Our Board Of Directors
The Board operates on Consensus Decision-Making process with a Leadership Model of overseeing six different areas of operations of BMP. Terms of service are three years and a person may serve up to two consecutive terms. Should you be interested in serving we would welcome your application.
BJ ALLEN
Governance Leadership, Term through 2024
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BJ comes to the Balsam Moon Board with experience in organizational development largely in the renewable energy and energy efficiency space. BJ received a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Minnesota Duluth, and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of San Diego. She is currently employed by Region Five Development Commission as Deputy Director with focus areas including Energy and Environment planning, fundraising for regional climate resilience efforts, and project management. Delivering complex assistance to local units of government, businesses and the general public, she facilitates public engagement, and conducts high level project/program design and implementation, including securing funding.. BJ loves her many hobbies and as another local yokel,
feels privileged to support Barb, Doug, and Balsam Moon in this capacity.
MELISSA OLSON
Spirituality/Hospitality Leadership, Term through 2026
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Melissa recently joined the Board and we welcome her. She comes with much experience creating and running her own business "Guiding Spirit Journeys" leading groups into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area for personal growth experiences in the wilderness, while also instilling a deep respect and appreciation for nature. She also brings her bookkeeping skills and loves to work with Excel. She and her family reside in the Pequot Lakes area.
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She also loves Morel mushrooms and has taught classes at Balsam Moon on how to forage them. Melissa is a Master Naturalist for Crow Wing County Extension and also leads forest bathing experiences.
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Finance Leadership, Term through 2022
JIM ETZEL
Buildings & Grounds Leadership, Term through 2025
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Jim has been part of the local community for many years and currently owns and operates Earth is Our Home Environmental Solutions, Hackensack, MN. His passion is building / growing soil and he's tireless in teaching others sharing his knowledge and skills with all who will engage. Ask him about mycorrhizal fungi and the intricate life beneath our feet. He's quickly become part of Balsam Moon Preserve and was/is co-lead on the Field Regeneration Project 2022-current to help build soil and habitat for the creatures among us. He lives simply and sustainably and is a real asset to Balsam Moon.
BENJAMIN TSAI
Financial Leadership, Term through 2025
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Benjamin was first introduced to Balsam Moon Preserve through a mutual friend and he jumped in and participated in the Timberframe Pavilion workshop in 2021 providing skills and spirit as that project came into being. He works for Nexus Community Partners as Director of The Worker Ownership Initiative since 2019. The Worker Ownership Initiative (WOI) seeks to build and retain community wealth by assisting with the conversion of privately-owned businesses into employee-owned cooperatives. His experience and skills in cooperative organizing, management, investments, marketing, and strategic planning adds a great deal to Balsam Moon as we continue to develop and grow as an organization. His commitment to sustainability, community, simplicity and social justice come through in all he does.
JOEL LINDSTROM
Program Leadership, Term through 2026
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Joel recently signed on for his second term of service on the Board. He comes to the Board via his friendship with Doug and Barb and having been part of RREAL for years as the electrician specifically trained in solar installations (now retired). His fresh perspective and commitment to doing things differently are appreciated. In Joel’s words: This is my first time as a board member. Though raised in the Cities, I left ASAP and have lived in this area since my early 20s. I have been an electrician all my life, with gardens always and small livestock-raising sometimes. About 2004, I started doing a few solar projects with BJ's husband Jay, more and more every year, ultimately working with them both and becoming an employee. Even had the privilege of designing and helping install the large PV system at Balsam Moon, among other things, about a decade ago. At that point, I was helping lots of people use less electricity instead of more! My winter hobbies include reading, snowshoeing, the occasional bike ride, watching the river go by, and keeping up this old place in Wilson Township, SE of Pine River. I look forward to working together with y'all on this incredible project and am honored to have been asked.
BARB MANN
Promo & Communications Leadership, Term through 2025
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Barb offered to serve an additional year on the Board to help stagger the terms. She serves as one of the founders of Balsam Moon Preserve along with partner Doug Weiss, and brings a variety of skills, experiences, and passion to the Board representing the residents living at BMP. In her words: I grew up in rural Western NY State and was an active 4H-er, which laid the groundwork for my passion for community and giving back, care of the land and of each other. I’ve been in Minnesota since fall 1981 in Minneapolis, to Ely, Brownton & finally Pine River in 1993. I’ve done community organizing/programming, seamstress creations in varying capacities, Community Education & leadership, food co-op development, social justice, spiritual development, community gardens, farm market coordination, and parenting a daughter (now 33 in NYC). My primary focus is now helping develop Balsam Moon – my heart & home – with my partner Doug Weiss. Spirituality is at the core of how I live life and experience everything. Digging in the dirt is a MUST along with baking my sweetie treaties (I’ve Scottish & English ancestry)! I’ve gardened everywhere I’ve been since I was 8 years old to varying degrees and my greatest passion now is growing FLOWERS and sharing them with others. This place is the culmination of many dreams and I’m excited to be part of this enchanted adventure called life, serving others on this board and in life.
SPECIAL THANKS TO PAST BOARD MEMBERS!
Colleen Curran 2021-2024
Jono Droege 2021-2022
Joan Ingebrigtson, 2021-2022