Riverland Community College

Catherine Buboltz

Catherine Buboltz is the Director of Sales & Marketing for Thorne Crest Senior Living Community in Albert Lea.  She has over 18 years of sales and marketing experience and has held management positions with various media companies such as KIMT-TV and the Albert Lea Tribune.  Catherine is fueled by her involvement in community. She is the 2016/2017 board chair of the ALFC Chamber of Commerce, a member and past president of the Albert Lea Daybreakers Kiwanis Club and current board member & volunteer for the Blue Zones Project.

Catherine and her husband, Bruce, live in Albert Lea and enjoy traveling and an array of outdoor activities such as hiking, biking and Nordic walking.

John Garry

John Garry is the President/CEO of the Development Corporation of Austin (DCA). DCA is a nonprofit economic development organization serving the Austin area. He’s held the position since 2007. John’s father, Mike, was an instructor at the technical school in printing.

John is married to Sally Garry, a Riverland nursing program graduate. They have two children. John also serves on the board of the YMCA, the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce and coach’s youth sports. 

Alice Holst

Alice Holst retired in 2011 from a 45 career in banking with US Bancorp where she held many different positions from Mail Girl to several management gigs.   She now works part time at the Development Corporation of Austin and at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary. Alice continues to serve on many community and non-profit Boards including Riverland Community College Foundation for 13 years – 10 as Treasurer- until 2013.  She is excited to re-join the Foundation Board after a three year hiatus.

Her hobbies are mowing the lawn on her John Deere, singing and acting.  She has been in many performances for Riverland and Summerset Theatres, among others. Alice is married to Al and has 5 children and 6 grandchildren.

Daniel Otten

Daniel graduated in 1981 from University of Nebraska with a degree in Ag Economics.  His early career was as a lender and credit review specialist with Farm Credit in NE and CA. Daniel and his wife Kim have lived in Freeborn County since 1991 and have just recently sent their fourth child off to U of M.  Over the last 30 years Daniel has been involved in community banking along with managing his own business consulting firm.  Daniel is one of the Founders of MN Community Bancshares which led a private placement to capitalize the purchase of Farmers State Bank of Hartland in 2014.  He is currently the CEO and Chairman of the $170 million bank.  Daniel has served on numerous bank boards, and has been a director of several local non-profits including the United Way, Good Earth Village, Albert Lea Civic Music, Albert Lea Business Development Center and St. Theodores Catholic School Endowment.  Daniel’s other interests are traveling, wood working, mowing and playing the tuba when he gets a chance.

Susie Petersen

Susie Petersen is the Executive Director of the Albert Lea Convention & Visitors Bureau. Her responsibilities include promoting Albert Lea, lodging facilities, festivals and events in the community.  Susie is active with the Albert P. Cuppage Foundation, Lakes Foundation of Albert Lea, Southern Minnesota Tourism Association, SMART (Southern Minnesota Association of Regional Trails), National Vitality Center –Blue Zones Board, Statewide Health Improvement Program Board (SHIP), Albert Lea Downtown Association, Blazing Star Trail and is a member of the Golden KII Service Club.

Suzie and her husband Ken live in Albert Lea and have 2 children and 3 Grandchildren.

Dr. Kevin Myers

Dr. Kevin Myers is Senior Vice President of Research & Development at Hormel Foods Corporation.  He earned his master's and doctorate degrees in Meat Science and Food Science at Iowa State University.  He oversees product development, packaging, food safety validation, and laboratory services for Hormel Foods.

Belita Schindler

Belita Schindler graduated from the University of North Dakota and was the owner of Belita’s Interiors for 25 years. She describes herself as a “Community Junkie" - and is a member of numerous community organizations and St. Augustine's Church, where she has played the organ for 44 years.

She and her husband Dick, who died in 2014, had six exchange students, and dozens of medical students live with them. They have four kids and nine grandchildren. Belita had her private pilot's license for 16 years, made several cross- Minnesota bike trips,  enjoys roller-blading  and casual bike riding, and is a long-time supporter of the Austin Symphony and the Hormel Nature Center.

Geoff Smith

Geoff Smith is the President of IBI Data in Brownsdale. He has over 25 years of leadership, database marketing, systems design, operations, and program management experience working with major foodservice industry clients including Land O’Lakes, Con Agra, Schwan’s, Sara Lee, Kellogg’s, Starbucks and more.

Geoff is a graduate of Riverland and gives back to the community serving with Good Graffiti, the Community Home Improvement Project (CHIP), the Development Corporation of Austin, and Rotary, among others.

