ROCHESTER, Minn. August 20, 2015 – The Destination Medical Center (DMC) Economic Development Agency (EDA) today announced it has hired three additional professionals. Communications and Community Relations Director Mary Welder, Finance Director Mitch Abeln and Executive Assistant Cody Pogalz join the DMC EDA team, which includes Executive Director Lisa Clarke and Economic Development and Placemaking Director Patrick Seeb.
“Each of these individuals brings their own uniquely impressive skill set to the table,” said Clarke. “Our dedicated team will propel the DMC initiative forward as we begin implementing our development plan.”
Mary Welder has been selected as the DMC EDA’s Communications and Community Relations Director. A Rochester resident, Welder spent the past 15 years in various positions with International Business Machines, Corp (IBM); most recently serving as an Executive Communications Advisor. Previous responsibilities at IBM included media relations, government relations, corporate citizenship and other communications functions. In addition to her broad communications background, Welder also has extensive experience in community relations. She has served on various local boards, including the Rochester Boys and Girls Club and the Journey to Growth marketing committee. Welder graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism and The University of St. Thomas Master of Business Communication Program with a public relations certification.
Mitch Abeln will be the DMC EDA’s Finance Director. He comes to the DMC EDA from Houston, Texas, where he was a Consultant with WG Consulting. There, he developed and directed the inaugural budget and forecast process at a newly public company with more than $1 billion in revenue. He was also part of a group that designed a model to project and monitor a new E-Commerce platform. Abeln previously served as Finance Manager for SpartanNash in Minneapolis. He is a CFA Charterholder and graduated with an MBA from the IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain. He also received a Bachelor of Science degree in Managerial Economics from the University of California at Davis.
Cody Pogalz will be the DMC EDA’s Executive Assistant. Previously, Pogalz held the role of Administrative Assistant at Rochester and Community Technical College (RCTC), where he graduated. He earned his Associate of Science degree in Business Administration and was elected student president. Additionally, Pogalz served as a medical sergeant and supervisor for the United States Army at Fort Irwin, CA.
Patrick Seeb was recently announced as the DMC EDA’s Economic Development and Placemaking Director and will join the team in September. Lisa Clarke was named Executive Director in April. Next month, the staff will move to their new location, on the ground-level of the Rosa Parks Pavilion at 195 South Broadway.
Clarke added, “As part of its ongoing commitment, Mayo Clinic will continue to provide staff support to Destination Medical Center.”
The Destination Medical Center (DMC) Economic Development Agency (EDA) is a non-profit agency that contracts with the Destination Medical Center Corporation (DMC Corporation) to provide staffing and services in support of the DMC initiative. The DMC EDA works with the City of Rochester, the DMCC and other stakeholders to develop and implement the DMC plans and help facilitate the desired private and public investments in Rochester, Minnesota. For more information about DMC, visit www.dmc.mn.
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