Office Hours
Open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Closed at 3:30 p.m. on Fridays, Memorial Day through Labor Day
The RNDC office is closed most major holidays. Please go to the Calendar for more information.
Our staff follows a hybrid schedule. Please call ahead or contact an RNDC staff member to schedule a meeting.
3 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 310
Mankato, MN 56001
Phone Number: (507) 387-5643
Toll-Free: (800) 450-5643
Let us contact you, please fill out the form below and we will get back to you!
Contact Us
Employment
Staff Directory
For directions to Region Nine’s offices click here.
Administration
Nicole Griensewic
Executive Director
See Biography
507-387-5643
nicole@rndc.org
Nicole Griensewic
Nicole Griensewic’s passion for public service is reflected in the accomplishments of the Region Nine Development Commission. These include national innovation awards for projects in transportation, welcoming communities, climate change, medical device manufacturing, and flood mitigation. As executive director of the economic development district in Southern Minnesota, Griensewic has made it a priority to foster collaboration and engagement by sharing Region Nine’s story both nationally and globally for over ten years.
Under her leadership, Region Nine has become an active member of the University of Minnesota’s Climate Smart Municipalities program with North Rhine-Westphalia. Region Nine is the first region to join the partnership. Since then, Griensewic has been asked to serve on the State of Minnesota’s Clean Economy Workgroup as well as a national group, Gender Equity in Transportation (GET) Collaborative.
Griensewic is an active board member for multiple organizations throughout Minnesota. After serving as an executive committee member for the University of Minnesota’s Center for Transportation studies, Griensewic was selected to be the organization’s first female Chair. Griensewic also serves on the National Association of Development Organizations’ (NADO) board of directors, the Greater Minnesota Partnership board of directors, South Central College’s Center for Agriculture as an advisory board member, and Minnesotans for the American Community Survey as a board member.
Griensewic is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and was recently honored with the Alumnus Award. Griensewic is currently completing an executive certificate on economic development from the Harvard Kennedy School. Griensewic’s background also includes extensive private sector and non-profit leadership experience.
Jessica Beyer
Deputy Director
See Biography
507-646-9631
jessica@rndc.org
Jessica Beyer
Prior to joining RNDC in 2024, Jessica servedas President & Chief Executive Officer of Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. leading regional economic development efforts and overseeing business units including Greater Mankato Growth, Visit Mankato, City Center Partnership and GreenSeam, following her tenure as County Administrator in Waseca County. She has twenty years of leadership experience within the nonprofit sector, government administration, community development, sales, and communications. Jessica has a master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in organizational leadership, and a bachelor’s degree in business management and mass communications from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Greater Mankato has been home to Jessica the majority of her life and she has been active in the community volunteering and serving on the Boards of the Mankato Area Foundation, Blue Earth County Historical Society, Greater Mankato Area United Way and most recently the Mankato Clinic Foundation and Mayo Clinic Health System Regional Board. In addition to her community involvement, Beyer has completed the Blandin Community Leadership Program, the Greater Mankato Leadership Institute and the Elizabeth Kearney Women’s Leadership Program.
Outside of her involvement in the Greater Mankato community, Jessica was selected as a 2010 International German Marshall Memorial Fellow and 2011-12 University of Minnesota Humphrey Policy Fellow. Additionally, she was a 2015 graduate of the Certified Public Communicator Program at Texas Christian University and later sat on the program’s Board. Jessica has a passion for engagement and has given her time and expertise in serving on boards and advisory committees as part of key leadership roles at the national and state level including on the National Association of Counties Board.
Jessica enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, photography and spending time with family. She resides in Mankato with her husband Kurt, daughter Kailey and yellow Labrador Josey.
Sarah Janovsky
Executive Assistant
See Biography
507-389-8864
sarahj@rndc.org
Sarah Janovsky
Sarah joined RNDC in March 2024 as the Executive Assistant, bringing years of experience to the role. She grew up locally and attended Minnesota State University, Mankato, earning degrees in Recreation and Parks and Business Administration.
