Staff & Board

Melissa has over a decade of experience in Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Development, everything from starting her own business, to managing small business, to consulting small businesses and doing economic development for small business development programs. She holds her CEcD and EDP certifications from the International Economic Development Corporation, as well as a bachelor’s degree from UW-Eau Claire in Marketing.

Amanda is a lifelong resident of Western WI. She grew up on a hobby farm in River Falls with her five older siblings. She graduated from UW-Stout in Education and a Business minor. She has served as a Director at Trinity Early Childhood Academy and as an Administrative Assistant at the Hudson School District. Outside of work, she loves to be up north on the lake, traveling, trying new things and cooking with her husband! She is excited to partner with the community, businesses and incoming families in the St. Croix Valley.

Tom is a business, real estate and municipal attorney with Eckberg Lammers, PC a law firm with offices in Hudson and Stillwater, MN. He has worked in the St. Croix community for the past five years advising businesses in various transaction and serves as the civil city attorney for several communities.

Scott brings 34 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with First National Bank River Falls and focuses on commercial banking in the western Wisconsin market. He is involved with the River Falls Sunshine Fund, a local student lead non-profits, Rotary, and serves on the River Falls City Council as President. He was also past Board Chair of the River Falls Chamber of Commerce.

Carrie Borgstrom is a Business Banking Officer with Royal Credit Union, serving New Richmond, River Falls, Somerset, Hudson, and surrounding areas. She enjoys helping small business owners find the right lending solution to take their business to the next level. As an Ambassador for New Richmond Area Chamber, River Falls Chamber, and Somerset Chamber, she is very involved in the local communities. Carrie serves as Vice Chair for Forward New Richmond, working towards the growth, development, and vision for the city. She is also a board member of the New Richmond Area Community Foundation.

Tom Aaby is currently the Senior Vice President of Business Development at OEM Fabricators Inc. in Woodville, WI. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Stout with a degree in Industrial Technology with a concentration in Manufacturing Engineering. Tom has completed Executive Development programs at the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Business and the University of Wisconsin Business School. Tom also just completed his first year as a Board Member for the Wisconsin Technology Council. He has three grown children and has lived in Rush River Township with his wife Mary for more than 30 years.

Bob is the Vice Chairman of the St Croix County Board of Supervisors and chairs it Public Protection and Judiciary Committee. He has previously served on the EDC Board. Educated as an attorney, he worked for roughly forty years in the Washington DC area to include lengthy periods with the U.S. Senate, the Federal Judiciary, and as a consultant with the World Bank and USAID on international projects. He also had a military career in the Army including service in the first Gulf War and later as Director of Strategic
Defense Education for a major military association. He is Vice President of the Wisconsin Association of Scholars and on the board of Free Speech for Campus Inc. He and his wife, Patricia, live south of Hudson in Troy Burne. They both enjoy golf, history, reading and travel.

Liz Pizzi serves as the Associate Dean of Workforce and Community Development at Northwood Technical College, where she leads strategic initiatives focused on business and industry partnerships, professional development, and customized training across northwest Wisconsin. With a strong background in program and grant management, Liz has successfully implemented innovative workforce solutions aligned with regional economic priorities. 

As a board member of St. Croix EDC, Liz brings her passion for talent development, employer engagement, and community collaboration to support the growth of the St. Croix Valley. She is committed to advancing cross-sector partnerships that address workforce, housing, and business development needs throughout the region. 

Sheri Marnell, Ph.D., is the Director of the St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center, a non-profit business incubator. She has helped over 40 businesses grow. She enjoys talking ‘business’ to anyone and everyone, loving to learn about new businesses and tour facilities, she has been through hundreds in her career. She has been with the Universities of Wisconsin since 2016. Before Higher Education, she spent 16 years at Target HQ in various leadership roles, driving innovation, organizational change, and delivering solid results. She has a BS in Apparel Design & Development, MBA, and Ph.D. in Business Management, research on Leading Innovators. Sheri and spouse Tim are both Hudson grads and moved back in 2005 where they are raising/raised their 4 children. In Sheri’s free time she is with her family/ friends, on an adventure, traveling, trying new things, playing cards, puzzles, and anything outdoors.

Mike is a co-founder and principal of Velocity Public Affairs. He has over 20 years of experience helping clients manage issues, crisis events, address challenges, and maximize opportunities that involve creating and executing effective communications. Mike provides public affairs, media relations, crisis communications, grassroots advocacy, online content strategy, and marketing support for businesses, nonprofits, government entities, and advocacy organizations. 

He has served as communications director for St. Paul mayor Norm Coleman, deputy communications director for governor-elect Jesse Ventura’s transition office, deputy communications director for the Minnesota Republican Party during the 1998 campaign season, and deputy press secretary for Minnesota governor Arne H. Carlson. He has also provided media relations counsel to political campaigns and elected officials. Mike has strong connections with Twin Cities media that he leverages to help clients target the appropriate media contacts and outlets. 

Steve Massey is the President at Westfields Hospital & Clinic in New Richmond, Wisconsin. He has been in that role since August, 2011. He has led the organization through a number of strategic initiatives, including the joining of Westfields Hospital and New Richmond Clinic to form Westfields Hospital & Clinic in 2013, significant capital investments into the campus, and several new services being added including orthopedic expansion in partnership with TRIA, retail pharmacy and urgent care. Under his leadership, Westfields Hospital & Clinic was named a top 20 Critical Access Hospital by the Chartis Center for Rural Health and the National Rural Health Association for five straight years (2019-2023). Steve received his undergraduate degree from Missouri State University. He has a master’s in healthcare administration from the University of Minnesota. Steve, his wife Nicole and live in New Richmond and have three sons. He has served on the New Richmond Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, including the role of president. He has served on the New Richmond Youth Hockey Association Board and volunteers at Grace Place, a local transitional housing organization.

Maren Valentine is the founder and owner of Oso Clean Janitorial Service, serving St. Croix and Pierce counties since 2013. She also works as a Business Consultant with the River Falls Small Business Development Center at UW-River Falls. Her extensive experience in trades, architectural coatings, and sales is complimented by her MA in Liberal Studies from UW-Milwaukee and her BA in Women and Gender Studies from UMN- Twin Cities. Maren enjoys spending time with her family, friends, dogs, and resides in Kinnikinnick Township.