You've seen the top five contestants - now it's time to meet the judges!
This year, TS Bank selected four judges who are known within the community for their outstanding leadership and expertise in a given area. We would like to introduce this year's judges and emcee!
Erin Dyer
Erin Dyer is the managing director of Kitchen Council, a new food incubator being established in Council Bluffs in early 2017 that will provide space, services, and community for new food startups in the area. Erin has provided entrepreneurship project management for the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership over the past three years, including consulting with startups in all aspects of their business, developing and organizing startup programs and events, facilitating connections between startup founders and business leaders, researching regional entrepreneurial resources, increasing social media efforts for the startup community and providing entrepreneurship and innovation tours. As a “foodie,” Erin is closely connected to the regional food scene, with an extensive network of chefs, restaurateurs, food product owners, and culinary educators.
Erin is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha where she studied journalism and communications. She began working in the non-profit field during college as an intern for the University of Nebraska Foundation. After graduation she spent three years at KANEKO, a cultural arts non-profit dedicated to exploring creativity in all fields, before joining the Greater Omaha Chamber staff.
Rick Faber
After 30 years of business and leadership experience in sales, marketing, National Director of Corporate Accounts, COO and Divisional President roles, for a publicly traded company. Rick Faber now works with 45 Regional CEO’s as their Vistage Chair and Coach. Rick has experience in distribution, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and environmental services. Rick earned his BA from Northwestern College and his MBA from Creighton University. Rick and his wife Jean have two daughters, Lauren (18) and Leah (13), and live in Omaha Nebraska.
Bob Mundt
Bob has been President and CEO of the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce since June of 1992. Since that time, he has been involved with many of the success stories of Council Bluffs including the coordination and implementation of three strategic plans, re-establishing the Convention/Visitors Bureau, development and construction of the Western Historic Trails Center, and the creation of several economic development partnerships including the Council Bluffs Growth Alliance, the Pottawattamie County Development Corporation, ADVANCE Southwest Iowa, and the Community Betterment Foundation.
His involvement with local, state, and national organizations has allowed him to play a role in several worthy causes including local educational and community issues, the Iowa Department of Economic Development, the Institute for Tomorrow’s Workforce, the Iowa Chamber Alliance, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Bob and his wife Martha have three children, Logan, Jami, and Molly. He is actively involved in their lives and has a special interest in children’s activities including the Board of Directors of Children’s Square USA, YMCA Board of Directors, Lewis Central Board of Education, Lewis Central Booster Club, and coaching several sports. He enjoys basketball, reading, yard work, and music in his spare time.
Andrea Fredrickson
Obsessed with behavior change, Andrea’s personal mission is to help people “get it”. To see things differently. Self-reflect. And never stop looking for ways to improve themselves on a personal and professional level. Purpose-driven. Asks “why”. Gives others a voice.
Because of Andrea’s background in Human Services and her work with Organizational Behavior, her knowledge spans across strategic planning, corporate university development, cultural change, team building and leadership and supervisory development. Passionate about results, she puts clients’ business objectives first.
Kyle Osborne
Kyle is Financial Literacy Manager at TS Institute and joined the team in September 2012. Kyle spends most of his time working with southwest Iowa school districts to assit them in meeting Iowa's 21st Century financial literacy standards. He is a financial literacy content expert and works closely with area teacheres and administrators to provide free resources (curriculum, simulators, after school programming) and consulting services for grades K-12. In addition to working with schools, Kyle aslo works with area non-profit organizations to deliver financial education. Kyle loves meeting new people and really enhoys helping school districts meet the 21st Cenutry standards in their unique way. Prior to joining the TS Institute staff Kyle was a Youth Pastor in Madison, South Dakota, for six years. Kyle holds a Bachelor of Arts degere in Christian Education: Youth Ministry as well as Business Administration: Finance. Kyle lives in Council Bluffs with his wife Michell and their three children, Ella, Judah and Lilly.