRA-EDA in 2020 to assist in processing the COVID Relief Grants to small businesses throughout the county.  Through her work with the HRA EDA, in 2021, she became a Business Consultant for the North Central SBDC. She is housed out of the HRA EDA office located in North Branch and primarily consults clients in Chisago County.  Kathy brings a wealth of knowledge and business experience to the organization as she was a business owner herself and the Executive Director of the North Branch Area Chamber of Commerce for over 18 years.

FUN FACTS ABOUT KATHY:

  • Kathy is married and has 3 children and 7 grandchildren

  • Kathy loves learning new things and finds enjoyment in solving problems no matter how big or small the challenge

  • Enjoys the accomplishments of others when they fulfil their goals or dreams

  • Off the clock, traveling and sailing are Kathy’s favorite pastimes (after family of course)

  • Kathy continues to fail at retirement 😉

BUSINESS CONSULTANT

Kathy Lindo

Kathy joined Chisago County HRA-EDA in 2020 to assist in processing the COVID Relief Grants to small businesses throughout the county.  Through her work with the HRA EDA, in 2021, she became a Business Consultant for the North Central SBDC. She is housed out of the HRA EDA office located in North Branch and primarily consults clients in Chisago County.  Kathy brings a wealth of knowledge and business experience to the organization as she was a business owner herself and the Executive Director of the North Branch Area Chamber of Commerce for over 18 years.

FUN FACTS ABOUT KATHY:

  • Kathy is married and has 3 children and 7 grandchildren

  • Kathy loves learning new things and finds enjoyment in solving problems no matter how big or small the challenge

  • Enjoys the accomplishments of others when they fulfil their goals or dreams

  • Off the clock, traveling and sailing are Kathy’s favorite pastimes (after family of course)

  • Kathy continues to fail at retirement 😉

STUDENT INTERN

Drake Mellen

Drake is eager to help his community within Chisago County position. He is a senior at North Branch Area High School and has been a resident of North Branch his entire life. Drake is involved with school clubs such as the National Honor Society and Student Council.

FUN FACTS ABOUT DRAKE:

  • He is captain of the NBAHS Tennis Team and takes part in Knowledge Bowl 

  • Proud uncle to five nieces 

  • Enjoys skating in the winter and everything else about the Summer

STUDENT INTERN

Drake Mellen

Drake is eager to help his community within Chisago County position. He is a senior at North Branch Area High School and has been a resident of North Branch his entire life. Drake is involved with school clubs such as the National Honor Society and Student Council

FUN FACTS ABOUT DRAKE:

  • He is captain of the NBAHS Tennis Team and takes part in Knowledge Bowl

  • Proud uncle to five nieces

  • Enjoys skating in the winter and everything else about the Summer

HRA-EDA
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS

1ST DISTRICT

Term Expires: 12/31/2028

NATHAN
KEECH – CHAIRMAN

Business Owner – Kreativ HQ

Phone: 612-643-0909
Email: [email protected]

I am an entrepreneur at heart and I’m passionate to see other businesses flourish in our area. I serve on the HRA / EDA board because I share a vision with others to see our area prosper by attracting new businesses and helping foster relationships that serve our greater purpose. I moved to Chisago County in 2018 and love the beauty of our area with the rich landscapes of fields, forests, and lakes. I serve on other various boards and commissions and love to give back to the community of hard workers like myself.

2ND DISTRICT

Term Expires: 12/31/2029

CATHY
CAPONE
BENNETT

Planning and Real Estate Consultant

Phone: 612-670-8147
Email: [email protected]

As a planning and real estate consultant, Ms. Bennett has over 30 years of experience in private-public alliances, program development, transit-oriented development and project management in all facets of housing policy, development and redevelopment planning and strategic implementation. Since moving to Minnesota 24 years ago, I have lived in Chisago City, raised my two children in Chisago Lakes School and fell in love with the lakes, access to nature and family oriented community activities. I realize that housing is expensive in the county and the majority of people commute outside the county for work. I serve on the HRA-EDA to utilize my professional experience in helping to increase job opportunities and support affordable and attainable housing to ensure an economically competitive and livable county.

3RD DISTRICT

Term Expires: 12/31/2026

CHRISTOPHER
DUBOSE

Real Estate Broker

Phone: 651-208-6054
Email: [email protected]

Chris is not your average Realtor! As a former two-term mayor of Chisago City, a retired air traffic controller, and a licensed pilot, he has accomplished quite a bit in just 40+ years. His experience in city government has given him an indepth knowledge of the development process, and what it takes to make large real estate deals come together. Consequently, he has been successful in consulting with buyers and sellers in these complicated transactions – both on and off the water.

His main focus, however, is in helping waterfront buyers and sellers with cabins, homes, lots and large tracts of lakeshore and riverfront land…from the northern perimeter of the Twin Cities to areas such as Chisago Lakes, Forest Lake, Pine City, Cambridge – and throughout Northwestern Wisconsin. He is also familiar with most of the lakes surrounding Minneapolis, St. Paul and their suburbs.

HRA-EDA
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS

4TH DISTRICT

Term Expires: 12/31/2027

CHAD
LINDGREN

President – Bell Bank

Phone: 651-829-1362
Email: [email protected]

Chisago County offers the convenience of being close to services and commerce for our residents’ day to day needs. In addition, there are  job opportunities available without the need to commute to the “Cities”. Chisago County is a wonderful place to call home, and even a better place to raise a family. We have wonderful stakeholders that continue to invest and support local initiatives. We continue to look for ways to promote everything Chisago County has to offer our residents, employers, and visitors who may one day call Chisago County home.

5TH DISTRICT

Term Expires: 12/31/2025

DANIEL
HOFFMAN

Retired

Phone: 763-300-4197
Email: [email protected]

I believe my career as a City Administrator contributes to the Chisago County HRA’s work work in housing and economic development. I believe serving on the Board after retiring helps me give back to the community.

1ST DISTRICT

NATHAN KEECH

2ND DISTRICT

JIM STEIN

3RD DISTRICT

CATHY CAPONE BENNETT

4TH DISTRICT

CHAD LINDGREN

5TH DISTRICT

DANIEL HOFFMAN, CHAIRMAN

HRA-EDA CHISAGO COUNTY
COMMISSIONER LIAISONS

COUNTY BOARD REP.

RICK GREENE

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COUNTY BOARD REP.

MARLYS DUNNE

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COUNTY BOARD REP.

RICK GREEN

COUNTY BOARD REP.

MARLYS DUNNE