Virginia Community Foundation Board & Staff

The Virginia Community Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who are actively involved in achieving the Foundation’s mission. They live or work in the Virginia area, are knowledgeable about our community, and work hard to ensure that the spirit and intent of each gift is honored.

• 
  Laura Bachschneider St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services On the board since 2013 View Bio

  Laura Bachschneider

  Laura (Summers) Bachschneider is proud to have born and raised in Virginia and is a graduate of Virginia High School. After high school, Laura went on to receive her Bachelors Degree at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Child Development and Family Life and Education. Upon completion of college, Laura accepted a temporary, “fill in” position as a social worker for St. Louis County and continues her career as a social worker for St. Louis County 30 years later. Laura also is quite crafty and creative. She is the past co-owner of County Roads in Angora and is also the owner/operator of “Crafty B”, which she operates out of her home.
  
  Laura has served on the Board since 2013 and has served as Chair, Vice- Chair and Secretary. Laura is active in the community as has served on the Virginia Hospital Foundation Board, Festival of Trees, PTA, Virginia Volleyball Boosters, and volunteers her time in other endeavors. Laura has been blessed with wonderful family and friends and is thankful for the opportunity to raise her children in the same hometown she grew up in.
  
  Laura continues to live in Virginia with her husband, Paul, who, sadly did not get to grow up in Virginia, but who now-converted true-blue Virginia lover. Laura and Paul share two adult daughters, Holly and Annie, who are also born and raised Virginia girls who continue to live and work in Virginia. ×
• 
  Tim Riordan, Past Chair Active Community Volunteer On the board since 2015 View Bio

  Tim Riordan, Past Chair

  Tim Riordan is excited to be one of the newest members of the Virginia Community Foundation. He is passionate about the city where he has lived most of his life, and has been actively involved in the community through the Virginia Lions Club, the School Board, school booster clubs and his church, and is always willing to lend a hand to support community projects.
  
  Tim is passionate about children, families and schools. He believes in investing in the future of the city and finding ways to promote Virginia through the Foundation.
  
  In his free time, Tim enjoys golfing, bowling, and tending to his raspberry garden. He and his wife, Kathy, love traveling and spending time with their children and six grandchildren. ×
• 
  Holly Lundgren, Chair Active Community Volunteer On the board since 2014 View Bio

  Holly Lundgren, Chair

  I grew up on the west side of the Range. I graduated from Nashwauk-Keewatin High School. I have an Associate of Applied Science degree in Accounting from Itasca Community College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from the College of St. Scholastica.
  
  I have volunteered in various organizations while I was a stay-at-home- Mom (Parkview and Roosevelt PTAs, Virginia Little League Softball, VRMC Festival of Trees, Co-Chair of the Sand Lake Shuffle, Education Chair, Staff/Parish Chair and Treasurer of Peace United Methodist Church). In 2019 I joined the "family business", Lundgren Motors in Eveleth.
  
  My husband Bruce and I returned to the Virginia area in 1996. We have three children (Hayley, Olin and Anneka) all graduates of Virginia High School. ×
• 
  John Cochems, Vice Chair American Family Insurance On the board since 2015 View Bio

  John Cochems, Vice Chair

  John and his wife, Kayla, moved to the Range four years ago. John has been an Insurance Agent with American Family for eight years. They we have a son, Christian, who is three and two dogs, Annebelle and Goldie. John grew up in western Minnesota and graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2007. He currently holds the position of Agency Council Rep for his district and is on the boards for Rotary, Curl Mesabi, and the Virginia Community Foundation. His hobbies include, fishing, camping, golfing, curling, traveling, volunteering and anything outdoors. ×
• 
  Kerry Waschke Collie Ken Waschke Auto Plaza On the board since 2013 View Bio

  Kerry Waschke Collie

  Kerry Waschke Collie resides in Virginia with husband, Jeff Collie.  With children Mason and Kendall, life is good!   A very active family that enjoys all that the area has to offer. 
  
  Kerry is a 1992 VHS graduate, and went on after high school to earn two degrees in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from the University of St. Thomas.
  
  Kerry returned to the area in 1996, to help in the Family Business (Ken Waschke Auto Plaza), after her brother was seriously injured in a car accident.  After a tragic accident, you re-prioritize your values.  Family and community being critically important, she chose to stay and make a life in Virginia.  She remains committed to both.  “I love life in Virginia, but envision an even better future.  I’m proud to serve on the the Virginia Community Foundation board, where my contributions will positively impact the Virginia community. ”
  
  Kerry, proudly carries on the tradition her parents, Ken and Mary, began 32 years ago and confidently steps into the future of the Retail automotive industry, as Second Generation Dealer. 
  
