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Get to Know your New APWA-MN Chapter Board Members!

January 21, 2022

Members elected six new APWA-MN Board members during the 2021 Fall elections and appointed a new Chapter Delegate and Alternate Delegate. Learn a little more about the new board members, their involvement in the chapter, and other professional and personal details.

Chris Petree - Chapter Delegate

Employed by: WSB
Past employment: Director of Public Works for three communities and worked in the public sector for nearly 24 years.
Years active in APWA-MN: 22 years
Activities in APWA-MN (past and current): Delegate: 2022-present; Alternate Delegate: 2018 & 2020-2021; Chapter Officer: 2015-2018: 2018 Past President, 2017 President, 2016 Vice President, 2015 Secretary/Treasurer; Raise Our Grade MN Committee: 2020-present; Outstate Development Committee: 2018-present, Chair, 2019-Present; Government Affairs Committee: 2018-Present; Nominating Committee: 2017-Present; Conference Planning Committee: 2016-Present, Co-Chair-2016; MN2050 Committee: 2016-2018; Education & Training Committee: 2006-2015, Vice Chair-2009-2012, Chair- 2012-2015; 2016 APWA PWX Minneapolis: Futures Program Chair, Event Volunteer; Audit Committee: 2015; Executive Committee Director: 2011-2012; 2005 APWA CONGRESS Minneapolis: Event Volunteer.
Other professional accomplishments/awards/recognitions, etc.: APWA-MN Hugo G. Erickson, 2021; APWA Harry S.Swearingen, 2021; APWA Young Leader of the Year, 2012; APWA-MN, Young Professional National Congress Scholarship Award recipient, 2010; APWA Exceptional Performance, Category of Adversity, 2009.
Family: Married to Nora, celebrating 23 years of marriage in 2022, kids are Greta (a junior in HS) and Calvin (1st Grade).
Hobbies/Extra-curricular activities: Watching my kids' activities (daughter in varsity hockey and my son's karate & piano), muscle cars (with an occasional drag race on the weekend), snowmobiling, and traveling with my family.
Is there something about you that we would find surprising? (e.g., are you a pilot, do you volunteer as a clown, are you a master gardener?): I have skydived and I'm afraid of heights!

Amy Grothaus - Alternate Delegate

Employed by: Braun Intertec
Past employment: GoodPointe Technology
Years active in APWA-MN: 20 years
Activities in APWA-MN (past and current): I have served on numerous committees including both the Awards and Communications Committees, and served on the board as the Director Vendor/Contractor; annually attends both the spring and fall conferences, has been active in several Chapter volunteer events and was most recently on the Executive Committee, having served as Chapter President in 2019. 
Other professional accomplishments/awards/recognitions, etc.: Received the prestigious Hugo G. Erickson award from the Chapter in 2014 for work on the Awards Committee. I have a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota and am a registered Professional Engineer.
Family: Married to husband Jim since 2000 (also a CE graduate from the U of M). Two high schoolers - Liv, age 16, and Oscar, age 14, and one black lab, Riggins.
Hobbies/Extra-curricular activities: Enjoys working out each day (hot yoga is current favorite), walking and listening to books on Audible, spending time with family and friends, traveling to new cities, and sport spectating of any kind. I mostly love watching my kids participate in their sports - it will be a sad day when they graduate!

Nick Egger - President

Employed by: City of Rosemount - Public Works Director
Past employment: City of Hastings - Public Works Director (2015-2021), City Engineer (2005-2015), Assistant City Engineer (2002-2005).
Years active in APWA-MN: Since 2005
Activities in APWA-MN (past and current): Membership & Events Committee member since 2011, served as co-chair for several years; Formerly: Director  - PWD/City Engineer (2018-19), Secretary/Treasurer (2020), Vice President (2021) on APWA Executive Committee; 2016 PWX Host/Planning Committee; Feed My Starving Children meal-packing events; Coordination of multiple technical tours; Planning Team for Annual Summer Golf Classic.
Other professional accomplishments/awards/recognitions, etc.: City Engineers' Association of MN Project of the Year Award - 2009; APWA Leadership Academy Graduate - 2010; Co-chaired the committee that established APWA-UMN Student Chapter in 2011/12; and served as a liaison to Student Chapter 2011-2016; MN Chapter Nominee for APWA Young Leader Award in 2013; APWA-MN Chapter Project of the Year Honorable Mention Awards - 2010 & 2017; APWA Small Cities Project of the Year (structures) - Riverfront Renaissance - 2018; Past presenter at Underground Utility Inspector School; Presenter at APWA Congress & Exposition 2015.
Family: Wife: Ali (17 years), Children: Son Leighton (13), Daughter Ryleigh (10); Hometown: White Bear Lake. Currently Reside in Woodbury (since 2011).
Hobbies/Extra-curricular activities: I enjoy photography, especially taking aerial shots with my drone, and hold a commercial pilot certification. I also like to play hockey and golf, take bike rides, travel - especially visiting National Parks, and I am still hoping to resume a career in recreational softball or baseball someday.
Is there something about you that we would find surprising? (e.g., are you a pilot, do you volunteer as a clown, are you a master gardener?): I enjoy bluegrass music and am very slowly attempting to learn how to play the banjo.

