School Board Bios

Vilnis Giga

Vilnis is a retired educator. He’s spent the last 30 years of his professional career teaching political science and economics to OHS seniors and International Baccalaureate sophomores. Vilnis is a member of Steele County Historical Society, Owatonna Arts Center, OHS Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, Elks Club, Trinity Lutheran Church and West Hills Commission. He is currently completing his first four year term on the Board. Because of recent changes in three key administrative positions a the District level and the development of the new strategic initiatives for the District, it is important to have some continuity on the Board.

Roger Friedman

Roger has a BS degree in Accounting and was President of the Finance Club at Cal State University. He is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Computer Security. Roger is the Internal Audit Manager at Federated Insurance where I ensure that the financial, operations, computer systems, and compliance programs are efficient and adhere to relevant laws and regulations. He is a Big Brother in the Steele County Big Brother Big Sister program, and a past volunteer accountant for the MS Society (Multiple Sclerosis). He came to Owatonna so his children could enjoy a good education in a friendly environment. Roger’s main reason for wanting to earn a seat on the School Board is to make sure the level of education remains high. He believes it is important to have a well-rounded board, and wishes to bring his business and financial background and his concern as a parent to the board position.

Paul Knutson

Paul Knutson, Lt Colonel, USAF, Retired. Currently Paul farms about 350 acres west of Owatonna. He’s been happily married to Deb for 31 years and has two sons: Ben is a junior at Luther College majoring in Accounting and Management and Peter is a sophomore at OHS. Paul grew up in Owatonna and graduated from OHS having served as Student Council President. He then graduated from St Olaf College with a focus on math and physics and received a MS in Systems Management from U of Southern California. Since retiring from the Air Force in 1992, he moved back to Owatonna to give his sons a chance to experience living in Owatonna and to get the same great education that allowed him success in the Air Force. He also wanted to give back to the community that gave him so much. Paul has volunteered in the schools, worked with the Habitat for Humanity Family Selection Committee, and has been active at Trinity Lutheran Church. He asks for your support for another 4 years on the School Board because he feels he’s contributed to our school's current vision of success and would like to help implement the Strategic Plan was just put in place.

Mitchell Rhodes

Mitchell has an Associate Degree in Business Machine Repair and is currently working at the Waseca School District as the Technology Maintenance Technician. After spending 21 years in the United States Air Force, he retired back to my home town of Owatonna because of it's excellent school system. While in the Air Force Mitchell was a Master Instructor for the School Of Health Care Sciences, a manager for mental health inpatient units and worked on a unit caring for personnel with Alcoholism. Currently he repairs technology equipment, and the school’s computer network. Mitchell wants to be a school board representative to give back to the school that gave so much to his daughters and himself.

Steven H. Turner

Steven and wife Sherry live near downtown Owatonna and have four children. Three attend school in the Owatonna public school system – at Washington Elementary. While serving the community in the long term is an important motivator for him, improving the academic performance of Owatonna’s school district for all of our current school-aged children provides even greater incentive for his candidacy for school board. Stephen is a member at Trinity Lutheran. He is an organizational development consultant that specializes in the provision of team building, leadership and managerial development, as well as change management services. Steven does strategic planning and conflict resolution facilitation as well. He has also worked as a manager in health care, psychotherapist, and a university professor. He has a Ph.D. in psychology and has worked in executive management roles for over 15 years. Since junior high school when Steven lived in Kasson, MN, he has been involved in organizations in a leadership capacity, including as a class officer and Luther League president during high school and trade association officer roles and board memberships as an adult. As a consultant, he has worked with many school districts as well as various governance boards. He understands the fiduciary responsibilities of a school board and school board member.

Stefan Gantert

Stefan’s education background consists of grades 1-6 in France and grades 7-12 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin followed by the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities). After graduating in 1995 with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering and obtaining the required four years of experience, he successfully passed the examination to obtain his Professional Engineer (PE) license. He has also been working toward a Masters in Business Administration from the U of MN and St. Thomas. Stefan’s work experience, prior to his current position as Design/Construction Engineer for the Rice County Highway Department, consisted primarily of municipal engineering (sanitary, water, storm sewer, streets systems), as both a city employee and a consulting engineer. He is a member of several engineering societies and is very active in the National Society of Professional Engineers sponsored Future City Competition, a program that promotes science, math, and the engineering profession to junior high students. He has also served on several church committees and volunteers his time as much as his family with young children will allow. Stefan’s three children (ages 6, 4, and 7 months), who are/will be going through the Owatonna Public Schools, give him a vested interest in the growth of the district. He believes that a strong education system is the backbone to helping our children reach their potential. Stefan supports the strategic initiatives that were identified as part of the Owatonna Public Schools’ mission. He will use his skills and experience in communication, technology, and fiscal responsibility to help the Owatonna Public Schools implement and achieve these goals.

Catherine Brown Furness

Catherine was born in 1953 in Cedar Rapids, IA. She graduated from the University of Iowa in 1974 and the School of Law in 1979. She is currently practicing at Catherine Brown Furness Law Office in downtown Owatonna. Catherine has been active in the Steele County Bar Association, is currently active in the Fifth District Bar Association, a committee member for the Agriculture Extravaganza, Steele County Feed Lot Committee, 4-H, Steele County Heart Association, Minnesota Pheasants Forever & Ducks Unlimited and a member of the Iowa City Golden Retriever Club.