The MMEA board of Directors is a volunteer group committed to supporting Minnesota’s students and educators. We would love to hear your input at our board meetings which are open to the public! Board meetings take place on Saturdays throughout the year and are held virtually (zoom links will be updated when available).
2026 Meetings 8am-12pm:
January 10, 2026
February 12-14, 2026 (Midwinter Convention)
March 14, 2026 – Install New Board members and Annual Membership Meeting
May 16, 2026
September 12, 2026
2027 Meetings 8am-12pm:
January 9, 2027
February 18-20, 2027 (Midwinter Convention)
March 13, 2027 – Install New Board members and Annual Membership Meeting
May 15, 2027
September 11, 2027
Throughout the year we also have committees and task forces working on specific projects. If you would like more information or want to volunteer your time and talents, please reach out to our board members or staff!
Executive Committee
Christopher Rochester, President
crochester@mmea.org
Nicole Thietje, President Elect
New Prague High School
nthietje@mmea.org
Erin Berg, Past President
eberg@mmea.org
Vice-Presidents
Andy DeLuca, Co-Band VP
Monticello High School
adeluca@mmea.org
Jonathon Knutson, Co-Band VP
Byron Public School
jknutson@mmea.org
Orchestra VP
Jacob Kempenich, Choral VP
Spectrum High School, Elk River
jkempenich@mmea.org
Joel Pohland, Jazz VP
Pierz Healy High School
jpohland@mmea.org
Abigail Van Klompenberg, Collegiate Chapters VP
Concordia College, Moorhead, MN
avanklompenberg@mmea.org
Aaron Lohmeyer, Middle-Secondary Classroom VP
Winona State University
alohmeyer@mmea.org
Eric Songer, Middle-Secondary Ensemble + VP
Chaska Middle School West
esonger@mmea.org
Michael Bjork, Elementary VP
Justice Alan Page Elementary, Maplewood, MN
mbjork@mmea.org
Region Representatives
Gunnar Aas, Region Northwest Representative
Bemidji High School
gaas@mmea.org
Christopher Barnes, Region Northwest Representative Elect
Roseau School
cbarnes@mmea.org
Iris Kolodji, Region Northeast Representative
Marshall School
ikolodji@mmea.org
Kelly Taylor, Region Central Representative
Litchfield Public Schools
ktaylor@mmea.org
John Pohland, Region Southwest Representative
New Prague High School
johnpohland@mmea.org
Melanie Sheridan, Region Southeast Representative
Winona Area Public Schools
msheridan@mmea.org
Rachel Gorden Mercer, Region Twin Cities Loop Representative
Boeckman Middle School, Farmington, MN
rgordenmercer@mmea.org
Natalia Romero Arbeláez, Region Twin Cities Central Interim Representative
The Blake School
nromero@mmea.org
Region Twin Cities Central Representative
Appointed Positions
Gunnar Aas, Advocacy Chair
Bemidji High School
gaas@mmea.org
David Davis, Equity Action Team Chair
Park Spanish Immersion Elementary
ddavis@mmea.org
Casey Clementson, Interval Editor
cclementson@mmea.org
Scott Rabehl, Retired Members Chair
srabehl@mmea.org
Mark Gitch, MSHSL Representative
Wayzata High School, Wayzata
mgitch@mmea.org
Community Music Chair
Michael Buck, Perpich Center for Arts Education Representative
Perpich Center for Arts Education
mbuck@mmea.org
Staff
Jerri Gibson Neddermeyer, MMEA Executive Director
execdirector@mmea.org
Jordan Bongaarts, MMEA Program Coordinator
jbongaarts@mmea.org
Lori Lenz, MMEA Administrative Secretary
lenz@mmea.org
Wanda Borman, MMEA MWC Assistant Program Coordinator
wborman@mmea.org