  Having participated in many of the Foundation’s events for year, Kerry joined the Foundation Board in 2013.  She serves on the Fund Development committee of the Virginia Community Foundation.  She strongly believes that the growth of our Endowment will allow us to do more, with a far greater impact on the community.   ×
• 
  Erik Wedge DSGW Architects On the board since 2013 View Bio

  Erik Wedge

  Erik C. Wedge, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP -. With nearly 19 years of architectural experience is a principal at DSGW Architects a 1990 Graduate of Virginia High School and a 1996 Graduate of NDSU.  Erik has also served as the past President for the Northern Chapter of American Institute of Architects (AIA) and is currently the Planning & Zoning Administrator for the City of Gilbert, on the Virginia Educational Fund Board Member, Past executive assistant for the Gethsemane Lutheran Church Parish Planning Council, past youth hockey coach, and serves on the Mesabi Range Community Technical College Carpentry Advisory Board. In 2006, he was awarded the AIA Minnesota Presidential Citation for serving as the Northern Minnesota President on the AIA Minnesota Board and for representing the Northern members well.  He is a 2010 Blandin Community Leadership Graduate.  Erik has three Boys Jacob (18), Andrew (12) and Eli (8) in the winter he enjoys skiing and snowboarding with his boys at Giants Ridge and watching the Minnesota Wild.  In the summer he enjoys golf, fishing, and motocross with them as well.  His falls are spent partridge hunting with his springer Bella and duck or deer hunting every opportunity he gets!     ×
• 
  Leah Ryan New Journey Residence-Housing Manager On the board since 2017 View Bio

  Leah Ryan

  I am relatively new to the area and am looking for ways to become involved in our community, make friendships and set a good example for others- especially youth. As a foster parent, I want to help raise responsibly engaged world citizens and the best way to teach is by living a good example and encouraging curiosity in my choices. As an employee at the New Journey Residence, I know that this will be a mutually beneficial relationship as we can help each other keep tabs on the pulse of our community. I look forward to helping the Quad Cities area evolve and grow into the future. ×
• 
  Anthony (Tony) Harkonen, Treasurer Community Volunteer On the board since 2017 View Bio

  Anthony (Tony) Harkonen, Treasurer

  I grew up in Angora and I am a graduate of Cook High School. I attended Mesabi Community College and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis where I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Mining Engineering. I worked at the former Erie Mining Company as an Engineer for 5 years before attending UMD where I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Applied Mathematics with a teaching certification. I started a teaching career in Cook in 1985. I also taught in Cotton, at Mesabi Community College, and ended 32 years of teaching at Hibbing High School. I retired last June. I have been a certified basketball official for over 30 years and also have officiated football and baseball. My wife of almost 32 years, Robin, and I have lived in the Midway neighborhood for 29 years. We have one daughter Dr. Brittany (Nate) Ortler and two beautiful granddaughters. Robin is the Executive Director of the East Range DAC in Eveleth and Brittany is an Advanced Practice Clinician for Essentia Health in Duluth. Nate works at United Taconite. I look forward to working with all the other Board members and staff at the Virginia Community Foundation and serving the business owners and citizens of Virginia. It has been a challenging and rewarding experience so far. ×
• 
  Tucker Nelson Hometown Focus-Editor On the board since 2020 View Bio

  Tucker Nelson

  Tucker Nelson grew up in Eveleth but graduated from Virginia High School and has lived in the Queen City since early 2020. He studied history at the University of Minnesota Duluth and was previously the museum director for the Virginia Area Historical Society. Tucker now combines his love of writing with his love for the Iron Range as Editor of the Hometown Focus, a community newspaper. He is also the council secretary for Our Savior's Lutheran Church and previously volunteered for the Eveleth Heritage Society. His hobbies include violin, theater, and collecting antiques.
  
  Tucker lives in Virginia with his wife, Ashley, stepson, Charlie; and cat, Pugsley. Tucker is glad he and his family live in a community with a vibrant past and a promising future. ×
• 
  Greg Gilness-Secretary Retired- Community Volunteer On the board since 2020 View Bio

  Greg Gilness-Secretary

  Born in 1950 and graduated from Virginia High School. Played football and hockey in high school. Attended Mesabi Community College, graduated from UMD with a BBA. I met my wife Jane while attending UMD and we married in 1974. We have two children. I worked at LTV corporation for 28 years years. Fifteen years in Payroll and Human Resources, thirteen years in Asset Management and Acquisition. Following the collapse of LTV, I worked for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota as a supervisor and manager for 10 years retiring in 2012. I volunteered as a youth hockey coach and referee for many years and I was a member and president of the Virginia Parks and Recreation Commission from 2005 to 2021. During that time, I initiated a project to restore the fountain in Olcott Park resulting in its re-commissioning in 2019. I am currently a member of the design committee for the Miners Event and Convention Center. ×
• 
  Joel Lewicki Attorney-Colosimo Law On the board since 2020
• 
  Mark Kovacich Suez Water Technologies & Solutions-Project Manager On the board since 2020

Staff Members

• 
  Ronda 'Rudy' Harvey Executive Director Email Ronda 'Rudy' Harvey View Bio

  Ronda 'Rudy' Harvey

  In September of 2014 board members were proud to welcome Ronda Harvey as the Executive Director. Ronda, more commonly known as Rudy, resides in the city of Virginia with her husband, Ross, daughter, Morgan, and son, Austin. Ross is a high school teacher in Hibbing and both children are very active in the Virginia School system. Rudy has held various positions and her banking knowledge is a huge asset to our agency. Her involvement within the community is astronomical – President of Rotary Club, Laurentian Chamber Ambassador, Lions Club, Mentor Mesabi, hospice volunteer and chamber business development just to name a few.

  ×
• 
  Maija Biondich Administrative Assistant Email Maija Biondich