The following is a list of candidates that have submitted their name, in accordance with the Bylaws, for inclusion on the 2006 Board of Directors election ballot.

                                   

Cleone Bearman
The Bearman family has been long-standing supporters of the SVHS, to include organizing and hosting a 2004 auction in which they donated the entire proceeds to the shelter. An avid animal lover, particularly horses, Cleone has more free time now that she is retired from the family owned insurance business that she and her husband successfully operated for many years. She feels her many business and personal contacts throughout the community would be beneficial to the SVHS board of directors and would like to help the shelter in any way she can.

Kristin Bien
My name is Kristin Bien and I am a new member of the Community. My fiancé Craig and I recently moved to Surrey. I began working at KMOT-TV in November as the Education and Health Reporter. You can also see me every day on the Noon Report. I am an animal lover and consider my own dog, a miniature poodle named Chewy, part of the family. I also have a 3-year-old pet fish named Joel. I first became involved with the humane society during the noon reports. Through numerous stories and interview opportunities I grew to love the organization and what it stands for. As a Journalist, I feel blessed to be able to serve the community while doing work I love…and that is also the reason I will be dedicated and passionate as a SVHS board member.  

Steve Fennewald
Steve is definitely involved in the local community.  He takes his responsibilities seriously, as evidenced by his current tenure as the Mayor of Surrey and the 12 years he has spent serving on the Surrey City Council.   Steve is also a member of the Minot Optimist Club and a past board member for the Domestic Violence Crisis Center.   Steve has been in the banking business for the last 10 years and is currently a mortgage officer with Gate City Bank.  He works well with others and feels that he has a lot to offer the SVHS.

Rita Goff
Rita A. Goff is a retired Senior Master Sergeant with 26 years active military experience. She is currently employed with the Dakota Boy’s and Girl’s Ranch as a Resident Treatment Advisor.  She holds Associate Degrees from the Community College of the Air Force in Aircraft Maintenance Technology and Personnel Management/Human Resources.  She is working on a Bachelor of Science Degree in Liberal Studies.  She has a daughter, Ashley, who is 18.  She is a faithful volunteer at SVHS and feels that she can contribute even more as a board member.  Rita believes it is “our” responsibility to help those that have been abused/neglected/abandoned find loving, safe homes.  Her short-term goals are to increase membership, increase community awareness, and raise enough money to meet the current financial needs of the shelter.  She has done minor repairs at the shelter and likes to socialize and walk the dogs.

Russ Gohl (incumbent)
Russ has been a board member of the SVHS since March 2006.  Even though their successful businesses, Earthmovers and X-Press Mart, and family keep them extremely busy, Russ and his wife Jeanne still find time to be involved in the community.   Whether it’s personally helping to build Habitat for Humanity homes, serving on local nonprofit organizational boards, or contributing to worthy causes (including their longtime financial support of the SVHS), Russ and Jeanne have definitely given back to Minot.  They try to steal some time in the summer for themselves and Angel, their Shih Tzu Poodle cross that is never far from Jeanne’s lap, to spend at the model airplane flying field, which Russ has helped make into one of ND’s finest.  This field was also the home to the “Christmas in July” fundraiser Jeanne and Russ single-handedly organized that raised several hundred dollars for the Humane Society.  It was Christmas in September, too, as they became first time grandparents to Amy Mae Mickleson, September 9, 2006.

David Lehner
Dave is a leader in our community.  He has been on the Minot City Council for 4 years and is currently serving as an Alderman for the 1st Ward.   He has also been the President of the Minot Rotary Club (currently the Treasurer), Minot Chamber of Commerce board member, and Visioning Infrastructure Chairman.  Formerly the General Manager of the Minot Chrysler Center, Dave moved to Clear Channel Communications in 2003 where he does a bit of everything.  Not only is he a sales rep and part time DJ, he is also the webmaster for each of their 6 stations and works in production and traffic departments.  Dave has turned his passion for woodworking into a small business…he owns and operates “The Troll’s Den” where he personally handcrafts all items.  Dave and his family (which includes 2 sets of identical twins) are no stranger to the SVHS.  Not only did one of their pets come from the shelter, Dave’s daughter-in-law is a former employee and one of his grandchildren is currently a volunteer.  Dave feels he can contribute to the SVHS in many ways if elected to the board.

