 |
| Dave West served NMF for 23 years |
CHANGES IN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Change is underway at the Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) as Senior Program Officer of Business Finance, Dave West will retire June 30. West began working for NMF, then the Northwest Initiative Fund, in 1990. His experience in banking helped ease the way toward developing a strong business development program. As the senior officer for the Business Finance Program, West had an integral part in building a loan portfolio that began with three loans and today is at $20 million.
“We’ve helped people achieve their dream of owning a business,” said West. “My work has been very rewarding – knowing that I was a little piece of the puzzle that helped create nearly 2,500 jobs in northwest Minnesota.” Agricultural related projects were the most fun to work on throughout the years according to West because agricultural processing is a benefit to business and labor. He also enjoyed the nuts and bolts projects and working with economic development partners.
“As a gap lender, Dave took creative approaches to provide access to capital for start up and existing businesses,” said American State Bank of Grygla, President, Bryan Grove. “I have served on the foundation’s Business Finance loan committee for many years and I have witnessed the positive impact of Dave’s work in northwest Minnesota.”
Upon retirement West plans to pursue his hobbies, which include hunting and fishing. He and his wife, Candace, also plan to travel.
Diane Morey, senior program officer – business development will move into West’s position. Current Business Development Specialist Amy Tobkin will take over Morey’s responsibilities which include managing and implementing activities of the Entrepreneur Development Program.
Phil Knutson has been selected as the new NMF business development specialist. He will work to serve the region by managing and implementing activities of NMF’s Entrepreneur Development Program, using communication, public relations and business skills to analyze and develop entrepreneurs and new businesses.
NMF President Nancy Vyskocil said, “We are excited to have Phil on board with us. Because of his background, he understands how a community foundation operates and his expertise in entrepreneurship is a natural fit.”
Knutson received a Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in business, finance, and entrepreneurship from the University of North Dakota in 2006. Prior to UND, he attended The North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND. Most recently, Knutson was the Director of Development for the Community Violence Intervention Center in Grand Forks, ND.
The Northwest Minnesota Foundation is a public, charitable foundation serving 12 counties of Northwest Minnesota by investing resources, creating opportunities and promoting philanthropy.
“We’ve helped people achieve their dream of owning a business,” said West. “My work has been very rewarding – knowing that I was a little piece of the puzzle that helped create nearly 2,500 jobs in northwest Minnesota.” Agricultural related projects were the most fun to work on throughout the years according to West because agricultural processing is a benefit to business and labor. He also enjoyed the nuts and bolts projects and working with economic development partners.
“As a gap lender, Dave took creative approaches to provide access to capital for start up and existing businesses,” said American State Bank of Grygla, President, Bryan Grove. “I have served on the foundation’s Business Finance loan committee for many years and I have witnessed the positive impact of Dave’s work in northwest Minnesota.”
Upon retirement West plans to pursue his hobbies, which include hunting and fishing. He and his wife, Candace, also plan to travel.
Diane Morey, senior program officer – business development will move into West’s position. Current Business Development Specialist Amy Tobkin will take over Morey’s responsibilities which include managing and implementing activities of the Entrepreneur Development Program.
Phil Knutson has been selected as the new NMF business development specialist. He will work to serve the region by managing and implementing activities of NMF’s Entrepreneur Development Program, using communication, public relations and business skills to analyze and develop entrepreneurs and new businesses.
NMF President Nancy Vyskocil said, “We are excited to have Phil on board with us. Because of his background, he understands how a community foundation operates and his expertise in entrepreneurship is a natural fit.”
Knutson received a Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in business, finance, and entrepreneurship from the University of North Dakota in 2006. Prior to UND, he attended The North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND. Most recently, Knutson was the Director of Development for the Community Violence Intervention Center in Grand Forks, ND.
The Northwest Minnesota Foundation is a public, charitable foundation serving 12 counties of Northwest Minnesota by investing resources, creating opportunities and promoting philanthropy.
Comments
Post a Comment