FEatured FEWs

Tammy Reis 

Vice President - Loan Officer 

American National Bank of MN

FEW Member since February 2016

Hometown: Osakis, MN

Family: I am married to Paul for 36 years and we have two grown sons who are married, 1 grandson and 1 grandchild on the way. They both live around here.

What do you actually do at work?

I do mostly mortgage loans of all shapes and sizes.  Land Loans, Construction Loans, Home Purchase and Refinance, Home Equity Lines of Credit, Home Improvement and Investment property purchases.  

Do you have a mentor? 

My husband is my mentor. He owns a business and we have lots to talk about each evening!

Last Vacation Spot?  

Ice Fishing in my Ice Castle on Leech Lake

Do you work in the field you were educated in?

I do not. I went to St Cloud Business College for Travel Management and did that for one year and then was hired as a receptionist at a bank in Edina and I’ve been in banking ever since.  I have learned from many great people in this business.

What do you do for fun?

Fishing, hiking, 4 wheeling and snowmobiling

What's one word your friends say best describes you?

Good listener and teacher

What would other FEW members be surprised to learn about you?

I love to play the piano and grew up playing the piano, clarinet and saxophone.  Currently taking piano lessons again at the Wirth Center.

What is your personal business philosophy?  

Be nice, honest and hardworking

Leila Utsch

Alumni Relations Event and Office Coordinator

College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University

FEW Member since July 2018

Hometown: Paynesville, MN

Family: Jerry Utsch, Children: Josh, Adam, Chris and Carissa. I have 10 grandchildren ages ranging from 18 - 3 years.

What do you actually do at work?

 Along with the director of alumni coordinate and execute all event logistics for all alumni events from organizing and marketing events to registration, payment processing, paying deposits, food, beverages and other event details. Scheduling and event coordinator for the Alumni Board and their four annual meetings. Partner will athletics department and Director of Alumni Relations on J-Club and J-Fund duties, Including scheduling of J-Club Board Meetings, J-Club Events and J-Club marketing and communications. Working with the business office regarding all budgets for the alumni office and events. Other duties as assigned. 

What was your first job (ever)? 

In high school, I worked with two special needs elementary students for an hour and a half, 3 times a week for two years.

Is your desk/office messy or organized?  

Honestly, it depends on the time of the year. During my busy time of the year it is usually a mess but in my quiet time my office is more clean and organized.

Who was your favorite teacher and what did they teach you?

Mr. Novak, American History

Do you have a mentor?

Fr. Don Talafous, OSB

Last book read?

“Room for You” by Beth Ehemann

Last vacation spot?

St. Pete’s Beach and Fort Myers, Florida

Biggest indulgence?  

Peanut Butter Snickers

What do you do for fun?  

Cooking and baking it is my relaxation.

What one word would friends say best describes you?  

Achiever

Maretta Johannes

Licensed Aesthetician/Certified Laser Technician CE,CLT & Licensed Permanent Makeup Technician/Injection Specialist

Omni Cosmetic (St. Cloud & Wayzata)

FEW Member since 2007

Hometown: Sartell

Family: I am married to my wonderful husband Ken; I have a son (Brandon), a daughter (Brittaney), and four adorable granddaughters.

What do you actually do at work?

My focus has always been on using the best technology available to provide the best skin care procedures for men and women under my care at Omni Cosmetic. My specialty is in both non-surgical and non-invasive medical skin care procedures. I do the Halo laser procedure and PhotoFacial BBL treatments to correct my client’s skin damage/sun damage and give them “Halo glow” back to their skin. I love customizing a skincare treatment to help a client achieve desired goals. I have advanced education and training in Sciton laser procedures, SkinPen Microneedling, personalized HydraFacial treatments, Botox, Fillers, and Permanent Cosmetics for signature eyeliner, Microblading for eyebrows and permanent makeup for lip/liner tattooing.

How do you help others succeed? 

By being a good listener, communicating my knowledge to others and by sharing my connections to people; to benefit a person seeking help in growth professionally and personally.

Is your desk/office messy or organized?  

Organized. I am strictly thorough to minute details.

Are you a task-oriented person or a people-oriented person? 

People-oriented person. I love helping my clients like what they see in the mirror.

Last vacation spot?

Jamaica. My beautiful daughter had an intimate wedding on the beach.

What do you do for fun?

I enjoy spending time with my family, volunteering for Church functions; I am an exercise enthusiast and enjoy traveling, reading, walking, and home improvement.

What would other FEW members be surprised to learn about you?

I started out teaching skincare for ten years before getting into medical Aesthetics industry. I continue to enjoy public speaking at events and organizations and sharing my knowledge with Aesthetic students throughout Minnesota.

What one word would friends say best describes you?  

Compassionate

Rebecca Hoffman

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Gratitude Counseling LLC

FEW Member since August 2018

Hometown: Melrose

Family: I am a mother of one son, age 20

What do you actually do at work?

Provide therapy for individuals, couples and families

How do you help others succeed? 

I focus on the positives, listen, and help define goals. I am often described as a very genuine and encouraging person.

Is your desk/office messy or organized?  

Organized, but there are days...

Last book read? 

Educated by Tara Westover.  I was fascinated to see how she overcame so much and went on to thrive.

Last vacation spot?