Nathan George
Communications Manager
See Biography
507-389-8873
nate@rndc.org
Nathan George
Nathan George joined RNDC in February 2022 as the Communications Specialist. He brings with him experience in design, communications, social media, and project management.
Nathan is a Mankato native and has lived in the area most of his life. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication at Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2015. Before joining RNDC, his experience was in the print and advertising industries.
Finance
Stephanie Hilpipre
Finance Director
See Biography
507-389-8885
stephanieh@rndc.org
Stephanie Hilpipre
Before joining Region Nine, Stephanie played a key role in launching and managing her family’s small business. She was Firm Administrator for her husband’s law practice and navigated the many financial and administrative challenges of building a business from the ground up. Prior to that, Stephanie spent seven years in the financial industry as a Pension Consultant, managing actuarial and compliance responsibilities for a portfolio of over 100 pension and 401(k) plans. Earlier in her career, she worked as both Office Manager and Press Fleet Manager for Ford Motor Company’s Corporate Public Relations office in New York City. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics and Economics, cum laude, from Syracuse University.
Stephanie’s heritage includes multiple generations of small business owners and farmers within the borders of Region Nine. That deep-rooted connection to the region fuels her passion for strengthening local economies and supporting rural communities. Her return to Minnesota during the pandemic reaffirmed her commitment to community and public service. She has served as Clerk for her township, board member for the Le Sueur County Association of Townships, and as a Region Nine Commissioner, where she was a member of the Budget and Personnel Committee. In 2024, while serving as a commissioner, she represented Region Nine on an Energy Transition Delegation to Denmark.
Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys international travel and living the “lake life” with her husband and two children, Alannah and Conor.
Jazmine Flores
Lending Specialist
See Biography
507-389-8889
jazmine@rndc.org
Jazmine Flores
Jazmine Flores joined RNDC in July 2024 as the organization’s Lending Specialist. Her work includes marketing the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program, managing RNDC’s loan portfolio, and underwriting new loans.
Jazmine grew up in the Madelia/St. James area and earned her degree in business management from Rasmussen College, setting the stage for her career in finance and banking. With a background rooted in banking and lending, Jazmine transitioned to a pivotal role at Mankato Clinic, where she specialized in payroll and finance before joining RNDC.
Jazmine has also served on many boards including the Mayo Clinic Community Board- St. James, Wellspring Faith in Action, and Early Childhood Family Education in Watonwan County.
Community and Economic Development
Kristian Braekkan, Ph.D.
Economic Development Director
See Biography
507-389-8862
kristian@rndc.org
Kristian Braekkan
Kristian Braekkan joined Region Nine in February 2018. His work relates to resource development, economic development, and industrial projects.
Kristian completed his Ph.D. at Virginia Tech in 2010. His research on industrial relations spans a wide variety of contexts, such as steel, coal, health care, manufacturing, and service industries. He has presented and published his research domestically and internationally.
Alejandra Bejarano
Economic Recovery Planner
See Biography
507-389-8871
alejandra@rndc.org
Alejandra Bejarano
Alejandra Bejarano joined Region Nine in 2020. She currently works as an economic recovery planner, and previously as a fellow for the Lead for Minnesota fellowship program. She is excited about continuing to work with Region Nine in creating vibrant and resilient communities.
Alejandra holds a master’s in public administration from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Alejandra hails from Colombia and moved to the United States at a young age to play college tennis. She has diverse background experience in both the private and public sectors and is passionate about exploring new cultures, as she speaks multiple languages.
Alejandra have also served on different boards and organizations, including as former Vice President of the Minnesota chapter of Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) and board member for the and Minnesota French American Chamber. In 2022, Alejandra was appointed by Governor Tim Walz to represent Congressional District 1 in the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs. She also serves as Economic Development Representative to the South-Central Workforce Council.
Joel Hanif
Transportation Planner
See Biography
507-389-8870
joel@rndc.org
Joel Hanif
Joel Hanif joined Region Nine in September 2019 as a community development planner. His work includes community and economic development planning.