Geoff lives with his wife Susan in Austin and they have two adult children.  He and his wife enjoy kayaking, Broadway musicals, adventures with their kids, and volunteering for hunger relief and home rehabilitation projects.

Mark Walbran

Mark M. Walbran is a partner at the law firm ofWalbran & Furness in Owatonna. His practice areas include civil litigation, workers' compensation, and municipal law. He serves as Owatonna City Attorney and is past president of the Minnesota City Attorney's Association. He is a current member of the Minnesota Commission on Judicial Selection. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the Creighton University School of law.

Alicia Westendorf

Alicia Westendorf received a Bachelor’s of Business Management from Minnesota State University – Mankato.  Alicia is currently the Training Manager at Viracon in Owatonna, MN.  She manages new employee orientation, Lead Soft Skills, registered apprenticeship program with the State of Minnesota for maintenance mechanics, tuition reimbursement and training development, primarily for the manufacturing processes, for Viracon.

Alicia and her husband, Jeff, reside in Austin, MN.  They enjoy traveling, spending time with family and friends, attending Minnesota sporting events and taking in the rays on their new fishing boat.

Nitaya Jandragholica

Nitaya Jandragholica is the Cultural Liaison and Spanish Interpreter for Mower County. She is a dedicated life-long learner and has earned several advanced degrees including a Master of Arts in Music, a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy as well as professional licenses and accreditations in legal and medical interpreting & translating. Her commitment to service in the community spans over two decades, including serving as a member of the board of directors for the Austin Area Foundation, the Century College Translation and Interpreting program Advisory Committee, the Citizens Advisory Committee University of Minnesota Extension, and the Austin Public Library.  She also serves as a member of the Austin Charter Commission, the 3rd Judicial District Committee for Equity and Justice and the Michael H. Seibel Visitation & Exchange Center.  It is the unique mix of experience, dedication and leadership from members of the community that make Austin a beacon of success in the region to which Nitaya is honored to contribute for the good of all. Nitaya enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with her spouse Aaron and their children Clyde and Mikai. 

Mary Nelson

Mary Nelson is the Director of Cooperative Relations at Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative located in Albert Lea.  Since her start date of February 1995, Mary has worked in several areas with the cooperative which have led to her current management position.  Mary is a proud alumni of our educational institution, and continually supports our class offerings to those interested in technical careers.  She and her husband Darwin are life-long residents of the Glenville area, have two children and two grandchildren.  In her free time, she enjoys traveling, making family memories, and spending time outside.

Joe Effertz

Joe is a native of Owatonna, MN.  After graduating from St. John's University, he began a 14 year career at Viracon holding various positions, including the Director of International Sales for the last 7 years.  He is currently the President of Black Forest Ltd, a recognition jewelry manufacturer based in Owatonna, a position he has held since 2013.  Along the way, he received his M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas.  In addition, he has served as the Chair of the Board for the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce.  He also is the current Chair of the Board for the Owatonna Business Development Center.  He is excited to be a part of Riverland Community college and lives in Owatonna with his wife, Jana, and their two daughters. 

Julia Thompson

Julia Thompson is the President of Southern Minnesota Shoppers, Inc and splits her time between the locations in Albert Lea and Austin.  She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Minnesota State University and is a graduate of the Blandin Community Leadership Program. 

Julia serves on the board for the Freeborn County Community Foundation and is the board chair for the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and the Midwest Free Community Paper Association. She is also the director of the Albert Lea Anglers.  Julia is a past board member of the ALFC Chamber of Commerce and the Austin Noon Kiwanis Club and volunteers a lot of her time fundraising for groups like the Parent Communication Network, Tiger Trot, Alzheimer’s Association, Albert Lea Anglers and several other worthwhile organizations.  

Julia and her husband, Steve, live in Albert Lea and have two children in college.  They enjoy traveling, MN sporting events and making memories with friends and family.   

Colin Whalen

Colin Whalen is a Systems Developer at Federated Insurance in Owatonna. Colin is a graduate of Riverland (Austin) and Minnesota State University – Mankato, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. He enjoys staying active through various opportunities including playing guitar for annual fundraising concerts – Hometown Sampler and Give Hope – in addition to playing and singing on worship team. Colin and his wife, Sherri, enjoy being a “Big” couple for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern MN.

Colin and Sherri live in Owatonna and have two adult children. They enjoy spending time with family, staying engaged in their church, traveling, and being outdoors in the summer.

Additional Board Members (Bio and Photo coming soon)

• Becky Noble