RIDGEWATER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Customized Training and Continuing Education
- English Instructor
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Director of Business Development at Vivid Image
- Member of the Think Local Committee
Amber Erickson is a Director of Business Development at Vivid Image, a marketing and website design agency, that develops relationships with businesses to guide them to success in their marketing.
Amber is a member of the Think Local Committee and Hutchinson Area Dollars for Scholars Committee. She has also served on the RiverSong Music Festival Board, Hutchinson Jaycee Water Carnival Committee as well as volunteering for local Non-Profit organizations.
Amber and her husband, Andrew, reside in Hutchinson with their five children: Deaja, Aiden, Isabella, Ayla, and Tryceton.
Job Titles:
- Training and Outreach Assistant
Job Titles:
- Veterinary Technology Lab Assistant
Job Titles:
- Student Services Assistant / Student Services
Job Titles:
- Biology Instructor / Biology
Job Titles:
- Political Science Instructor
Job Titles:
- Nondestructive Testing Technology Instructor
Job Titles:
- Paramedic Program Director
Job Titles:
- Veterinary Technology Lab Assistant
Job Titles:
- Library Technician / Library
Job Titles:
- Veterinary Technology Lab Assistant
Job Titles:
- Mathematics Instructor / Mathematics
Job Titles:
- Chemistry Instructor / Chemistry
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Foundation Board Vice President
- Small Business Owner of Vivid Image
Beth Gasser is a small business owner of Vivid Image, a marketing and web design agency in Hutchinson for the past 25 years with her husband Steve. Beth leads the Marketing Department and serves as a social media consultant and content writer.
Beth is a graduate of Ridgewater College with a Small Business Administration degree and a graduate of Southwest Minnesota State University with a Bachelors in Sociology. She is an active member of the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce and has served two terms on the Board of Directors and three years on the executive team. Beth is also on the board of directors for Haiti Kids School, a Minnesota 501c3 supporting education and healthcare for Lott Carey School in Leogane, Haiti.
Beth is a Blandin Community Leadership alum and recent presenter for a SBDC marketing education series. She's an avid reader and traveler with a passion for learning and humanitarian work. Beth grew up in Southwest Minnesota where she calls Canby, Marshall, and now Hutchinson home. She loves spending time with her husband and daughters.
Job Titles:
- Veterinary Technology Instructor
Job Titles:
- Lab Assistant
- Nursing - Associate Degree and Practical Diploma
Job Titles:
- Outreach and Admissions Specialist / Student Services
Job Titles:
- Human Resources Technician / Human Resources
Job Titles:
- Lab Assistant - Allied Health
Job Titles:
- Dean of Customized Training and Continuing Education
Job Titles:
- Computer Aided Drafting and Design Instructor
Job Titles:
- Education Instructor / Education
Job Titles:
- Training and Outreach Manager - Certification Progams
Job Titles:
- Student Services Assistant / Student Services
Job Titles:
- Medical Assistant Instructor / Medical Assistant
Job Titles:
- Maintenance / Maintenance
Job Titles:
- Coach - Hutchinson Campus
- Coach - Willmar Campus
Job Titles:
- Geography Instructor / Geography
Job Titles:
- Biology Instructor / Biology
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Job Titles:
- Lab Assistant - Allied Health
Job Titles:
- Veterinary Technology Lab Assistant
Job Titles:
- Veterinary Technology Instructor
Job Titles:
- Tech Instructor
- Vet Tech Instructor
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Massage Therapy Instructor
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Retired / Litchfield
Dr. Michael Williams is a retired veterinarian residing in Litchfield, MN. His career as a Veterinarian started 1975 and he practiced in both Minnesota and Pennsylvania. He has experience in both large & small animal medicine & surgery. Dr. Williams was at a practice in Litchfield, MN for 30 years. He has been involved with the Litchfield Rotary and Pheasants Forever roughly 30 years as well and is still a member of both organizations.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Ridgewater College Foundation Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Ridgewater College Foundation Board of Directors
- Foundation Board President
Erika Kellen was born and raised on a small farm in Dawson, MN. After graduating from Dawson Boyd High School, Erika earned a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from St. Cloud State University. Erika started her first career as an Admissions Counselor at St. Cloud State University; during her tenure there, she enjoyed the pace and positive energy of the Admissions office. She continued to progress within the Admissions office to the Assistant Director, Transfer Coordinator to the Associate Director of Admissions.
In 2010, Erika was hired as the Director of Student Life at Ridgewater College. During her time there, she worked in an amazing environment fulfilling her passion of connecting and mentoring college students. After spending 18 years in Higher Education, Erika took the leap to pursue a dream of starting her second career of becoming a real estate professional. She became licensed as a Realtor at Edina Realty in Hutchinson, MN. Erika continues to fulfill her passion for connecting and helping people in her community through her profession.
Erika is thankful to be still linked to Ridgewater College by serving as a Foundation board member since 2017, and she enjoys supporting the Arts by serving as a board member for the Hutchinson Center for the Arts.
Job Titles:
- Lab Assistant - Adjunct Faculty
Job Titles:
- Nursing Faculty / Nursing - Associate Degree and Practical Diploma
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- English Instructor
- Foundation Ex - Officio
Joe Nelson was born and raised on a farm in Northwestern Wisconsin. While continuing to stay involved in farming, Joe attended college in nearby Menomonie, WI
Joe has a Master's Degree in Risk Control and a Bachelor's Degree in Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Wisconsin Stout in Menomonie. He held an international internship in Tokyo, Japan prior to beginning his 3M career. In 1997 he started at 3M Company in the Aberdeen, SD facility. He spent approximately 13 years in South Dakota and then accepted a position in the 3M Hutchinson facility. He has worked in multiple roles including EHS Engineer, Production Supervisor, Plant Engineering General Supervisor and Plant Engineering Manager. Joe has also been a Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt and a Product Manager.
Joe was a member of the Mitchell Technical Institute Advisory Board in Mitchell, SD for 6 years prior to moving to Hutchinson where he now participates on the Tigerpath Steering Committee.
Job Titles:
- Veterinary Technology Lab Assistant
Education History - Degrees and Institutions:
AA - University of Minnesota Waseca 1991
Job Titles:
- Veterinary Technology Instructor
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Advancement & Outreach / Executive Director of Foundation
Job Titles:
- Auto Body & Collision Repair Instructor
Job Titles:
- Faculty Administrative Assistant
Job Titles:
- Library Technician / Library
Job Titles:
- Director of Financial Aid
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Citizens Bank & Trust Co
Job Titles:
- Dean of Nursing and Allied Health
Job Titles:
- Radiologic Technologist Faculty
Job Titles:
- Foundation Assistant Director / Ridgewater College Foundation
Job Titles:
- Medical Assistant Instructor / Medical Assistant
Job Titles:
- Head Men 's Basketball Coach
Job Titles:
- Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Job Titles:
- Nursing Faculty / Nursing - Associate Degree and Practical Diploma
Job Titles:
- Veterinary Technology Instructor
Shane Johnson is a 1996 alumnus of Willmar Community College (a former title for Ridgewater College), and received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1998. He joined Bremer Bank in May of 2001, and currently is the Southern Minnesota Region President.
Shane joined the Ridgewater Foundation Board in 2016. He also serves on the Rice Hospital Board of Directors, and serves on Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest.
Shane and his wife, Linnae have three daughters and reside in Willmar.
Job Titles:
- Scholarship & Data Coordinator / Ridgewater College Foundation
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Foundation Board Treasurer
Job Titles:
- Librarian
- Librarian / Library
Job Titles:
- Athletic Coordinator, Physical Education Instructor