Meet the Southwest Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission; Marshall, MN
Name: Jacob Fahl
Organization you represent: I represent the growth of Marshall and the SW MN community. Professional I represent Hitachi Capital America, out of Norwalk, CT.
Sports Background/Family: played college basketball at SMSU, wife (Angie) played volleyball at SMSU. Grew up in Seattle, WA, moved to Benson, MN in 1990. Attended SMSU 1999, graduating in 2003 and 2007 with MBA. My wife and I have 4 children, Avery, Julia, Jude and Jonah. Being active in sports, recreation and being outside will always be a part of our lives.
Contact Information: jfahl@hitachicapitalamerica.com 507-476-0309; Twitter @jcfahl
Name: Scott VanDerMillen
Organization you represent: City of Marshall
Background: A proud SMSU graduate, Scott recently returned to Marshall and is honored to represent Community Services. Our staff is committed to providing an enriched community experience for all citizens.
Contact Information: Scott.VanDerMillen@ci.marshall.mn.us or 507-537-6767
Name: Eric Myhre
Organization you represent: Marshall Area Youth Baseball Association
Background: 20 Year Resident of Marshall, Southwest MN State University Alum. 15+ Years on the MAYBA Board of Directors, including positions of President, Vice President, and Treasurer. Currently the Treasurer and Finance Director. Vice President of Finance at USBank Equipment Finance
Contact Information: eric.myhre@usbank.com or 507-828-2940
Name: Bruce Remme
Organization you represent: Marshall Public Schools
Background: Began working for Marshall Public Schools in 1995. Have served the district and the community as a teacher, coach, and Activities Director. Been involved with the Amateur Sports Commission since its beginning in 2007.
Contact Information: bruce.remme@marshall.k12.mn.us or 507-929-2668
Name: Raftyn (Birath) Rignell
Organization you represent: Birath Wealth Management & Marshall Community Foundation
Sports background/family: Graduated Marshall Senior High School 2000, playing volleyball and basketball. Played volleyball for Division I University of Connecticut 2000-2004. Coached volleyball, Head coach, Division III Presentation College, Assistant Coach Division I Marquette University, Assistant Coach Division II SMSU. Working as client service manager at Birath Wealth Management. Married to Derek Rignell, owner of Southwest Pro Painting, three children, Rocco (7), Archer (5), Quinn (3).
Contact info: Email: rrignell@birathwealthmgt.com or 507-476-5750
Name: Harry G. Weilage
Organization you represent: Former Marshall Community Services Director 1980 - 2016. Member of the SWMASC, and Recently appointed to the MASC.
Sports Background/Family: Married to Jaen, Son Drew and daughter Laurel live in Denver, Drew works at StatusGo and Laurel works for Chipolte. Daughter Hope is moving to Marshall and continuing her position with Ecolab.
Contact Info: Email: Harry.weilage@gmail.com
Name: Craig Schafer
Organization you represent: Marshall City Council
Sports Background/Family: wife Deb, 3 Adult Children & 2 Grandchildren. Son and Grandson went through MAHA & Marshall High School Hockey Programs. Have also been involved in National touring stock car racing for 25 years.
Contact Info: Email: schaferracing@msn.com or 612-723-2838
Name: Josh Johnson
Organization you represent: Marshall Amateur Hockey Association
Sports Background/Family: Thrivent Financial Advisor, Marshall Public School and SMSU Alumni. Married to Jennifer, who owns Ace Home and Hardware, and has 2 children Abby & Jake. Involved in MAHA since 2012 and on the MAHA Board since 2016, currently serving a 2nd term as President.
Contact Info: Email: jjohnson.tvhc@gmail.com Cell - 507-828-7084
Name: Cassi Weiss
Organization you represent: Visit Marshall, MN
Sports Background/Family: An Elk River High School graduate, Cassi attended Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, where she studied Hospitality Management. Cassi has been a coach for the Marshall Girls Hockey team since 2014. She is married to Michael Weiss, a 4th grade teacher and hockey coach. She enjoys spending time at the ice arena in the winter and the lake with family in the summer. Cassi began her position as Director of Visit Marshall, MN on March 31, 2020.
Contact Info: Email- cassi.weiss@visitmarshallmn.com or 507-537-1865
Name: Kelly Loft
Organization you represent: Marshall Convention & Visitors Bureau; Board
Sports Background/Family: Grew up playing hockey and baseball in my hometown of Mankato. Spent two years on the SMSU baseball team in 1994-95. Have lived in Marshall since 1994 and has served as a coach for both the MAHA and MAYBA organizations in Marshall. Currently serve as president of the Marshall Baseball Association. Now in my 21st year as the Athletic Communications Director at Southwest Minnesota State University.
Contact Info: kelly.loft@smsu.edu or 507-476-8191
Name: Chris Hmielewski
Organization you represent: Southwest Minnesota State University
Sports Background/Family: Chris is in his 12th year as the Director of Athletics at Southwest Minnesota State University in 2017-18. A native of Franklin Park, Ill., Hmielewski played three years of college baseball at Kansas State University playing both first base and pitcher. Following his junior season in 1991, he signed a free agent professional contract with the Montreal Expos organization. Hmielewski began his pro career as a first baseman—where he was an All-Star during his second season—before moving to the pitching mound for the next three seasons and advancing as high as Class AA in 1995. He signed with the Duluth-Superior Dukes of the Northern League in 1996 before an arm injury forced his retirement following the season. Chris and his wife, Mary Jo, reside in Lynd, Minn., and have three children, Andrew, Ashtin and Matthew.
Name: Alan Poff
Organization you represent
Alan serves as the VP of Government Affairs for Schwan’s Company. He has been with the organization since 2004. He is a licensed attorney and served for 10 years as a staffer in the U.S. Senate.
Sports background/family: Alan has been engaged with minor league baseball since the late 1990s, with a specific focus on the business-side of the industry. In 2016, he led a team effort to create the Granite Falls Soccer Association and Granite Falls Rapids FC-branded youth soccer teams to enhance sports opportunities for area youth. After years of living in Minnesota, the Poffs finally embraced winter in 2015 by building their first-ever backyard ice rink for the family and neighborhood kids. “Making Memories” is the focus of this annual winter tradition.
Alan lives with his wife Julie, daughter Sophia and son Sam in Granite Falls. Both children are active in sports and the performing arts. Sam plays hockey in Marshall.
Contact info: E-mail: alan.poff@schwans.com or 507-537-8819. Twitter @BallparkBiz
Name: Kris Wegner
Organization you represent:
Affiliated Community Medical Centers
Sports Background/Family: I am a Physician Assistant at ACMC. I grew up in Alcester, SD where I played basketball, slow pitch softball and ran track. I have been married to my husband Kim for 26 yrs. We have two daughters; Madison is a junior at Marshall High School and Megan is an 8th grade at Marshall Middle School. Both of our daughters play 3 sports year round including volleyball, basketball and fast pitch softball. They have participated in multiple club sports including Marshall Girls Basketball Association, Marshall JO Volleyball, Southwest Juniors Volleyball, SW Slam AAU Basketball, SD Northstars AAU Basketball and Marshall Area Fastpitch Association. As an 18yr resident of Marshall we have been very involved in the sports community. I was the treasurer for MGBA from 2010-2015. I have been the treasurer for Marshall JO Volleyball since 2011. My husband Kim, refs high school football and basketball. He was on the MAFSA board for 4 years. Although we did not attend SMSU we have been booster members for the last 10 years and actively participate in events related to the college and the various sporting events. We thoroughly enjoy living in Marshall and are committed to helping with the growth of the community.
Contact Info: Email: kkwegner@iw.net