Monica Heil - Vice President

Employed by: WSB
Past employment: City of Lakeville
Years active in APWA-MN: 11 years
Activities in APWA-MN (past and current): PWA-MN Executive Committee: Director - Consultant (2018-2019); Chair of the APWA-MN Education and Training Committee (2014-2020); Chair of the APWA-MN UUCIS Subcommittee (2012-2019); 2016 PWX Technical Tour Planning Committee (2015-2016); Secretary/Treasurer APWA-MN (2021).
Other professional accomplishments/awards/recognitions, etc.: I am currently serving as the Vice President of Municipal Services at WSB. In 2015, I received the APWA-MN Young Professional stipend to attend my first PWX in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2020, I was named a "Rising Star" by the Zweig Group, one of the AEC industry's leading research, publishing and advisory service resources. 
Family: I have been married to my husband, Chris, for 17 years and they have three daughters ages 14, 13 and 11.
Hobbies/Extra-curricular activities: I love traveling with my family.

Jupe Hale - Secretary/Treasurer

Employed by: City of Maple Grove
Past employment: WSB, Univesity of Minnesota, and Phoenix-area consultant.
Years active in APWA-MN: 18 years
Activities in APWA-MN (past and current): Member (15 years) and Committee Chair (11 years) of the Conference Committee; Director - Manager Engineer (2019-20); Congress/PWX Attendee - all that was held since 2005; Co-chair of Hospitality Committee for 2016 PWX; Co-organizer of first-ever PWX Microbrewery Tour (2016).
Other professional accomplishments/awards/recognitions, etc.: President, ASCE Phoenix Branch (2000-2001).
Family: Wife Debbie (married 25 years in July), a Corporate Events Manager. Three sons: 23-year-old college graduate (Industrial Engineering), 21-year-old college junior (Business), and an 18-year-old high school senior.
Hobbies/Extra-curricular activities: Golf, youth sports coaching and viewing, travel.
Is there something about you that we would find surprising? (e.g., are you a pilot, do you volunteer as a clown, are you a master gardener?): I was an Adjunct Lecturer and Course Developer for the University of Minnesota Construction Management Degree Program for 13 years.

Cristina Mlejnek - Director - Consultant

Employed by: Bolton & Menk, Inc.
Past employment: Stantec / Bonestroo (11 years)
Years active in APWA-MN: 11 years
Activities in APWA-MN (past and current): Planning Committee (current); Diversity and Inclusion Committee (current); Fall Conference attendee (current); Spring Conference attendee (current); Feed My Starving Children volunteer (past); Adopt-a-Highway 100 cleanup (past).
Family: Jason (married 16 years), children: Josie (15) and Wyatt (13).
Hobbies/Extra-curricular activities: Reading, yoga, yard work and gardening, kids' sports, vacationing.
Is there something about you that we would find surprising? (e.g., are you a pilot, do you volunteer as a clown, are you a master gardener?): I teach Sunday School.

