CERTs is pleased to announce that Kristi Fernholz, a Senior Planner at the Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission (UMVRDC), will also be acting as our new West Central CERT Coordinator. Kristi has worked at UMVRDC on a variety of programs since 2000.
She has worked on a variety of projects assisting local units of government in her region, including grants management, grant writing, comprehensive planning, tourism development and coordination of a number of programs. Kristi’s work on renewable energy initiatives such as the Upper Sioux Community Energy Plan (2012) and the Swift County Blue Ribbon Commission document (2007) prepared her to sit on the West Central CERT steering committee the past few years. She’ll be stepping off the steering committee this month with her new role as the coordinator.
Kristi Fernholz lives on an organic farm in rural Appleton with her husband Brad and two children. She grew up in the area, but spent time in Duluth, MN and Birmingham, England during her college years where she studied studio art (photography), environmental issues and organic farming. She and her husband put in a geothermal system on their farm in late 2011 and would love to utilize other renewable energy systems in the future.
Here’s what Kristi had to say about joining CERTs as the West Central Coordinator:
“I have always had a strong interest in how we can better support our communities with local and renewable energy systems, and I’m very excited to work directly with the passionate and energetic staff of CERTs.”
Feel free to reach out to Kristi to say hello!
Kristi Fernholz
Senior Planner & West Central CERT Coordinator
Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission (UMVRDC)
kristi.fernholz@umvrdc.org
320-289-1981 ×106
We’d also like to thank Erin (Smith) Fricke for her work as the former West Central CERT Coordinator, and welcome her to the Metro CERT Steering Committee!
Erin is now the Senior Planner for the City of Victoria, MN. She is new to her position and is excited to be part of a rapidly developing community. Erin had this to share:
“I served as the West Central CERT Coordinator while working as a Planner in western Minnesota. Working towards the goals and mission of CERT was my favorite part of my job so I am honored and a little giddy to part of the Metro CERT Steering Committee. I am passionate about clean energy that is tangible for everyone and creating open dialogue to work through challenges and successes of clean energy projects. I wave to hybrids and electric cars on the highway and can’t pass a solar panel without fan-girling a bit. I hold a Bachelor’s degree of art from the University of Minnesota- Duluth in Urban and Regional Studies, a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from Minnesota State University Mankato, and am a LEED Green Associate. Thank you for the opportunity to continue working with such a great group of people and I look forward to many new and exciting projects.”
