
World Snow Celebration
STEERING COMMITTEE
The Steering Committee is a dedicated group of individuals who help to organize the event. They are responsible for setting the rules and regulations, ensuring the event runs smoothly, and providing guidance to the organizers.

Aimee Pelletier
Aimee grew up in No. St. Paul and graduated from UW Madison with a degree in Interior Design. She worked in the corporate world designing spaces and selling office furniture for 15 years before she decided to open a yarn store in 2009. Darn Knit Anyway is located on Main Street in Stillwater. The business has grown over the years and has expanded to include a robust online store as well as a Maker's Lounge. Throughout her 14 years on Main Street she was the chair of the Stillwater Parking Commission and was on the board of the now dissolved Mainstreet Stillwater Independent Business Alliance. She and her husband are enjoying a recent empty nest now that their two kids are college bound. She lives in Somerset, WI.

Anissa Raleigh
Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce Ambassador & community member involved as volunteer or committee member in many local festivities. Excited to bring WSSC to Stillwater!

Andre Bessette
Andre has worked for River Market Community Co-op for 18 years, in marketing for much of that time and is currently serving as IT Director. He is proud to be a resident of Stillwater and a member of this wonderful community. He is also a web developer and enjoys learning new technologies and solving problems and puzzles.
He loves the outdoors, exploring the local parks and playing pinball.

Carrie Higgs
Carrie Higgs has worked with Cub since 2009, serving in many roles, most recently as the Director of Community Relations since 2018. She has worked through all of Cub’s footprint, emphasizing the importance of intertwining community and business through the Cub Foods experience. Recently Carrie presented at the Top Women in Grocery Conference about charitable work helping your community and building bonds within your organization. She is an expert in how to foster a giving culture and encouraging employees to get involved. Before Cub Carrie worked with SuperValu and Tires Plus after receiving her degree from University of Minnesota Duluth.

Chad Junker
More about Chad coming soon!

Chad Rogness
"I am a life long resident of the city of Stillwater, born and raised. My love for this town has guided me most my life. I have passed up many jobs and other opportunities outside of Stillwater, as part of my loyalty to our town. My wife Jen and I are very adventurous, constantly enjoying the wonderful activities, Stillwater has to offer. I have also spent many hours on the ball fields with my son Carter and daughter Charli. The St. Croix River seems to flow through all of our veins."

Chris Klein
Chris has lived in the area all his life. He has been helping with World Snow since the beginning.
Along with his full-time job, with Midstate Excavating, he has his own excavating company and is on the Lake Elmo Fire Department as an Engineer.
Chris enjoys being active, especially in the outdoors camping, hiking and antique tractor pulls.

Chuck Dougherty
Chuck, along with his wife Judy, own and operate the Water Street Inn in Stillwater and the Cover Park Manor Bed & Breakfast in Oak Park Heights. He also serves on the Oak Park Heights City Council, President of the Stillwater / Oak Park Heights Convention & Visitors Bureau, Member of the Stillwater Chamber Board and on Explore Minnesota Statewide Tourism Advisory Board.

Cody DeNucci
I grew up in Luck Wisconsin. My parents owned a business called "DeNucci's 35 Villa". That is where I learned that being a part of my community brought happiness into my life. After high school I played 2 years of college football at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. In year 2 an injury ended my career, so i decided to enter the workforce. In 2005 I married a wonderful woman named Megan. We moved to Osceola, WI where she was from. In 2006 I started a job as a seasonal employee for the City of Stillwater Public Works Department and in November of that year I was hired on full time. I have been working with the Public Works Department ever since. In those 19 years my wife an I have had 3 children. Lillyan (16), Grayson (15) and Waylon (11). These kids keep us very busy with every sport you can imagine. I volunteer coaching in my free time and I also love to hunt and fish. I am now the Assistant Public Works Superintendent and look to continue serving the Stillwater community for years to come.

Cory Buettner
Cory grew up in St. Cloud as the youngest of 11 children and studied business at St Cloud State University. He has lived in the Stillwater area for over 24 years with his wife and two boys. They have owned Leo’s Grill & Malt Shop for 16 years and Gloria’s, their Soft Serve Ice Cream stand, for two years now. During these years he has found it both enjoyable and fulfilling to help organize and execute events in Stillwater and is currently the President of Summer Tuesdays, Inc., which has been a market, music and movie event for over 22 years in Stillwater. That same organization also hosts Stillwater Harvest Fest & Giant Pumpkin Weigh- Off and an annual food competition and fundraiser called Best Wings in the Valley. Recently Cory has joined the Stillwater Veterans Memorial Board as its Treasurer.
Cory absolutely loves volunteering for World Snow with the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce and its Foundation as it is a true collaboration of the arts, the business community and the City of Stillwater.

Danielle Doughtery
Danielle Dougherty is a longtime resident of the St. Croix Valley. She currently lives with her two children and volunteers with several local non-profits.

