Meet The Team
Who we are
Meet the team
Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity staff
Executive Director: Bob Hawley
Bob Hawley is a Midwest farm native, born and raised in eastern South Dakota. He graduated with a Dairy Science degree from South Dakota State University in 1977. The dairy manufacturing industry ultimately led Bob and his wife Connie to Zumbrota, MN where they have lived since 1980. In 1993, Bob transitioned to the leather industry, working in South St. Paul and Red Wing, MN. Bob and Connie raised three boys in Zumbrota and currently have six grand children. Connie enjoys the retail shoe business she created. Bob has enjoyed participating in many different community and church organizations over the years. He values what these organizations, their employees and many selfless volunteers have accomplished to improve their communities. His goal with Habitat for Humanity is to personally pursue the mission of bringing people together to build homes, hope and community, and to help Goodhue County do its part to provide a decent place for everyone to live.
Community Engagement Coordinator: Anna Kohrs
Systems and Financial Administrator: Michelle Baringer
Michelle was born, raised and still resides in Red Wing. She attended RW High School. She went on to earn her AAS degree in Accounting from Inver High Community College and her AAS degree in Photography from Dakota County Technical College. For 21 years she owned a group home and was the primary caregiver to special needs adults. She enjoys remodeling and landscaping projects. She joined our staff in Jan of 2019.
Construction Manager: Bob Bidon
Construction Advisor: John Parkes
John has spent a life time in construction; he was owner and operator of his company for almost twenty years. His first exposure to Habitat for Humanity occurred in 1996 when he had the good fortune to participate in a global village mission project, constructing homes, and attending Spanish language school with his wife
Jannae in Guatemala. That experience created a desire to explore more opportunities with Habitat for Humanity. That opportunity came in 2014 when Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity decided to create a position for a Construction and Outreach Coordinator a position which John served for one and a half years.
In the spring of 2016 the preceding Executive Director that served for 14 years retired and the decision was made to offer John the position of Executive director.
In 2016 Goodhue Habitat for Humanity was able to build homes for two new partner families, and the trend for the future is to increase that outcome.
On February 4th, 2020 John retired from Executive Director and became Habitat’s Construction Advisor.
When John is not occupied with the work of Habitat he enjoys kayaking with his wife (of 39 years) or teasing his two Granddaughters. John’s adventurous side has taken him to Alaska and wilderness rafting.
Board of Directors
President: Nicholas Abney
Nicholas “Nic” joined the board of directors in 2016 after several volunteer build days with his employer, Xcel Energy. He has volunteered with HFH affiliates for several years and is now making greater use of his talents. Nic is a US Navy veteran and originally from Kentucky. He met his wife, Amanda, while stationed in Washington State and now has three wonderful children. Nic is an instructor at the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant in Welch MN. The Abney’s moved to Red Wing, MN in 2011 from Charleston South Carolina. Nic enjoys spending time with his family, enjoying all four seasons, and working on their 100+ year old home.
1st Vice President: Emily Guida Foos
2nd Vice President: Russ Ehlers
Russ is a lifetime resident of Red Wing, MN. He has been a Habitat for Humanity volunteer since 2011, on the Habitat for Humanity board of directors since 2017 and also on the Habitat for Humanity building committee since 2017. Russ works at Red Wing Ford Chrysler in the parts department. He is married to his wife, Brenda for over thirty years. Russ and Brenda have two adult daughters, Laura and Katie. Laura is married to Mark and have a daughter, Lillian. Russ enjoys being outdoors, traveling, and road trips.
Treasurer: Roger Johnson
During Rogers 38 years as a pastor he has taught, preached and tried to model that the good news of God’s love and care must be more than words. It is a message that must be lived out. Roger deeply appreciates how Habitat gives opportunity to do that in a community setting, in retirement Roger hopes to be able to give more time to making his faith tangible.
Roger has been involved with North St. Louis County Habitat for 7 years prior to moving to Red Wing. He has seen Habitat dramatically change the lives of families. It is a way in which God’s love is truly given a tangible expression. He would like to continue helping families through the work of Habitat in Goodhue County.
Having only moved to Red Wing in July of 2016 Roger has not had much exposure to community involvement yet. He has become a member of a church congregation where he teaches Sunday school and serves on a committee. Roger has donated blood at a local Red Cross blood drive. He has had conversations with the Red Wing police chief about continuing his work as a law enforcement chaplain.
1996-2002 Board member of Mesabi Family YMCA – membership committee chairperson
2006-20011 United Way of Northeastern Minnesota board member- member of executive board, board president, treasurer
2011-2016 North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity- board member, executive committee, building committee.
Board Secretary: Angela Foss
Angie is a native of Red Wing. She currently lives in Lake City with her husband, Andy, and her dog, Gomer. Angie has worked in the mortgage industry since 2001, most of this time she has been a Residential Loan Officer with Associated Bank in Red Wing. Angie joined our Family Selection Committee in 2018 and our Board in 2019.
Board Members
Board Member: Dan Bender
Board Member: Maggie Cook
Board Member: Kim Simonson
Board Member: Kyle Paulson
The Go To Team
Dedicated and Hard Working
From left to right John Schueller, Russ Ehlers, Darwin Bartlett, Dan Bender, Ken dicke, Bruce Ohlhaber, and kneeling John Plehal, Dick Eick (not pictured).