Mark Hansen - Director - DPW/City Engineer

Employed by: City of Coon Rapids
Past employment: City of Lakeville (1 year); SRF Consulting Group (13 years).
Years active in APWA-MN: 16 years
Activities in APWA-MN (past and current): Awards Committee member 2007 to present; Awards Committee Chair 2008-2012; Director Consultant 2012-2013; Communications Committee member 2009-2012; Director DPW/City Engineer 2021 to present.
Other professional accomplishments/awards/recognitions, etc.: Chapter Hugo G. Erickson award recipient in 2014.
Family: Married to Andrea (17 years); father to two children - Emily (11 years) and Charlie (7 years).
Hobbies/Extra-curricular activities: Member of the City of Fridley Environmental Quality and Energy Commission, and Chair of the City of Fridley Planning Commission. Enjoy reading, playing guitar/banjo, craft beer, fishing, and spending time with family.

Steve Iverson - Director - Outstate

Employed by: City of Moorhead Public Works
Past employment: Engineering Tech, Planner/Zoning Administrator, construction Manager, Land Developer, Civil Consulting.
Years active in APWA-MN: 1 year
Activities in APWA-MN (past and current): Executive Committee.
Family: Married to Brenda since 1995. Oldest son Alex is a Junior majoring in Biochemistry/Microbiology and minoring in golf at Bemidji State, youngest son Blake is a Senior at Park Christian High School in Moorhead, likely heading to NDSU in the fall. 
Hobbies/Extra-curricular activities: Steve, his wife Brenda, and sons Alex and Blake enjoy Minnesota’s 4-season outdoor activities, preferably in, on, or around water. Steve and Brenda enjoy traveling when the boy’s sporting events don’t take precedent. Steve has served on a variety of non-profit boards, most recently as past President of the Moorhead Youth Hockey Association, currently on the Trinity Lutheran Church Council/council liaison on the building committee, and has been President of the Park Christian School Athletic club since 2018.  

Jessa Trboyevich - Director - State/Regional/County

Employed by: Hennepin County
Past employment: 7 years with a consulting firm.
Years active in APWA-MN: 9 years
Activities in APWA-MN (past and current): I am an active member of both the Awards Committee (since 2013) and the Conference Planning Committee (since 2019). I'm looking forward to being even more engaged with the chapter as liaison for both the Asset Management and Public Awareness committees and a member of the Executive Committee. 
Other professional accomplishments/awards/recognitions, etc.: I enjoy sharing the civil engineering profession with students of all ages. I've mentored several students through the University of Minnesota's program and supported the Future Cities Competition over the years by scoring essays, judging presentations, and co-mentoring a team.
Family: I met my husband, Chris, when we worked together at SRF Consulting Group, Inc. We've been married 10 years and have two kids, Kira (7) and Max (5). All three love to play hockey, so I spend my winters as a hockey wife and mom.
Hobbies/Extra-curricular activities: I love traveling and spending my time outdoors with my family and friends. I like to go camping and hiking in the summer and cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating in the winter. I'm also constantly reading and listening to books or podcasts.  
Is there something about you that we would find surprising? (e.g., are you a pilot, do you volunteer as a clown, are you a master gardener?): When I was in high school I dreamed of being an FBI profiler. Somehow I ended up going into engineering (I missed math classes, who knew), but I live vicariously through others by listening to true crime and wrongful conviction podcasts. 

Alex Jordan - Director - Young Professional

Employed by: City of Lakeville
Past employment: SRF Consulting, Inc. (2 years).
Years active in APWA-MN: 8 years
Activities in APWA-MN (past and current): Young Professionals Committee (previous Committee Chair); MN2050 (past member); Raise our Grade Subcommittee (past member); 2016 PWX Technical Tour Committee (past member).
Other professional accomplishments/awards/recognitions, etc.: Nominated by the Minnesota Chapter for the APWA 2019 Myron Calkins Young Leader of the Year Award; Registered Professional Civil Engineer; 2016 MN Chapter Young Leader Scholarship Award Recipient to attend PWX; Minnesota Public Works Leadership Academy Graduate.
Family: Married - Kristin Jordan (10 years); Children - Raglan (5); Parker (4).
Hobbies/Extra-curricular activities: I enjoy spending time with my family, which includes my wife Kristin and two sons Raglan (5) and Parker (4). The kids keep me busy while I'm not working. I have served on the City of Savage Planning Commission since 2017. I enjoy spending time outside, fishing, running and coaching Pre-K Baseball and Basketball.
Is there something about you that we would find surprising? (e.g., are you a pilot, do you volunteer as a clown, are you a master gardener?): I was a DJ in college in downtown Minneapolis and Dinkytown.

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