Doug Caywood
Doug Caywood spent over 30 years working for Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft. After retiring, he started a consulting firm, (The NxGen Group, LLC.), focused on helping small and medium Manufacturers leverage leading edge “Smart Technologies & Manufacturing Practices” in their operations to increase competitiveness and environmental sustainability. Doug is very passionate about Stillwater and is proud to be involved in creating unique experiences that highlight all that Stillwater has to offer. Doug and his wife Donna have lived in Stillwater since 1994. Donna works for Thomas-Grace, a national commercial construction firm focused in the retail industry. They have raised four children who all attended Stillwater Schools.

Eric Hoffman
Entrepreneur 360 Award Recipient from Entrepreneur Magazine as a technology leader known for innovation and web product development expertise with deep experience in Compliance, Security, Amazon Web Services & Cloud technologies, along with DevOps and Agile methodologies.

Jennifer Rogness
Jen is an outgoing, ambitious, and motivated professional based in the St Croix River Valley area. Jen began her real estate career several years ago, following a 20 year career as a veterinary technician, and she has excelled in her career and has developed a strong passion for helping clients find their dream homes, along with helping clients market their homes properly in order to sell in a very competitive market. Jen brings a blend of dedication and expertise to the industry, reflecting her entrepreneurial spirit and hard work. Jen has been an active member and ambassador of the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce for 13 years. Married for 12 years to her husband Chad, she is also a devoted step-parent to two wonderful children.
Beyond her thriving career, Jen enjoys an active lifestyle, including running, working out, and competing in horseback riding events. As an avid dog lover and a great friend to many, she cherishes the blessings in her life, always striving to embody a happy, rockstar attitude.

Jen McCormick
"I grew up in So. St. Paul and went to college at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. I have lived in the Stillwater area for 20 years with my husband and 3 children. Working part-time while raising my kids allowed me the opportunity to pursue my passion to volunteer and plan fundraising events for a variety of groups including Rutherford Elementary, Youth Advantage and Ponies Football. I began working with Discover Stillwater almost 5 years ago and have absolutely loved promoting our beautiful town. My primary responsibilities in this role are Events Calendar management, information distribution, social media content and creation, customer service and project assistance. I look forward to collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce in an effort to provide the best experience possible for our tourists and our community."

Jennifer Sayers
Jennifer is a diligent leader with years of experience in service and guest experience. Jennifer values relationships and enjoys lending support to others. Working for the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, she is passionate about serving the community and sharing all the wonderful opportunities we have to offer local residents, businesses and our visitors.

Jen Hesselink
Jen grew up in Hudson, where she spent a lot of time boating on the St. Croix River with her family. She enjoys all things outdoors and is a proud mother of two children and grandmother to six grandchildren. Jen shares her home with two dogs, two cats, six chickens, and a horse. A passionate volunteer, she regularly dedicates her time to various organizations, including World Snow Celebration.
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Jesse Kimes
More on Jesse coming soon!

Kristen Mollan
Kristen Mollan has over a decade of experience as a public health leader and Manager in the Community Health & Partnerships Department at HealthPartners, where she collaborates with community partners and supports strategies and programs that improve community health and well-being.

Paul Larson
More about Paul coming soon!

Lindsay Belland
"With a degree in Marketing and Communications from the College of Saint Catherine and over 10 years’ experience in client focused, service and administrative positions; I thrive in high-pressure, fast paced environments. I support honesty, dependability, communication and community at the center of all my work. It is always my goal to work hard and always continue learning, while upholding myself to a high ethical standard. Outside of work I am a creative, artsy, outgoing individual and mother of three. Both individually and as a family I volunteer my time in the efforts of feeding the homeless and ending diseases. Seasonally; I sing Second Soprano with the River City Chorale."

Mark Schwartz
Hi, I’m Mark. I was born and raised in Bayport, where I grew up in a family rooted in service—between law enforcement, Andersen Windows, and our local fire department. My dad served as Bayport’s fire chief for 30 years, and I spent much of my childhood in and around those stations, learning the values of dedication, leadership, and community.
I’m a Project Manager at Market & Johnson, where I bring that same sense of purpose and teamwork to every project I lead. One of the most rewarding parts of my work is building strong relationships—with both new and longtime local business owners—to support their visions and help our community thrive. My wife Alicia and share a crazy life with busy jobs and have three teenage boys. We are on the go at all times chasing sports and races and we love it.

Michael Wilhelmi
Michael Wilhelmi is the Community Relations Manager for Xcel Energy in 50 northeast metro communities. Michael's experience is working with local government leaders in the St. Croix Valley. He has guided several projects through public processes and built a network of friends and business associates throughout the valley communities.

Michaela Mueller
Michaela Mueller leads the marketing team at TRIA Orthopedics and is a dynamic, community-minded marketing leader with a proven track record of driving growth, fostering collaboration, and developing innovative strategies. With more than 15 years of healthcare experience across HealthPartners, Medtronic, and TRIA, she has helped elevate brand presence, strengthen community partnerships, and deliver meaningful results. She holds an MBA from the University of Minnesota, blending strategic thinking with creative problem-solving to navigate complex and evolving market landscapes.
At TRIA Orthopedics, Michaela champions initiatives that connect care to community—helping Minnesotans live healthier, more active lives. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she’s passionate about mentorship and service, serving as Board Chairperson for the Family Enhancement Center. She also dedicates time to developing young leaders through coaching and volunteerism.
Outside of work, Michaela embraces the spirit of Minnesota living—whether spending weekends at the cabin, exploring new local restaurants, or planning a favorite “staycation” in Stillwater, MN. She loves wandering through antique shops, taking in the beautiful riverside views. She and her husband Dylan and live in Plymouth with their two daughters.

