Events Calendar | Links & Resources

Who We Are
- Staff & Commission
- Providing the level of quality service their communities have come to expect.
- Mission
  To enhance the vitality and quality of life in Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd, and Wadena counties.
- 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

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

Chair

Bob Kangas
Cass County Commissioner

Vice Chair

Paul Nieman

Morrison County Town Boards

Secretary

Mark Blessing

Todd County Commissioner

Treasurer

Brian Lehman

Crow Wing County Municipalities

Director

John Benson

Cass County Town Boards

Director

David Anderson

Wadena County Municipalities

Director

Sharon Ballou

Region Five School Boards

Alan Perish
Todd County Town Boards

Duane Johnson

Morrison County Commissioner

Bill Kern
Wadena County Town Boards

Gary Greenheck

Cass County Municipalities

Joel Quance
Todd County Municipalities

Ron Noon

Wadena County Commissioner

Chuck Parins
Morrison County Area Council of Government

Katy Botz
Region Five School Boards

Bob Becker
SWCD

Mark Platta
Crow Wing County Town Boards

Rosemary Franzen
Crow Wing County Commissioner

Dave Pritschet

City of Brainerd

Andrea Lauer
Morrison County Municipalities

Craig Nathan
MN Workforce Representative

Rebecca Best
Higher Education

Randy Finn

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

Jeff Castillo

Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe

Adam Riedel

Camp Ripley

Staff Directory

	Cheryal Lee Hills Executive Director Email 218-894-3233 Ext. 1	Cheryal delivers program development, program implementation, organizational planning, financial planning/oversight and manages all contractual agreements for R5DC. In her various leadership positions, Cheryal has secured public, private and non-profit funding to support community and regional development projects. View Full Bio

	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 skill set brings specialization in developing and negotiating strategies. Backed by strong executive leadership credentials with two of America’s largest employers, Joe manages all aspects of loan development for R5DC. View Full Bio

	Anne Hanson Underwriter Email 218-894-3233 Ext. 3	Anne has an A.A. degree in accounting from Central Lakes College, and has completed the National Development Council lender training. Anne serves as the Underwriter for both NCEDA and Micro-lending business programs. In addition, she manages the Septic and Water Well lending programs and is the primary closing agent for these lending programs. Other duties include grant writing, editing and special project support. View Full Bio

	Jake Huebsch Transportation Planner Email 218-894-3233 Ext. 4	Jake graduated from St. Cloud State University in 2007 with a degree in Community Development/Urban Studies. Jake has previous planning and development experience with the City of Princeton and the City of Colchester (CT). Jake performs managerial, administrative, planning functions of the Region Five Development Commission Transportation Initiatives. Jake Monitors, recommends, and updates the Region Five Transportation Plan, provides transportation technical and planning assistance to LUGs or other agencies. View Full Bio

	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 and has completed the National Development Council's Economic Development training. Tad’s current responsibilities include multiple broadband projects, Hazard Mitigation Planning for counties and Tribal Goverments, Program development (currently, PACE and brownfield redevelopment) as well as a variety of park/recreation & comprehensive plans, oversight of various local foods and energy projects. View Full Bio

	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. View Full Bio

	Melissa Radermacher Controler of External Affairs & Member Services Email 218-894-3233 Ext. 7	Melissa is responsible for all commissioner communication. She schedules and coordinates the organizations outreach and marketing efforts. Reviews and edits Annual Work plans, Annual Reports, CEDS, Personnel Policy/ Operations Manual, and other reports and publications. Manages all the general office duties and performs research for various departments. Melissa also assists the finance department with audit prep and during the audit as well as provides precise processing of loans and loan payments for the four loan programs. View Full Bio

	Judy Jones Active Transportation Planner Email 218-894-3233 Ext. 8	Judy Jones currently facilitates the Active Transportation Grant from the Community Transformation Grant program ensuring safe and accessible facilities for walking and bicycling and promoting regular physical activity. Judy provides coordination with community groups to develop an active transportation plans. Entails meetings to establish community committee structure, ascertain input and develop project lists, develop and vet policies, seek adoption of new policies from local jurisdictions. View Full Bio

	Renita McGrane Accounting Specialist Email 218-894-3233 Ext. 9	Renita manages the 1.5 million dollars in revolving loan funds through the organizations loan software. Along with the RLF, She administers the contract and grant systems. She assists with the administrative functions of the finance department as well as preparation for annual audits. Renita also maintains the finance department's record keeping system to ensure complience with audit requirments. View Full Bio