Member:  Kristen Cigelske

Application:  Director of Membership & Recruitment

Profession:  Entrepreneur - Allure Salon / Stay @ Home Mom

WFHA Player Level(s):  Pee Wee

Previously Held WFHA Roles:  Team Manager, Team Manager Chair - Marketing & Communications Committee

Brief Campaign Statement: 

Hi, my name is Kristen Cigelske and I am applying for the upcoming open board position of Director of Membership and Recruitment.  

I have been a Team Manager in the past and had a good experience with it.  At the time I was manager I felt the TM's were informed of our roles and responsibilities and our questions were answered as they came up.  As Director of Membership and Recruitment I would like to be able to help team mangers feel supported in their role, have resources available that allow them to have a successful season and assure they feel confident in their decision to fulfill an important volunteer position for their teams.

I understand there are other roles involved with this position, however, the team manager part of it seems like an area that could always use some extra focus.  I am currently serving on the Marketing & Communications committee and am serving as the Team Chair for Membership and Recruitment.  We meet regularly and we have been discussing ways to make communication for all the volunteer roles within West Fargo Hockey more effective.  I would like to carry that focus over to this role as well.

My husband Jason and I, along with our three kids, live in Horace.  We have been in the Association for almost six years now.  Our oldest son will be a first year Pee Wee in the fall and there's a small possibility we could have two Termites playing as well.  If they decide they want to leave the bench and get on the ice.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and please come out and vote!  It's for the kids!

Kristen

Member:  Desirae Holum

Application:  Director of Membership & Recruitment

Profession:  Office Manager - Classic AlumaDeck, Inc.

WFHA Player Level(s):  Pee Wee

Previously Held WFHA Roles:  Team Manager Liason - Pee Wee

Brief Campaign Statement: 

My name is Desirae Holum and my family has been a part of the West Fargo Hockey Association for 6 seasons. Our oldest will be a first-year bantam and our youngest will be a second-year peewee for the ’19-’20 season.

In my 6 seasons with the association, I have been a team manager for four seasons as well as a team manager liaison for the peewee level this past season. While being involved throughout the seasons I have gained a vast knowledge of the duties and sequence of events that is required to help promote the success of our team mangers in their roles. My experience as an office manager for the past 7 years, daily utilize the organization, delegation, team work and communication skills that are imperative for this role.

Thank you for your consideration and I hope to serve you in the upcoming season!

Member:  Josh Benson

Application:  Executive Vice President

Profession:  Senior VP - Essjay Investment Co.

WFHA Player Level(s):  Termite and Squirt

Previously Held WFHA Roles:  Treasurer, Finance Committee, Executive Committee, Termite Coach

Brief Campaign Statement:  

With my term as treasurer coming to a close, the opportunity exists for me to continue to volunteer my services to the WFHA in the capacity of Executive Vice President. 

Like most people, I previously ran for a position on the board to help not only my kids but all the kids have the best youth sports experience they could.  After serving for a year, I know first hand the opportunity the organization has and the time it takes to realize some of that opportunity.  Some of that "time" is spent navigating a learning curve.  If I can eliminate that curve in just one position on the board, pick up where I left off with the same level of dedication, I cannot think of a better way I could help the organization reach its goals.     

Member:  Brent Kuehne

Application:  Director of Facilities & Equipment

Profession:  Senior Commercial Agent - Goldmark

WFHA Player Level(s):  Pee Wee

Previously Held WFHA Roles:  Director of Facilities & Equipment, Squirt Parent Coach Mentor

Brief Campaign Statement: 

Currently have 17+ years of real estate experience, joining the GOLDMARK Commercial team in 2004 after spending three years at Edina Realty and two years at The Stockwalk Group Inc. in Minneapolis, MN (Parent company of MJSK Securities) as a staff accountant.

Detroit Lakes native and Concordia College graduate, experience with office, industrial, land development and business brokerage transactions, and currently specializing in investment property acquisitions and financing, office, and retail lease transactions.  Named "GOLDMARK Agent of the Year" five times, currently active in many local business organizations.  Responsible for assembling and overseeing operations of a large real estate investment portfolio in the region as a percentage owner, in addition to everyday roles at Goldmark Commercial.

My Hockey Experience Includes:  

• 93-94 Captain of Detroit Lakes High School Hockey Team
• 94-95 NAHL - Springfield Jr. Blues
• 95-96 USHL - Fargo/Moorhead Bears (FM Bears)
• 97-00 MIAC - Concordia College

My goal is to support and govern a successful West Fargo Youth Hockey Non-Profit Association and to ensure a good foundation, future growth, and success for current and future players.

Member:  Nikki Braaten

Application:  Director of Facilities & Equipment

Profession:  Regional Direct Service Manager - American Red Cross

WFHA Player Level(s):  Mite & Bantam

Previously Held WFHA Roles:  Team Manager, Team Fundraiser Coordinator, Center Ice Committee, and several other various volunteer positions

Brief Campaign Statement:  

I would like to serve on the board for several reasons, but mostly I love being involved in the activities my children are passionate about. I feel both my professional and volunteer experience will be beneficial to the organization.

I have been part of the West Fargo Hockey Association since 2010 when my oldest son started as a Termite. He will be starting his first year of Bantams this fall. My daughter played for the WFHA for 3 years (Termite, 8U, and 10U) and my youngest son will be starting his second year of Mites in the fall. Throughout the last 9 years I have been involved in the association through being a team manager, team fundraiser coordinator, served on the Center Ice Committee, and several other various volunteer positions.

I have several qualifications that I think will make me a great fit for the Director of Facilities and Equipment board position. I have an undergraduate degree in Community Psychology and a Graduate degree in Managerial Logistics. My experience comes from both professional and volunteer involvements. I work for the American Red Cross (2018-Current) as the Regional Direct Services Manager. I coordinate services (Mental Health, Health Services, Disability and Integration, and Casework) and provide resources for individuals that are in the Recovery phase after a disaster. I also am responsible for recovery operation logistics (housing, supplies, equipment, etc.) for individuals recovering from disaster, volunteers, and staff. Previous to this position I was a federal employee for the Army National Guard (2005-2013 & 2015-2018.) My responsibilities included facility management, supply procurement, and many other logistical functions. From 2013-2015 I was employed as the Lead Child and Youth Coordinator for the North Dakota National Guard. In this position I coordinated events for military youth, collaborated with local organizations to build partnerships, and provided resources for military families. My volunteer experience includes being a member of the Casselton baseball fundraising committee and volunteering in several different capacities for American Gold Gymnastics.

Member:  Jareb Raan

Application:  Treasurer

Profession:  CFO - Valley Grain Milling

WFHA Player Level(s):  2-Termites, Squirt & 8U

Previously Held WFHA Roles:  Finance Committee

Brief Campaign Statement:  

I have worked for Valley Grain for 20 years.  I have mainly done most of the accounting for the company.  Also I have bought and sold commodities for Valley Grain over the years.

I had 4 children in Stampede hockey this past Season.   Dax was a first year squirt.   Alexa played on the 8u Girls team.  Farrah age 6 was a second year termite and Elliot age 4 was a first year termite. 

I would like to serve on the board for various reasons.  But the main one being,  I would like to help my kids have a great time playing hockey.  If I can be a part of helping Stampede hockey move forward that would be great.  I have 20 years of accounting and business experience.