Board of Directors
- Jane Otto (Chair)
- Nan Crary (Vice Chair)
- Jeri Lueneburg (Secretary)
- Jeff Cummins (Treasurer)
- Janis Rannow
- Scott Rehmann
- Ronda Matthias
- Jody Winters
- Linda Keehr
- Jackie Backen
A board member since September 2004, Jane Otto, took a hiatus the past year to finish
school. Now a newly licensed RN, she works as a lab assistant in Ridgewater Collegeʼs
nursing program and as an on-call nurse at Glencoe Regional Health Services. It was
her former career as a journalist, however, that Jane came to serve the Alliance.
“Reporting on the sorrow and hurt that domestic abuse causes made me realize I want
to do more,” Jane said.
A native Philadelphian, Jane now calls Minnesota home after living here for 17 years.
She and her husband, who Jane refers to as “her best friend,” have four children, all in
their 20s. If thereʼs spare time to be had, Jane spends it jogging, reading, painting, or
occasionally cleaning.
Nan Crary joined the McLeod Alliance Board in June 2008. She has lived in McLeod County since 1996 when she and her family moved to the community for her work as County Administrator with McLeod County. Previously she worked for nine years for Faribault County as County Coordinator. Crary earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and completed a master’s degree in public administration at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
“Annual reports made to the McLeod County Board of Commissioners reinforced to me the ongoing and increasing need for the services provided by McLeod Alliance for Victims of Domestic Violence,” Crary said. “During the 1980s when our family served as licensed foster parents with more than a dozen placements – mostly teenaged boys – I learned a great deal about families and children in need.”
Crary’s husband Michael is a retired orchestra director who works for New Discovery Montessori Academy in Hutchinson. The Crary family has three grown children and two sons-in-law.
“I welcome the opportunity to serve on the Alliance board and the important work of helping to make this a safe community,” Crary said.
Jeff Cummins joined the McLeod Alliance Board in March 2007. He has served the City of Glencoe as their Police Chief since 2002 and has 19 years of law enforcement experience. Jeff has former experience as a board member for Brown County Victim Services and the McLeod Alliance. In his profession, Jeff has seen the destruction and heartache of individuals and families due to domestic violence.
“I want to serve the McLeod Alliance as a board member because domestic abuse is a serious issue in our society and the Alliance has an extremely compassionate and professional staff to help individuals and families to work through their ‘cycle of abuse’.”
Jeri joined the board in May 2009. She had worked at Hutchinson Technology, Inc. for several years before leaving in June. Jeri now feels she has the time to volunteer and is serving as secretary for the board.
Jeri and her husband Brad have 2 daughters. Megan is a May 2009 Architecture/Environmental Studies graduate of Iowa State University and is currenty in the Peace Corps in Kran, Bularia. Elizabeth is a sophomore at University of Wisconsin- Madison planning on an Enginering Degree.
Janis Rannow is a public relations and communications professional and has worked as the statewide communications manager for a national organization, a radio news director, a newspaper reporter and other communication/marketing positions. Janis was delighted to rejoin the McLeod Alliance board in late 2008, having previously served as a board member during the organization’s infancy. A long-time resident of Hutchinson, Janis is a graduate of St. Cloud State University, the University of St. Thomas and has taken advanced coursework at Hamline University. Janis is an avid seamstress, gardener, volunteer and writer/reader, but her biggest joy is her family, especially her much-loved children and grandchildren.
“The changes I have seen in the awareness of domestic violence and care of those it impacts is both needed and gratifying,” Rannow said. “However, much work remains so that one day we may claim that we have eradicated this soul-destroying behavior.”
Scott Rehmann is the Sheriff of McLeod County. Scott has been in law enforcement for 12 years. He has also worked as a Chemical Dependency Counselor for 10 years. Scott and his wife, Katie are both from McLeod County and make their home in Winsted. They have four children.
“Most of my work, either as a counselor or in law enforcement, has been with juveniles in crisis. I believe that if we work to protect our families from violence, through education, intervention, and resources, we will turn around the number of young people that find comfort in the world of drugs and alcohol,” Rehmann said. “The McLeod Alliance for Victims of Domestic Violence is one of the most fundamently important organizations in McLeod County as the people who make up the organization are dedicated to ending a violent cycle of family abuse that if not stopped will continue on to the next generation. Safe and healthy families equal a safe and strong community. I am honored to be a member of the board.”
Ronda Matthias has previously served on the board and is excited to be back. Ronda has worked at Wendling Insurance Services, Inc. since 2006. She is a licensed agent with a special interest in long term care. After the Alliance director spoke at a Hutchinson Rotary meeting, she decided she wanted to become involved. Besides serving on the board, she has helped with other projects throughout the years.
Ronda and her husband Mark have 3 children: Matt and his wife Angie live in Minneapolis; Gina, a recent college graduate is doing an internship in San Antonio, Texas, as a dietician; and Jeff who is a sophmore at St. Thomas. In her spare time she likes to travel, read and spend time with family and friends at the lake.
Jody Winters is a partner with the law firm of Gavin, Olson & Winters. She is licensed to practice in Minnesota (since 1992) and Federal Court (since 1993). She is the City Attorney for Glencoe, Lester Prairie and Silver Lake and prosecutes cases for the city of Hutchinson. She has been on the Board of Directors since the fall of 2001 and was the Chairperson in 2002-2003. She is also a member of the 8th District Bar Association, McLeod County Bar Association, Community Corrections Advisory Board, Domestic Abuse Task Force, and the GRHS Ethics Committee.
“I believe it is important to educate the public about domestic abuse, the prevalence of domestic abuse and why victims stay in an abusive relationship as education will help end the violence,” Winters said. “The Alliance provides an invaluable service to victims providing them support, guidance and hope.”
Linda Keehr joined the Board in December of 2009. She has lived in Hutchinson since 1984 when her husband, Mark, accepted a position with HTI. Linda was a stay at home mom and did daycare until 1992 when she became an Educational Assistant for 7th and 8th grade Math at the Hutchinson Middle School. She has been a volunteer for many organizations from Hockey Moms to Riversong. She is currently participating in the Leadership Institute offered by Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce. Mark and Linda have two children who both live in Bozeman, Montana. Their daughter, Leah, is married to Ian; and their son, Joshua, is married to Katie. They also have a grandson, Kieran, and a granddaughter, Freja. Linda thinks being a Gramma is one of God’s greatest blessings!!
“I work with kids everyday I’m at school and I see the effects that some kids suffer as results of mental or physical abuse or trouble at home,” Keehr said. “It would be a blessing if the knowledge I gain from being part of the Alliance could be used in day to day contact with students and in return my involvement with the school system could help enlighten and enrich the Alliance for even more positive results in helping the victims of domestic violence.”
Jackie Backen
Jackie Backen joined the McLeod Alliance in December of 2009. She is a lifetime resident of Hutchinson. She and her husband, Bill, have three daughters. Amy is a Special Ed teacher at the Hutchinson High School, Stacy attends the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and will be pursuing a career as a Pediatric Physician’s Assistant and Calli attends Hutchinson High School. Jackie works full time as the Director of Office and Communications at Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson and part time at State Farm Insurance in Glencoe. She previously worked at the McLeod County Courthouse in the family law division and worked with the advocates from the McLeod County Alliance.
Backen said that she really admires the advocates and the work they do. “They do a wonderful job working with the victims,” she said. “I am honored to be a board member.”
