Operating as an Extension of Your Team

APEX works well with business because we understand business. Our leadership and staff are comprised of seasoned professionals and executives with extensive experience leading private sector organizations.


 

Rachel Johnson
President & CEO

Economic Development

Rachel joined APEX in September 2022 and leads the organization as President and CEO. Throughout her career, she’s cultivated strong community relationships and advocated for industrial projects that support job growth, career development and economic investment throughout the region. At APEX, she works to drive...

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Sandy Johnson
Director, Member Relations & Administration

Economic Development

Sandy Johnson joined APEX in September of 2008. Her responsibilities include maintaining good relations with and assisting our current investor-members in a variety of capacities while continuing to grow our membership through various recruitment efforts.  She also oversees the administrative tasks of our dynamic, high-energy...

Matt Shermoen
Senior Business Developer

Economic Development

Matt joined the APEX team in 2019 as Business Developer.  Matt is responsible for attracting, expanding and retaining key strategic employers within the region, and leverages his sales expertise to build relationships with management personnel, demonstrating how expanding in or relocating to the APEX region leads...

Frank Frederickson
Chair

Board

Vice President – Customer Experience & Engineering Services Minnesota Power, an ALLETE Company

Lorraine Little
Vice Chair

Board

Director, Corporate Citizenship & Strategic Partnerships Enbridge

Lisa Bodine
Immediate Past Chair

Board

Co-Owner & President Giant Voices, Inc.

Brad Beard
Secretary

Board

Chief Operating Officer Essentia Health

Mike Boeselager
Treasurer

Board

Vice President of Support Services St. Luke's Hospital

Deb DeLuca
At-Large Member

Board

Executive Director Duluth Seaway Port Authority

Craig Fellman
At-Large Member

Board

Senior Vice President APi Group

Ken Johnson
At-Large Member

Board

President & CEO North Shore Bank - Duluth, Minnesota

David McMillian
At-Large Member

Board

Interim Chancellor of the University of Minnesota Duluth

Brian Thun
At-Large Member

Board

Senior Vice President/CFO maurices

Steve Burgess
Immediate Past Chair

CEO National Bank of Commerce

View staff by department:
Economic Development Board