Mark Mattson (Incumbent)
Mark has been a member of the SVHS board since April 2006. As Vice President of Mattson Construction, Mark’s savvy business sense has been proven time and again.  He takes pride in upholding the excellent reputation of the successful 102-yr-old family owned business.  He is actively involved in the local Minot Y’s Men’s Club and has been affiliated with the council of the First Lutheran Church.  He also volunteers his time to cook his family’s famous “to die for” smoked pork chops at Minot’s annual Great Tomato Festival.  Mark’s 3 children (Shelby–16, Medora–13, and Dillon–12) volunteer at the humane society every chance they can. They have a special connection with the shelter, because that’s where they rescued their abused 7 yr old border collie/sheltie dog Tuffy 6 years ago. Mark and his family love sports, especially snow and water skiing, sailing, and shooting hoops. Of course, their favorite activity is walking dogs.

Diane Miles
While living in WI, Diane volunteered for three years with her local animal shelter where she walked, groomed, and fostered animals.  She also had the opportunity to work with someone and learn techniques for placing special needs animals.  A true animal lover, she has also worked with a wildlife rehabilitation group that helped return wolves to the wild in northern Wisconsin.  As a nurse, her science background has helped in clinical areas.

Kristi Schaefer
Kristi has always been passionate about animals.  She grew up surrounded by horses, dogs, and cats on her family’s farm near Surrey.  Her devotion to animals was apparent by the time she turned 17; she had 3 horses, 2 cats, and a dog.  It seemed only natural that she become a Vet Assistant (small animals) at the Minot Vet Clinic before obtaining her current job as the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch (DBGR) Therapeutic Riding Instructor and Horse Program Director.  Kristi and her husband are strong advocates for animal adoptions/rescues.  Two of the five dogs they have adopted or rescued are SVHS alumni.  She has also rescued many barn cats from the City Pound and found loving homes for doomed horses and cats.  Kristi’s recent fundraising experience includes participating in the Magical Day of Giving and Pizza Hut, Herberger’s Appreciation, and food sales.  Kristi expressed, “I would like to be a part of the SVHS because I believe in giving animals another chance.  They can trust and love so effortlessly when in a wonderful home…They truly are God’s gift to us and it’s our responsibility and honor to take care of them, in any way possible.”  She has definitely done her part.

Tracie Schwab
Senior Master Sergeant Tracie A. Schwab is currently employed as Chief, Wing Information Management 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base North Dakota with 25 years active duty.  Tracie believes too many people feel that our furry friends are disposable and she wants to work to help these animals find loving and humane homes.  Public funding is a goal she’d like to achieve.  Tracie has a great deal of experience with fundraising and feels she will definitely be an asset to the team.  Tracie has previously been a Girl Scout Leader.  She is married to CMSgt (Ret) Chris Schwab of Washington D.C.  They have two children, Jamie and Kelly.

Janice Sweeney
Janice and her husband Steve are very active supporters of the SVHS.  Janice has taught elementary school at the Surrey Public School for the past 25 years while Steve manages the family owned Sweeney Brothers’ Tractor Company.  Not only does she teach her students the 3 R’s, she also teaches them Responsibility to their community.   Her class routinely collects money so that they can sponsor a cage at the shelter; all proceeds go to the care of the animals.  Janice and Steve are key members of the newly formed SVHS Public Relations Committee.  She also helps out at the shelter whenever and however she can.  She tries to stay away from the cats when she’s there, though.  A true cat lover, Janice never met one she didn’t want to take home.  Since they don’t have room for them all, she does what she can to help care and find homes for our abandoned animals.  Janice is also involved in the school’s Curriculum Development and School Improvement Writing Committees and is a member of the Collaborative Bargaining Team.  She hopes her negotiating skills can be used in obtaining deals for the shelter!

Current board members who will stay in office until 2008 as elected are:
Barbara Barron
Judy Olson
Joy Lyn Straight-Sponsel

The election will be held during the Annual Meeting, on Sunday, September 24th, 2006, 2:00PM at Oneo1 South Main, Minot, ND  58701.