Board of Directors | Minnesota Association of School Personnel Administrators

The MASPA Board of Directors is made up of seven professionals that are actively employed as school administrators in Minnesota. The volunteer Board oversees the operations of both MASPA and State Negotiators.

Ryan Stromberg

Board President

Current position: Director of Human Resources & Organizational Development, Spring Lake Park Schools

Sonya Sailer

Board President-Elect

Current position: Director of Human Resources, Waconia Public Schools

MaryAnn Thomas

Board Secretary-Treasurer

Current position: Director of Human Resources, Farmington Area Public Schools

Brandon Nelson

Board Immediate Past President

Current position: Director of Human Resources, Independent School District 15 - St. Francis

Elizabeth Fischer

Board Member

Current position: Director of Human Resources, Willmar Public Schools

Thomas May

Board Member

Current position: Executive Director of Human Resources, Eden Prairie Schools

Nicole Tuescher

Board President-Elect

Current position: Executive Director of Human Resources, Anoka-Hennepin Schools

State Negotiators Facilitators

Monthly meetings are facilitated by professionals recognized as leaders in the community.

Tim Caskey

State Negotiators Facilitator - Oct, Nov, Dec

Current position: Executive Director Labor Relations and Personnel Services, ISD 728 Elk River School District

Craig Holje

State Negotiators Facilitator - Apr, May, Jun

Current position: Chief Human Resources Administrator Officer, Richfield Public Schools

Matt Mons

State Negotiators Facilitator - Jan, Feb, Mar

Current position: Director of Human Resources, Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools

Tom Pederstuen

State Negotiators Facilitator - Jul, Aug, Sep

Current position: Director of Human Resources, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Schools

Additional Support

Chris Hoehn

Coordinator

Contact

The MASPA Board is committed to providing effective leadership and continually reviews operational design and member services to insure viability for the future of our organization. If you have thoughts or ideas that you believe would improve the community, please share them with us. Your input is always welcome!

Member Testimonials

I strongly recommend that Minnesota's school Human Resources professionals engage with MASPA and the State Negotiators organizations. These grups provide incredible support to their members. They provide context and support for addressing HR challenges that face public employers, specifically public schools. Today's school HR leaders play a vital role in helping school districts focus on student achievement and closing Minnesota's opportunity gaps. The collaboration among these leaders makes the K-12 system stronger and provides better service to our students, families, staff, and communities.

Matt Hillmann, Ed. D.
Superintendent Northfield Public Schools

When I moved from being a high school principal to the position of Human Resources Director, I had reservations about my background and knowledge in "human resources." Whether it was school law or best practices, I knew this was an area were I would need help. The best decision I made was to join MASPA. It allowed me to immediately access a fantastic group of people that I could call or email at any time to get advice on issues or concerns that I had. Most importantly, the numerous resources that are available allowed me to grow in my understanding of what an HR Director needs to do. I would not have been as successful as I was as an HR Director if it had not been for MASPA. I would highly recommend to any superintendent that they encourage their Human Resources Director to join MASPA. Your organization will greatly benefit from this group of outstanding people.

Bradley D Bergstrom
Superintendent Thief River Falls Public Schools

I have been practicing management and human resources in varying capacities for almost 15 years.When I accepted my position in the school district, I found that my knowledge of human resources functions, laws, regulations and best practices was valuable, however school districts and the public sector require a different skill set from the non-profit which I had previously worked.Joining MASPA provided invaluable support from colleagues, who bring to the table collective knowledge of Human Resources and school districts to support all members.Membership provides resources for guidance in best practice to support all members in supporting their districts and the employees in that district. My membership in MASPA has provided me a community of human resources professionals who have provided input and feedback, as well as professional development opportunities regarding issues ranging from compensation, legal issues, and negotiation strategies.I would highly recommend membership to any human resources professional working for a school district in Minnesota to strengthen their network and development in the profession.

Kristin L Dehmer, PHR, SHRM-CP
Executive Director of Human Resources Moorhead Area Public Schools - ISD I52

Being a member of MASPA has been a life altering experience. I joined in 2008 to connect with my peers on a local level and found the quality of the interactions to be a tremendous value. It has given me the opportunity to make sure I have the knowledge, skills, and behaviors needed to excel in human resources. I have had some of the best professional development experiences being a member of MASPA.

LaToiya T. Jefferson
Human Resources & Talent Acquisitions Manager Spring Lake Park Schools