| Leadership Team
 Steve Sellent
Program Director
As Program Director, Steve has overall responsibility for leadership, planning and management of the Great Plains Food Bank. Steve’s experience speaks for itsel with 35 years of experience in warehousing, distribution and program development. Steve holds a degree in Business Administration from Minnesota State University, Moorhead.
Email: ssellent@lssnd.org
 JoAnn Matthews
Operations Director
The responsibility for the effectiveness and efficiency of the Great Plains Food Bank is no small task, but JoAnn tackles the job with a ton of knowledge and confidence. She began her career with the Food Bank as a warehouse associate and moved up from there. "It's my job to make sure that things run smoothly, and I take that very seriously!" JoAnn holds a degree in Business Administration and Accounting from the University of North Dakota – Lake Region and a degree in Business Administration from North Dakota State University, Fargo.
Email: jmatthews@lssnd.org
 Marcia Paulson
Director of Marketing and Development
Engaging and mobilizing the community around the solvable problem of hunger in North Dakota and western Minnesota is a challenge Marcia takes seriously. “I believe ending hunger is a shared responsibility and that together we can make a huge impact on the lives of those who are currently hungry, or at risk of hunger.” Marcia’s passion for equality has led her to hold both paid and volunteer positions within the nonprofit community for the past twenty years around the issues of hunger, poverty, racism, affordable housing, homelessness and violence prevention. Marcia holds a degree in Speech Communication from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks and a degree in Social Work from Minnesota State University, Moorhead.
Email: mpaulson@lssnd.org
 Linda Sailer
Product Resource Manager
Responsibilities involve developing new relationships and cultivating existing relationships with product donors within the Food Banks service area. Prior experience in business management and service oriented positions supports her as she engages in the activities of donor development. “Exposure to all aspects of the food industry has been a rewarding eye opener for me. Once the awareness is shared, people within our area are so gracious about opening up their charitable side and sharing product in numerous ways.” Networking is a primary activity in this positions. Linda’s 25+ years of community leadership has been a solid attribute to the position. Linda is a graduate from North Dakota State University with a degree in Education. In addition, she is a graduate of School of Banking, Madison WI.
Email: lsailer@lssnd.org
 Melissa Sobolik
Director of Member and Client Services
Melissa comes to the Great Plains Food Bank with over 6 years of non profit experience in rural and community development. She lends her talents and skills in order to educate, train and support the partner agencies all across the state while overseeing the rural and SNAP outreach programs. “I make sure that our state’s food pantries and other emergency feeding programs have everything they need to serve their clients.” Melissa has also led the organization to offering its first form of direct service to clients through the Mobile Food Pantry. “There is nothing greater than being able to hand a box of food to a family in need. This is what it’s all about.” Melissa holds a BA in Political Science from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.
Email: msobolik@lssnd.org
Advisory Committee
The Great Plains Food Bank is guided by an advisory committee representing partner agencies, the food industry and the community.
Karla Aaland, Merrill Lynch
Stacey Belka, Warner Insurance Company
Marv Bossart, Educator and Retired Broadcaster
Michael Buesgens, Microsoft
Luke Broduer, NDSU Student
Karen Engelter, Office of U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan
Keith Gilleshammer, Community Representative
Pat Leonard, Sanford Health
Jenni Monson, Community Volunteer
Diane Nelson, Bremer Bank
Ann Pollert (Chair), North Dakota Community Action Association
Erin Prochnow, (Secretary) YWCA Cass Clay
Jennifer Schaeffer (LSS Board Liaison), Southwestern District Health Unit
Marti Sunderlin, (Vice Chair) Hornbacher’s Foods |