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, just got back the second week of January! The turquoise water was amazing.

What is your personal or business philosophy?

My favorite quote is “She believed she could, so she did.”  My philosophy is to envision where I want to be while believing I can get there.

What would other FEW members be surprised to learn about you?

I received the scholarship from FEW in 2005. I always appreciated this honor from this group of professional women, and so when I had the opportunity to join, I jumped at it.

What one word would friends say best describes you?  

Compassionate

Name: Tracy Jacobs 

Tax Manager

BerganKDV

FEW Member since August 2017

Hometown:

Annandale, MN

Family:

Husband - Allan, 12 year-old son - Lucas, 5 year-old daughter - Zeeva, Great Dane - Sika

What do you actually do at work?

To keep it short, I help clients and staff with questions and help solve problems, review tax returns, compiled and reviewed financial statements, and payroll filings that have been prepared by staff.

What was your first job (ever)?

Aid for the physics department at Mankato State

Is your desk/office messy or organized?

Usually organized (depending on how far into tax season it is)

Are you a task-oriented person or a people-oriented person?

More of a task oriented person.

Who was your favorite teacher, and what did they teach you?

Mr. Altman - 8th grade shop class.  He was also my basketball coach who taught the importance of being there for your team (we had 6 players on the team).

Last book read?

Working on The 36-Hour Da

Last vacation spot?

Alaska - loved it

Do you work in the field you were educated in?

Yes

What do you do for fun?  

Going to the movies with my kids, running, triathlons, making quilts.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A chiropractor

What is your favorite (clean) joke?

What’s a penguins favorite food? Ice-burgers

Name: Lori Braegelmann

Regional Coordinator, Central Minnesota (12 years)

Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota

Member since 2016

How do you help others succeed?

I help others succeed by being curious about them, supporting them with enthusiasm and inspiration, and conveying that I want them to be successful.

Is your desk/office messy or organized?
My work space is um, a-hem ... full, with piles. But the piles are all organized and I know where to find things.

What is the last book you read? 
A Legacy Unrivaled, The Story of John Gagliardi by Boz Bostrom

Where was your last vacation spot?
At my best friend's cabin on Little Birch Lake.

What is your biggest indulgence?
Strong coffee, but that's tied with chips and fresh salsa.

What do you do for fun? 
I love to walk, read, do puzzles, and spend time with my grandkids.

What would other FEW members be surprised to learn about you?
I love public speaking. It gives me energy to speak in front of a group, from 20 to 200 people.

Name: Nina Lasceski, OSB

Associate and Planned Gift Specialist,
Office of Mission Advancement,
Saint Benedict's Monastery

Member since 2016

What was your first job (ever)?

As a teenager, I did babysit for various families in the town where I grew up. My first retail job was in a very small book store in the city next to the town I lived in. The owner usually ran the store herself and needed someone to work for her so that she would not have to be present day in and day out. After being trained, there were certain afternoons when I indeed did work in the store alone as cashier. Since the store was so small, I learned many tasks concerning books like how to order them from the publishers (before the Internet!), how to stock shelves, and how to do inventory. 
I got to create and set up fun window displays as well.

How do you help others succeed?

As much as I can, I try to look life and situations with a glass half full instead of empty attitude. I do my best to help others see how this can help them too. Another area I emphasize is the importance of having patience, both in yourself and in others.

Who was your favorite teacher and what did they teach you?

Oh, this one is a hard one, because I had so many. In elementary school, I enjoyed Mrs. McConnell, as she read each of the Little House on the Prairie books to her classes every year, including mine. I grew up in Michigan, and who would have guessed many years later, I would live in the state highlighted in those books. In high school, my favorite was my speech teacher, Mrs. Strachan. She always encouraged me and enriched my love of public speaking.

Do you work in the field in which you were educated?

Well, sort of. I have a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Broadcast and Cinematic Arts. One of the duties for my job is writing radio advertisements for our monastery. When we need a video produced, I help with that too. I had two minors in college, one being Business Law and Regulation. This knowledge is helpful in my planned giving role. Before coming to the monastery, I worked ten years in the broadcasting field and then ten years in the call center customer service profession.

Biggest indulgence?

Pizza.

What do you do for fun?

Sing. I first began to sing in my church choir in the sixth grade and I have been singing ever since.  Currently, I sing in the monastery schola and in the Great River Chorale in Saint Cloud.

What one word would friends say best describes you?

Well, can I say two? Detail oriented.

Name: Crystal Brink

Account Executive, Innovative Office Solutions

What was your first job (ever)?

Nurse's Aide, Country Manor, Sartell

How do you help others succeed?

I encourage and give honest advice on how to improve.

Are you a task-oriented person or a people-centered person?

I am task-centered as a sales person. I need to make sure everything for my customer is done in a timely manner. I have lists!

Who was your favorite teacher and what did they teach you?

Mr. Kroll, my 5th grade teacher. He taught me learning can be fun. He gave me the fire to keep on learning and always strive to make myself better. He actually received Teacher of the Year the year after I had him.

Do you have a mentor?

Two. My mom and my sister.

What do you do for fun?

Golf and hang out with friends and family.

What is your personal or business philosophy?

Always treat others as you would like to be treated. You don’t know what is going on in their lives.