Board of Directors
Jodi Gertken – BLEND Coordinator – CentraCare
Jodi is the Project Coordinator for BLEND with the CentraCare Health Foundation, having joined CentraCare Health System in October, 2004. She has 10 years of experience in the public health sector having previously served as:
- Project Coordinator- Central Minnesota Heart Center
- Public Health Coordinator- Stearns County Human Services
- Health Systems Manager- American Cancer Society
- Public Health Specialist – Morrison County Public Health
She received her undergraduate degree in Community Health and is finishing her M.S. degree at St. Cloud State University.
Jodi was born and raised in St. Cloud Minnesota. She’s an exercise enthusiast who enjoys running, spending time with her family, and advocating for strong policies that create healthy, active communities.
Kathy Geislinger – BLEND Program Specialist – CentraCare
Kathy received her undergraduate degree in Community Health from St. Cloud State University in 2007. She joined the staff of CentraCare Health Foundation in February 2008.
Kathy is passionate about youth sports and their ability to provide character development and life skills. She is ardent about community service, with over 14 years of experience in community volunteering.
Kathy was born and raised in Central MN and resides in Watkins with her family.
Todd Steinke – Dir. Of Development – CentraCare Health Foundation
Todd has been with the CentraCare Health Foundation since 2004 and currently serves as the director of development.
Todd has fiduciary oversight and stewardship responsibility for all Foundation funds, as well as lead staff responsibility for the Foundation Community Collaboration Committee and Grants Committee. Todd received his bachelor of science degree from Minnesota State University – Moorhead, MN.
Before coming to the CentraCare Health Foundation Todd was employed as the director of operations for Innovis Health and regional director of strategic services for Banner Health System. He has over 15 years of experience in the healthcare industry.
Dave Tilstra M.D. – CentraCare Clinic President
Medical School: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IAResidency: Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IAFellow: American Academy of PediatricsFellowship: Medical Genetics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Board Certified: Pediatrics and Genetics
Member: American Academy of Pediatrics; American College of Medical Genetics; American Society of Human Genetics; American College of Physician Executives
Areas of Responsibility as Clinic President:
- Management of CentraCare Clinic (a multi-specialty group practice with ten clinic sites in seven communities)
- Financial planning and budgets for the clinic
- Recruitment of professional and managerial staff
- Patient care services and outcomes
- Relationships between CentraCare Clinic and referring providers in Central Minnesota
- Personal growth and development of physicians and staff
- Breadth and depth of clinic services
Length of Service: Since 1995
David L. Smith – M.D. – Sartell Pediatrics
Board Certified Pediatrics
Medical School: Wright State University, Dayton, OH, 2002 Residency: Columbus Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio. Joined St. Cloud Medical Group 2005.
Dr. Smith opened Sartell Pediatrics in the fall of 2012, making it the only independent pediatric practice in Central Minnesota.
“Dr Smith enjoys pediatrics and working with children/young adults so that we can address issues such as obesity by helping establish healthy habits early in life.”
Hobbies: Golf, watching college football.
Bob Thueringer – Chief Operating Officer – Coborn’s Inc.
Bob was named Chief Operations Officer of Coborn’s, Incorporated in 1999, where his primary responsibilities include corporate administration and store operations.
Bob started as a bagger/ stocker for the family-owned grocery store in 1967, working part-time while attending high school and then St. Cloud State University.
Upon graduation from college with a degree in marketing and history, Bob was offered the position of Operations and Personnel Manager. He has moved through the ranks and is now in his current position as Chief Operations Officer.
Bob and his wife, JoAnn, live in Sauk Rapids and have three grown children.
Brenda Braulick – Food Service Director – ISD 748
Brenda Braulick has worked in school food service for 20 years in several area school districts, most recently for the Sartell-St Stephen Public Schools.
She is passionate to empower parents and children with information to enable them to make healthy and fun food choices with an emphasis on the importance of family meal time. She is an active member of Minnesota School Food Service Association and is currently serving as President for the School Food Service Directors of Minnesota.
Brenda gives back to the community by actively serving at Crossroads Christian Church. In her free time she enjoys nature walks, gardening and reading.
Greg Gack – Executive Director St. Cloud YMCA
Greg has being serving his community through the YMCA for 20 years. This past August his family moved to St. Cloud where he began his tenure as the Executive Director of the St. Cloud Area Family YMCA. Prior to St. Cloud Greg has worked for YMCA’s in Phoenix, AZ, Salina and Kansas City, KS, and his most recent role as Executive Director of the North Branch YMCA in Wichita, Ks.
