Elissa Hansen | (218) 481-7737 | ehansen@northspan.org
Northspan is pleased to announce that Laura Nilsen has joined its team as our Operations Specialist. Laura brings significant previous administrative experience and will be a valuable asset as we expand our reach.
In her position, Laura will assist with the administration of several Northspan programs, including maintenance of the Northland Connection database of sites and buildings, NORTHFORCE job listings, and Minnesota Opportunity Collaborative project directory. She will support ongoing work for numerous long-running Northspan regional facilitation efforts and work with Amanda Vuicich to ensure smooth internal operations for the organization.
Before joining Northspan, Laura spent the last eight years as a Student Information Specialist with the Carlton School District, a role in which she managed student data, program finances, and reporting to the state. Previously she held other miscellaneous administrative positions across a range of industries, including manufacturing, finance, telecommunications, and retail. She holds a bachelor’s degree in legal studies in business administration from University of St. Thomas and a dual master’s degree in management and business with a concentration in public administration from the College of St. Scholastica. In her free time, Laura enjoys vegetable gardening and has been active in the community in Carlton, including assistance with events for the school district. She lives in rural Carlton County with her husband and four children.
In addition, Amanda Vuicich has been promoted to Associate Consultant & Operations Manager. After serving as an Operations Manager for the past year, Amanda will now spend more time working directly with clients. Amanda has already begun to assist Vice President Bob Palmquist with SBA deals and administration of the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission’s Revolving Loan Fund and has also begun work in community development by joining Research Director Karl Schuettler on business retention and expansion visits on the East Range and in Sandstone. She will retain several of her existing operations duties and work with Laura to ensure successful and timely management of Northspan’s internal workings.
Other Northspan employees’ titles have changed as part of a larger effort to create career pathways for our employees and update human resources policies. Bob Palmquist is now Northspan’s Vice President and Karl Schuettler is now its Research Director & Consultant. Reach out to President & CEO Elissa Hansen for more information on the latest developments at Northspan.