MNLA Staff:

Cassie Larson, CAE, Executive Director
cassie@mnla.biz

Oversee all administration including budget and personnel management. Association planning including strategic plan implementation. Strategic oversight of educational programming including online initiatives. Overall Northern Green planning. Oversee association networking initiatives. Participate in government affairs policy direction. Overall management of the MNLA Foundation. Staff liaison to the following committees: Career Development & Outreach, Education & Certification, Government Affairs, Northern Green Joint Programming Board, and liaison to the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation.

Jon Horsman, CAE, Associate Director
jon@mnla.biz

Work closely with the Executive Director in overall association planning and review, communications, and budget. Fulfill the duties of the Executive Director in an absence. Develop and implement a strategic approach to membership recruitment, onboarding, retention, and community building. Member outreach at supplier shows. Research and manage member service programs. Implement membership directory. Manage trade show sales, exhibitor communications, trade show move-in, move-out, and exhibit rules. Manage association programs to recognize member excellence. Staff liaison to the following committees: Membership & Connections and Trade Show.

Felipe Illescas, Government Affairs Director
felipe@mnla.biz

Analyze proposed legislative actions; determine the potential impact on the organization, and develop recommended policy for consideration by the Government Affairs Committee and the Board of Directors. Coordinate with legislative and regulatory policy makers and staff, including state and national nursery and landscape associations, to discuss issues, draft and present testimony, reports, and regulatory comments. Work with the MNLA lobbyist to communicate to members of the Minnesota legislature, regulatory agency leadership, and their staffs on industry related issues. Monitor the activities of various state agencies and ensure the “voice” of MNLA is heard and acknowledged. Develop messaging and tactics to promote legislative awareness to members. Staff liaison to the Government Affairs Committee.

Sarah Laulunen, Education & Certification Manager
sarah@mnla.biz

Oversee the implementation of educational programs for MNLA and Northern Green, including the coordination of online certification courses. Manage the MNLA Certified Professional testing and recertification process. Facilitate industry-specific networking groups, including maintaining member lists and promoting upcoming meetings. Staff liaison to the Education & Certification Committee and Northern Green Joint Programming Board.

Brianna Burns, Communications Coordinator
brianna@mnla.biz

Take the lead on communications, including development of on-going content and look of publications, websites, and social media. Coordinate advance and onsite registration for Northern Green and Shade Tree Short Course. In cooperation with the Associate Director, manage association programs to recognize member excellence. Staff liaison to the Communications & Content Committee.

Dr. James Calkins, Regulatory Affairs Manager
jim@mnla.biz

Analyze proposed regulatory actions, determine the potential impact on the organization, and develop recommended policy. Coordinate with regulatory policy makers and agency leaders to discuss issues, draft and present testimony, reports and regulatory comments and ensure the “voice” of MNLA is heard and acknowledged. Staff liaison to the Government Affairs Committee.

Louise Nemmers, Administrative Assistant
louise@mnla.biz

Provide general office support for all MNLA programs and staff members. Assist with trade-show sales, exhibitor communications, and registration for Northern Green and the Minnesota Shade Tree Short Course. Maintain membership records and assist with membership development and communications. 

Pam Helgeson, Accountant
accounting@mnla.biz

Manage bookkeeping and financial transactions for the Association and Foundation. Working within the Investment Policy Statements established by the Association board, bankers, and investment consultants to maximize the return on financial reserves.

MNLA works very closely with two independent contract companies on a daily basis.

Betsy Pierre, Advertising Sales Manager, Pierre Productions & Promotions Inc.
betsy@pierreproductions.com
763-295-5420
Fax 763-295-2550

Betsy sells advertising for The Scoop, Member Directory Resource book, Northern Green program, www.MNLA.biz, and MNLA eNews. They also coordinate sponsorship opportunities for Northern Green and MNLA Foundation fundraising events.

Doug Carnival, Government Affairs Consultant and Lobbyist, Carnival Berns P.A.

Represents MNLA on a variety of legislative and regulatory affairs.

MNLA Foundation

The MNLA Foundation improves the environment by investing in research and education.

Paulette Sorenson, CMP, MNLA Foundation Program Manager
paulette@mnla.biz

Manage programs that promote the value of green-industry careers to high school and college students. Assist Research Information Director with Research for the Real World. Manage MNLA Foundation scholarship program and high school grant program. Manage fundraisers and networking events, including golf, shootout, and bowling events. Build and manage online presence of MNLA Foundation. Staff liaison to the MNLA Foundation Board of Trustees.

Dr. James Calkins, Research Information Director
research@mnla.biz

Jim Calkins is a horticulturalist, researcher, and educator with extensive experience in plant identification, distribution, production, culture and use, and has been an active member of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association for over 20 years. Jim has taught a variety of classes at the University of Minnesota and has also spoken extensively to community and professional organizations.