Early in his career as a Youth Program Director his passion grew to serve healthy lifestyle choices to children and families. This homecoming for his wife Kendra and two children provides Greg the opportunity to settle into our great family valued community where he begins to serve Central Minnesota.
Greg’s passion for BLEND stems from his desire to create opportunities for families to have accessible health related services.
Greg Gack – Executive Director St. Cloud YMCA
1530 Northway Dr.
St. Cloud, MN 56303
320-253-2664 office
320-253-1252 fax www.stcloudymca.com
Bill Corcoran – North Crest Gymnastics
Bill is currently the General Manager at North Crest Gymnastics, Dance, & Cheer in Sauk Rapids, MN.
Including his 11 years in the St. Cloud community, he has been involved in teaching youth activities for over 20 years at both recreational and competitive levels. His focus, strength, and passion is teaching kids how to reach their potential by setting goals, and teaching them how to achieve them. In keeping with his goal to be a healthy example to the kids and people that he works and lives with, Bill began competing as an amateur triathlete in 2000. Since then, Bill has raced in well over 70 multi-sport events, founded the Graniteman Triathlon, is the Race Director for the Paynesville Area Triathlon, and has been sponsored by Scheels and FCA since 2007.
In addition to the hundreds of kids that attend North Crest, Bill and his wife Heather currently have 6 children ranging in ages from 3 to 10.
Wendy Verkinnes – Owner of Walking Billboards – CentraCare Health Foundation Board Member
Wendy is the owner and President of Walking Billboards, Waite Park, MN. She serves on the CentraCare Health Foundation Board and has been active on the Foundation’s Community Collaboration Committee for many years having worked with Heart Healthy Central Minnesota and Smoke Free Communities. Previously, Wendy worked with HealthPartners-Central Minnesota Clinics. Wendy attended St. Cloud State University and the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and graduated with a bachelors degree in Biology and Community Health.
Wendy and her husband Gary also own Cornerstone Construction and reside in Sartell, MN., with their young son.
Mike Matanich – Stearns County Human Services
Mr. Matanich is currently the Stearns County Human Services, Public Health Division Community Health Supervisor.
As the Community Health Supervisor, Mike works across multiple discipline areas at the county, region and state levels. He works to strengthen the public health system by establishing relationships, developing new policy and implementing grant duties of the Centers for Disease Control Public Health Preparedness Grant, Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP), Child & Teen Checkup Program, Safe Communities, and Stearns County EMS and many other county level initiatives.
Previously, Mike was a Program Manager for StayWell Health Management Systems. At StayWell he managed and coordinated health and wellness programs and services across the country for a variety of organizations: The Boeing Company, Chrysler, DuPont, Amgen Inc., Wayne State University, LSG Sky Chefs and many others.
Mike has 17 years of health education experience. This experience includes assessing health risks and providing customized programming used to address the identified risk areas of diverse populations through customized programming including large clinics/screenings, onsite programming and many other forms of education and interventions.
Joseph Hill – Ed.D – Superintendent of Sartell-St. Stephen School District
A passionate and visionary leader, Joseph Hill, Ed.D. is currently serving as the superintendent of the Sartell-St. Stephen School District. Dr. Hill has also served in administrative positions in the Duluth and Alexandria School Districts.
While serving in leadership positions, he has a commitment to using data to make informed decisions, strives to create preferred working and learning conditions for all district stakeholders, and inspires positive change, positive risk taking, and continuous improvement. Known for his dedication to servant leadership, positive attitude and dedication to educational performance, Joe also enjoys investing time with his wife and family, Ironman Triathlons, outdoor activities, and music.
As a life-long learner, Joe also is an adjunct professor with St. Mary’s University School of Education Administration and has degrees from University of North Dakota, St. Cloud State University, and the University of Minnesota, Morris.
Kelli Radi – NuVal Spokesperson and Family Advocate
Kelly Radi has recently joined the BLEND Board of Directors. Her passion for nutrition, love of cooking and “real mom” connections led her to become the NuVal Spokesperson.
An advocate for community involvement and volunteerism, Kelly is involved in the Sartell-St. Stephen Education Foundation, Salem Lutheran Church of St. Cloud and was the founding president of the M.O.M.S. Club of Sartell-Sauk Rapids.
Kelly received her undergraduate degrees in Public Relations and Aviation from the University of North Dakota.
In her free time, Kelly enjoys playing tennis, cooking (& eating!) and travel. She resides in Sartell with her husband and two daughters.
