Extension's Center for Community Vitality helps communities in Minnesota make important choices. Our educators will work with your community to address questions or concerns on economics, leadership and civic engagement, and tourism. Use our custom research and education programs to better engage and inform your community.
Contact us. We're eager to get to know your community!
Find a local educator
Use our interactive map to find an educator near you. Click where you live in the below map to see a list of contacts.
Community economics contacts
Our community economics team helps communities retain and expand local businesses, know and grow their retail sector, make informed public finance decisions and develop tourism opportunities.
Michael Darger
Business retention and expansion
Email: darger@umn.edu
Phone: 612-625-6246
Cell phone: 612-360-4478
DeeDee LeMier
Regional office: Brainerd
Email: dlemier@umn.edu
Phone: 218-828-2326
Cellphone: 651-235-8706
Eric King
Regional office: Minneapolis
Email: kingx953@umn.edu
Phone: 612-626-8762, ext. 46814
Cell phone: 612-310-7952
John Bennett
Regional office: Cloquet
Email: jbennett@umn.edu
Phone: 218-726-6471
Cell phone: 218-343-6742
Rani Bhattacharyya
Regional office: Crookston
Email: rani-b@umn.edu
Phone: 218-281-8689
Cell phone: 218-275-3444
Laura Kalambokidis
Extension economist, Department of Applied Economics
Elton Mykerezi
Associate professor, Department of Applied Economics
William Lazarus
Professor and Extension economist, Department of Applied Economics
Leadership and civic engagement contacts
Our leadership and civic engagement team helps communities build local leadership, strengthen relationships, and make more informed public decisions.
Christina Kallevig
Alumni programs
Email: kallevig@umn.edu
Phone: 507-389-6714 ext. 2018
Cell phone: 320-235-1175
Ellen Wolter
Regional office: St. Cloud
Email: ewolter@umn.edu
Phone: 320-203-6050
Cell phone: 612-799-8823
Jennifer Aranda
Regional office: Moorhead
Email: heins032@umn.edu
Phone: 218-236-2012
Cell phone: 701-730-8717
Jody Horntvedt
Regional office: Roseau
Email: hornt001@umn.edu
Phone: 218-463-0296
Cell phone: 218-689-0281
Kim Guenther
Regional office: Marshall
Email: guent151@umn.edu
Phone: 507-258-8750
Cell phone: 573-470-4445
Lisa Hinz
Regional office: Farmington
Email: hinzx001@umn.edu
Phone: 651-480-7734
Cell phone: 651-366-7464
Tobias Spanier
Regional office: Willmar
Email: spani001@umn.edu
Phone: 320-235-0726 ext. 2020
Cell phone: 507-220-1812
Ryan Allen
Associate Professor, Humphrey School of Public Affairs
Fernando Burga
Assistant Professor, Humphrey School of Public Affairs
Tourism contacts
Our Tourism Center helps communities assess their tourism assets and diversify their local economy.
Other contacts
These Community Vitality contacts oversee leadership and handle administration.