Over 20 community, business and city leaders joined together with St. Cloud State University leadership on Feb. 2 for the inaugural meeting of the St. Cloud State Community Advisory Board (CAB).
The Board, co-chaired by CentraCare CEO Ken Holmen, M.D., and Granite Partners Founder and CEO Rick Bauerly, will help the University drive forward projects that are of mutual interest to the campus and community.
“We are so fortunate to have such support and enthusiasm for the University in the Greater St. Cloud region,” said St. Cloud State President Dr. Gregory Tomso. “There’s so much we can accomplish by working together. This a huge step forward for St. Cloud State.”
The foundation of the Board began during the presidential search process in the fall, where CAB members played a key role in developing a Stewardship Survey and welcoming President Tomso to the St. Cloud community upon his arrival.
“We are grateful for over 260 university and community stakeholders participating in our Stewardship Survey last fall,” Bauerly said. “The report and meetings provided valuable input for President Tomso and the SCSU Presidential Cabinet for forward planning, and it served as a catalyst for our energized Community Advisory Board.”
The Cabinet was joined by 21 community advisors from local organizations during Monday’s meeting, including 14 SCSU alums.
After presentations from Holmen, Bauerly and Tomso kicked off the inaugural meeting, members broke out into newly established committees on reputation, investment, athletics, enrollment, workforce and stewardship.
These six committees began to set priorities and establish short-term wins, examining actionable items that can be accomplished in 2026. Many of these conversations and initiatives centered on student success and showcasing a welcoming, vibrant campus.
The Board will meet quarterly, with the next meeting planned for early April.
Community Advisors
Jake Anderson, Mayor, City of St. Cloud
Rick Bauerly, Founder & CEO, Granite Partners
Greg Flint, President & COO, ColdSpring
Melinda Gau, Retired CEO, Quinlivan & Hughes
John Herges, President & CEO, Falcon National Bank
Ken Holmen, M.D., President & CEO, CentraCare
Lori Kloos, President, St. Cloud Technical & Community College
Vince Miles, President and Professor, Human Factor Leadership
Jason Netland, Chief Logistics Officer, ATS
Ayan Omar, Director of Equity Services, St. Cloud Public Schools
Jeff Oxton, Chief of Police, St. Cloud Police Department
Laurie Putnam, Superintendent, St. Cloud Area Schools
John Quade, VP/General Counsel, Landwehr
Clare Richards, Co-Founder & CEO, Impacks
James Ringwald, CFO, Community Giving
Joan Schatz, CEO, Park Industries
Christie Schulte, VP of Legal Operations, Coborn’s
John Torgerson, Board Chair, St. Cloud Downtown Alliance
Amy Trombley, VP of Community Impact, Initiative Foundation
Joe Webb, Chief of Staff, CSB/SJU
Donella Westphal, Owner and CEO, Jules’ Bistro
SCSU Cabinet and Participants
Shahzad Ahmad, Associate VP for International Studies
Meredith Athman, Executive Assistant to the President
King Banaian, Center for Policy Research and Community Engagement
Dan Golombiecki, VP for Finance and Administration
Renee Hiller, VP for Human Resources and Workplace Experience
Dr. Mark Parsons, Interim VP for Advancement and Alumni Engagement
Dr. Katherina Pattit, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Holly Schreiner, Director of Athletics
Judith Siminoe, VP for University Affairs and Title IX Coordinator
Phil Thorson, VP for Technology Strategy and CIO
Dr. Gregory Tomso, President
Dr. Jason Woods, VP for Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
Jeanie York, Dean of Professional and Continuing Education