Nicolas Barratt
I was born in California but moved to Stillwater when I was 2 years Old. I have lived in the St. Croix Valley my whole life. I went to school to be an EMT in 1995 and then went on to Paramedic School in 2000. I started working at Lakeview in 2001. I also have worked in Chisago county as a Paramedic. I went back to school in 2005 for Architectural Drafting. I worked for 2 years as an Architectural Drafter but realized I missed being a paramedic full time. I came back full time to lakeview in January of 2008. I am currently the Operations Supervisor at Lakeview EMS as well as the Paramedic Team Lead for Washington County SWAT since 2014. I live in Bayport with my wife 2 kids and a dog. We have 4 kids two adult children Michelle and Hannah and then Keanna and Jayden. I love to Fish, Golf and spend time on the water with my family. I own a small business building custom fishing rods.

Patrick Lofboom
"Stillwater is a community that we are honored to be apart of. After watching how this amazing team puts on this even from the sideslines, I was accepted to be apart of the team. This event is something that brings a unique event to our community that draws in people fronm local and from afar. As far as personal life; I live in Bayport with my wife, Emily, and our two kids. I work as a Program Manager at Polaris Headquarters in Plymouth. I'm excited to be apart of the Steering team and honored to represent our community."

Randy Gutzmann
Randy has spent his entire career planning and producing activities and events designed to entertain, inform and sometimes educate people about places, other people and products they produce - University of Minnesota-Technical Communication. Advertising, Marketing, Festival and Event Production, Festival and Event Training, Association Management.
Randy brings a lifetime of experience that he loves to share with others. It was very purposeful to make his home in Stillwater and he has dedicated the second half of his life to participate in as many civic activities as possible.

Robin Anthony
Robin serves as the President of the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce where she began in 2016. Prior to that she worked twelve years in local and state government, 8 years in global consulting, and 6 years as a small business owner building a business from the ground up. She is a self-starter and team-player fostering collaboration, ability to multi-task, and to successfully work in fast-paced organizations. She has a passion for the community and has lived in Stillwater for over 33 years. Robin has two children and two grandchildren.

Sara Jespersen
Sara grew up in a northern Minnesota mining town where she learned the value of hard work, the healing powers of the deep woods, and importance of a connected community. She loves a good challenge and is certain to push her physical and mental strength with unique challenges every year. Her family: Nathan, Astoria, & Elianah, fill her life with joy. Sara, along with her husband, have co-owned several Anytime Fitness Centers since 2005. She founded Look Good Naked Training which was later rebranded as Trumi Training. She and her husband launched the Trumi Franchise system. She was a virtual trainer for Wellbeats; a virtual fitness experience. In December of 2019 Sara ventured into the world of hospitality, by opening The Lumberjack, an axe-throwing bar, and in 2021 Mad Capper. Her and Nathan also own three vacation rentals in Stillwater.

Stacie Jensen
"Proud to be the communications manager for the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce. My role at the Chamber allows me to bridge business and community through marketing of our members, mission and events.
At the Chamber, I am also Chair of the Women's Business Bridge, the largest gathering of women in the St. Croix Valley - currently 100+ women business professional members - who connect, learn & grow each month!
I put a creative twist on marketing, branding, and social media, to engage our audience!"

Tad Greenlee
I was born in California and grew up in South Dakota. I attended college at Winona State University, where I quickly fell in love with the charm of Minnesota's river towns. After visiting Stillwater during my college years, I knew I would eventually want to make a place like this my home. I have been working in the Audio-Visual (AV) industry since the early 1990s. For the past 15 years, I have been with Alchemy Sound and Vision, where I have experience in sales, design, programming, and integration. For fun, I try to avoid chores.

Tim Siegle
Tim Siegle began as CEO of First Resource Bank at the start of 2020. Tim was previously the Chairman and CEO of United Valley Bank (Cavalier, ND), where he joined in 1996. Under his management, United Valley Bank grew from $40 million in total assets to over $450 million. Siegle is a Director for the Bank Holding Company Association and is a prior President of the North Dakota Bankers Association.

Timothy Safe
"I am a local Independent Insurance Broker with over 17 years experience as an insurance agent. Specializing in Auto, Home, Life, Business. I love to meet with people to review their current insurance coverage, explain they benefit from it and make any suggestions to insure all of their needs are met.
I live here in Stillwater with my wife and three daughters. We spend most of our time traveling for volleyball, soccer and softball.
Proud supporter of American Cancer Society's Relay for Life along with Stillwater Pony Athletics. I am also a member of Stillwater Elks #179."

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