Meet our Board of Directors

Past President, Michael (Mike) Cox
Professional position:  Financial Planner

Number of years on the LACF board:  6

Personal reason for being involved with LACF: The community has been very good for our family and it is important to give back. LACF is the best way I can give back.

Value you see the LACF having in the communities we serve:  LACF was established as an organization that works with and for organizations that serve to make our community a better place live.  LACFs mission and value aligns with my personal values.
President, Nadine Schoep
Professional position:  Human Resource Manager
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Number of years on the LACF board:  6 years

Personal reason for being involved with LACF:  Opportunity to be a part of an organization that supports a wide variety of causes throughout the county.

Value you see the LACF having in the communities we serve:  A unique opportunity to fulfill philanthropic wishes and provide funding for community projects in need of financial support.
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Vice President, Mike Engesser
Professional Position: President, CEO and Chairman of the Board at First Farmers & Merchants National Bank 
   
Number of years on the Board: 5

Personal Reason for being on the LACF Board: It is important to help and contribute in the communities in which we live. By doing this we make our community stronger which benefits everyone.

Value I see the LACF has in the communities we serve: The LACF makes available the opportunity to help the people of our communities fulfill their wishes and goals that enables them to leave a personal legacy that have a positive affect and remembrances on our communities. Provides tax advantaged charitable giving. Tailors donor’s charitable and financial interests into a plan. Enables donors a larger impact by pooling gifts. Help build an endowment fund that will enable the Foundation to benefit the area with sustainable grants. Local organization with roots in the Rock County area. Help build a positive impact for the community and make a lasting difference in our communities. We help improve the quality of life in our community.
Treasurer, Sharla Reisch
Professional position:  CPA – McGinnis and Company, PC – Sioux Falls

Number of years on the LACF board:  2

Personal reason for being involved with LACF:  I love the community we live in and wanted to give back through volunteerism.  To help promote charitable giving to enrich the community.

Value you see the LACF having in the communities we serve:  LACF helps build resources for the community.  Also helps donors fulfill their passion.
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Board Member, Jeff Haubrich​
Professional position: Attorney/Partner at Klosterbuer & Haubrich, LLP
Number of years on the LACF board: 2
Personal reason for being involved with LACF:  I believe it is important to be involved in the community you live in and do business in. 

Value you see the LACF having in the communities we serve: The LACF is a great resource for helping the community and the people served by the non-profits in the community.  The best ideas and best projects come from local ideas and have local benefits where people are so much more connected to what is happening.  
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Board Member, Keith Elbers
​Professional position: Auctioneer and Real Estate
Board Member, Isaac DeBoer
Professional position:  Market President Minnwest Bank, Luverne

Number of years on the LACF board:  3

Personal reason for being involved with LACF:  I became familiar with the foundation’s work approximately 4 years ago and felt strongly that there is a need for the services/opportunities that the foundation can provide within all of Rock County.  I felt strongly that I could be of assistance in helping “spread the word’ about the Foundation.

Value you see the LACF having in the communities we serve:  The Foundation gives all residents the ability to make contributions back to their community in a very broad or specific purpose that can be tailored to each donors interests.
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Board Member, Elizabeth Schear
​Professional position: Executive Director, non-profit

Number of years on the LACF board: 6

Personal reason for being involved with LACF: I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact that an organization like LACF can have on the community, specifically the non-profit organization that I lead.  I serve on the board of directors so I can continue to help direct the efforts of LACF in a positive way for many recipients in our community.

Value you see the LACF having in the communities we serve: LACF helps bring awareness of all the worthy causes right here in our community to local (and those who have moved away but whose hearts are still local) philanthropists.  This awareness has helped retain dollars that might otherwise have gone to worthy causes elsewhere in the world.  As a result, our community is growing and thriving in amazing ways!
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Board Member, Mary Tilstra​
Professional position: Retired Food & Nutrition Professional and Figure Skating Director & Coach

Number of years on the LACF board: 5 years

Personal reason for being involved with LACF: I like the idea of local people helping make their community a better place to live.

Value you see the LACF having in the communities we serve: The Foundation brings together people who have a vision to help with an organization that can make it happen.
​Board Member, Nancy Sandager
​Professional position: Human Resources Technician, MN Veterans Home - Luverne

Number of years on the LACF board: 3

Personal reason for being involved with LACF: I have been involved in several programs that have benefitted from LACF grants and I have seen the difference it can make in many various ways in our communities.

Value you see the LACF having in the communities we serve: I truly think it is a wonderful "umbrella“ that can reach out and cover a huge variety of interests and events that increase the opportunities provided and strengthen the quality of life  in our entire county. Additionally, it’s an on-going enterprise – establishing positive projects and looking to the future of our communities.
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Board Member, Jim Juhl