Events Calendar | Links & Resources

Who We Are
- Staff & Commission
- Providing the level of quality service their communities have come to expect.
- Mission
  The mission of the Region Five Development Commission is to provide high quality, professional planning and development services.
- History
  The Region Five Development Commission was established in 1973. Continue to Read More.
What We Do
- Departments
  Business Financing Community Development Economic Development Well Water & Septic Lending Transportation
About the Region
- Our Legislators
  Read about our regions legislators.
- Region Map
  The five-county area is blessed with an abundance of business, industry, cultural and natural resources.
News & Events
- Calendar
- Press Releases
  Current news from around the five county region. Here you can also check out the Regional Energy Newsletter and more!
- Surveys
  Do your part and help us prioritize the importance of current and proposed programming.
Department Forms & Resources
Contact Us

Staff & Commission

Our Staff Providing the level of quality service their communities have come to expect.

Chair

Bob Kangas
Cass County Commissioner

Vice Chair & Secretary

Brian Lehman
Crow Wing County Municipalities

Treasurer

Alan Perish
Todd County Town Boards

Director

Tom Wenzel
Morrison County Commissioner

Director

Bill Kern
Wadena County Town Boards

Director

Sharon Ballou
Region Five School Boards

Director

Gary Greenheck

Cass County Municipalities

Joel Quance
Todd County Municipalities

John Benson
Cass County Town Boards

Lane Waldahl
Wadena County Commissioner

Chuck Parins
Morrison County Area Council of Government

Mark Blessing

Todd County Commissioner

Katy Botz
Region Five School Boards

Bob Becker
SWCD

Paul Nieman, Jr.
Morrison County Town Boards

Mark Platta
Crow Wing County Town Boards

David Anderson

Wadena County Municipalities

Rosemary Franzen
Crow Wing County Commissioner

Lucy Nesheim
City of Brainerd

Andrea Lauer
Morrison County Municipalities

Craig Nathan
MN Workforce Representative

Rebecca Best
Higher Education

Randy Finn

Leech Lake Band Ojibwe

Staff Directory

	Cheryal Lee Hills Executive Director Email 218-894-3233 Ext. 1	Cheryal provides program development, program implementation, organization planning, financial planning and oversight, communication to Commission and the five counties served by Region Five and staff supervision. Previously Cheryal held the position of the Executive Director of the Mid-Minnesota Builders Association is a small business owner and has experience in marketing, sales and business consulting.

	Anne Hanson Commission Coordinator Email 218-894-3233 Ext. 3	Anne comes to Region Five after 32 years with the Postal Service, where she was the postal liaison to Morrison County for the 911 Enhanced Addressing System. Anne has an A.A. degree in accounting from Central Lakes College, and at Region Five she manages the Individual Sewage Treatment System (ISTS) program and assists the director in the Economic Development Department.

	Joe Schulte Business & Loan Developer Email 218-894-3233 Ext. 2	Joe brings to Region Five his experience as an administrator with a 27-year record of success overseeing all phases of multimillion-dollar retail and service organizations. His executive management experience leading sales organizations and national service teams to exceed revenue and profit goals has a proven track record of driving multimillion-dollar growth and global expansion. Joe’s strong command of business protocols and his relationship building skillset brings specialization in developing and negotiating strategies. Backed by strong executive leadership credentials with two of America’s largest employers, Joe will manage all aspects of loan development for R5DC. This position in addition manages the daily operations of the Individual Septic Treatment System (ISTS) and the Household Well Water Program (HWWP) plus any new loan programs that evolve at Region 5.

	Nicky Larson Finance Director Email 218-894-3233 Ext. 6	Nicky received her B.S. in Accounting from Bemidji State University in 2004, and has worked in both public and private accounting since 2001. In 2008 Nicky joined Region Five and currently oversees all financial aspects of the Organization including developing and maintaining a complete set of accounting books, monthly financial statements of revenue and expenses, monthly, quarterly, and year-end closings, and audit scheduling and development.

	Melissa Radermacher Finance Assistant Email 218-894-3233 Ext. 7	Melissa comes to Region Five with over seven years of experience in accounting and banking. Along with her responsiblilities with loan payments, accounts payable and receivable, and payroll taxes, she also assists the Finance Director with accounting and financial duties, as well as the setup of new loan programs and loan administration. When not at Region Five, Melissa is busy running the office of the flooring installation company she and her husband own in Staples, Minnesota.

	Tad Erickson Community Economic Development Planner Email 218-894-3233 Ext. 5	Tad earned his Bachelor's degree in Finance from Pensacola Christian College in 2009. He worked for the City of Little Falls as an intern for 3 years. Tad is currently serving on the Planning Commission for the City of Brainerd, and is a member of the American Planning Association, as well as the Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Lakes Vybe.

	Jake Huebsch Transportation Planner Email 218-894-3233 Ext. 4	Jake graduated from St.Cloud State University in 2007 with a BA degree in Community Development. Jake has previous planning and development experience with the City of Princeton and the City of Colchester. Prior to working at Region Five, Jake worked for a financial company in Minneapolis. Jake is a member of Staples Rotary Club, and serves on the Staples Planning and Zoning Board, and sits on Staples LEAP committee.