Joel is a native of Columbus, Georgia and a new transplant to Minnesota. Prior to joining Region Nine, he worked as a regional planner and community developer for the River Valley Regional Commission in Americus, Georgia. There, he worked on local and regional comprehensive plans, Community Development Block Grants, and other planning and grant projects. He became an AICP certified planner in January 2019. Joel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and a Master of Environmental Planning and Design from the University of Georgia.
Mark Plotz
Road Safety Transportation Planner
See Biography
507-646-9606
mark@rndc.org
Mark Plotz
Mark Plotz joined Region Nine in January 2025 as a Road Safety Transportation Planner. His primary responsibility is developing a regional comprehensive road safety action plan for RNDC’s nine county service area.
Mark grew up in North Mankato where he walked and biked to school on most days. After completing his Masters in Public Administration at Mankato State University, he relocated to the Washington DC area to work as a transportation planner.
Mark now lives in a walkable neighborhood in Saint Peter where he enjoys going on bike rides with his 4-year-old twins.
Sabri Fair
Environment and Sustainability Planner
See Biography
sabri@rndc.org
Sabri Fair
Sabri Fair is a graduate of Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he majored in Environmental Studies and Geology. Sabri joined Region Nine as a Lead for Minnesota Sustainability Fellow in August 2021. In this role, he will be working to foster a more sustainable and equitable economy in South Central Minnesota. He is excited to work with community members on existing projects and to envision new developments that will make the region economically resilient. To do this, Sabri will draw on his life experiences growing up on a farm in Michigan, living in Zanzibar, and his internships with organizations like Land O’Lakes. He is excited to learn from everyone he meets along the way and serve communities as they create economies they are excited about! Sabri is also looking forward to exploring the natural beauty and food that the region has to offer.
Samuel Sharp
Energy and Sustainability Planner
See Biography
763-302-9575
samuel@rndc.org
Samuel Sharp
Sam Sharp is a graduate of the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he majored in Biology and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Sam joined Region Nine in November 2022 as the Energy and Sustainability Planner. In this role, Sam will be supporting the integration of clean and renewable energy systems into South Central Minnesota through technical assistance, grant writing, and identifying funding opportunities applicable to these initiatives. Through these efforts, Sam will work alongside interested communities to aid in their development towards equitable, sustainable, and economically resilient futures. Sam has a background in environmental consulting, where he was able to ascertain firsthand experience working on large scale energy projects across multiple sectors. Additionally, his academic background allowed him the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience relating to the natural world and will help identify sustainable initiatives that can be approached through community collaboration. Sam has been inspired by the interest and motivation existing in the communities Region Nine serves, and greatly looks forward to the continued growth and opportunities that lay ahead.
Tom Polich
Regional Food Rescue Coordinator
See Biography
507-389-8863
tom@rndc.org
Tom Polich
Tom joined RNDC in 2025 as the Food Rescue Coordinator. He has extensive experience in meals and nutrition services serving as a Regional Program Manager for Lutheran Social Service of MN (LSS) where he oversaw food access initiatives across a 13-county area. His work included managing home-delivered meal programs, child nutrition services, and partnerships aimed at reducing food scarcity.
Before his role at LSS, Tom was the Marketing Director for Mages Land Co & Auction Service and spent over 15 years in the food and beverage industry. His deep understanding of food systems, combined with his passion for food recovery, drives his work in connecting food shelves with available resources and minimizing food waste. In his current role at RNDC, he focuses on outreach, communication, and logistics to strengthen the regional food rescue network.
Aaron Pacheco
Research Associate
See Biography
aaron@rndc.org
Aaron Pacheco
Aaron joined the Region Nine team in 2021 as a Research Associate specializing in human geography and geospatial information systems. Aaron uses his expertise to conduct spatial analyses regarding economic development as well as community and industry resilience.
Originally from California, Aaron brings to Region Nine over 15 years of experience as a small business owner, contractor, and electrician and is passionate about supporting rural economic development. After losing his business to a wildfire in 2017, he chose to return to university to take action and to help his fellow business owners and community members from a development position.
Lisa Callahan
GreenCorps Member: Community Readiness and Outreach
lisa@rndc.org
Lisa Callahan
Bio coming soon
