White Earth Investment Initiative

Staff

Kevin Shipley, Chief Executive Officer Shipley is president of Community Development Bank (which is co-located with the White Earth Investment Initiative offices) and has significant business-lending experience. As the former executive vice president of Midwest Minnesota Community Development Corporation (MMCDC), he also has experience with nonprofit community development work in underserved communities. 516 Main Street P.O. Box 38 Ogema, MN 56569-0038 Phone: (218) 983-3241 Fax: (218) 983-4021 E-mail: kshipley@comdevbank.com
Audra Tonihka, Commercial Loan Officer Tonihka is an enrolled tribal member who grew up in the community of White Earth and received a bachelor’s degree in business management. Prior to joining the White Earth Investment Initiative staff, she served as a loan officer for the tribal credit union. Tonihka implements the Low-Income Car Ownership Program, Commercial Lending and Business Technical Assistance, and the Financial Skills for Families curriculum. She also staffs the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site. 407 Main Street E P.O. Box 38 Ogema, MN 56569-0038 Phone: (218) 983-4020 Fax: (218) 983-4021 E-mail: atonihka@arvig.net

Sarah Castro, Tax Site Administrator Ruppel holds a bachelor’s degree and is a former AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer for White Earth Investment Initiative. She is the administrator of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Site. 119 Graystone Plaza Detroit Lakes, MN 56502-0623 Phone: (219) 844-7027 Fax: (218) 844-6345 E-mail: scastrol@mmcdc.com

Rosymar Hjermstad, MMCDC Housing Advocate Hjermstad is bilingual in Spanish and English, and is originally from Venezuela. She earned a degree in marketing communications and Spanish from Bemidji State University. Hjermstad provides Pathway Homebuyer Education classes, Spanish Home Stretch classes, housing and financial counseling, and manages the Hispanic Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site. 119 Graystone Plaza Detroit Lakes, MN 56502-0623 Phone: (218) 844-7020 or (218) 252-1765 Fax: (218) 844-6345 E-mail: rhjermstad@mmcdc.com

Tina Peterson, Human Achievement Performance Academy (HAPA) Executive Director Peterson provides homebuyer education and housing counseling.
Board of Directors Four of WEII’s board members also are members of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe.

Dr. Arlen Kangas, Board Chairman Dr. Kangas is president of MMCDC, a position he has held since 1998. Under his leadership, the company’s asset base has grown from $2 million to more than $60 million. During the same period, the company’s revenues increased from less than $500,000 per year to more than $6.6 million. Dr. Kangas received a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1978, graduating Summa Cum Laude from Bemidji State University. He then received his master’s degree and a doctorate from Washington State University in Pullman, Washington.
Robert Durant, Board Member Durant is an enrolled member of the tribe and is the elected Tribal Secretary-Treasurer. As such, he brings a willingness to provide tribal assistance to appropriate development efforts. He is a longtime resident of the reservation community and is the former Executive Director of the White Earth Housing Authority.
Dan Stevens, Board Member Stevens has been active in the community development field for years as a board member for the MMCDC. He is accustomed to linking financial and technical resources to individual businesses and communities in need, and also understands the needs of the reservation. He is an enrolled tribal member and a reservation community resident.
Joan LaVoy, Board Member Board member Joan LaVoy is a resident of Mahnomen County and an enrolled tribal member of the White Earth Band, which she serves as Director of Education. Joan also serves on the Board of Directors for the Naytahwaush Children's Charter School.
Dean Johnson, Board Member Johnson serves as the first-ever Economic Development Director for the White Earth Reservation Tribal Government. Prior to assuming that position in 2007, Johnson served as the longtime administrator for Mahnomen, MN, the reservation’s largest community.

Board / Staff