Meet the team that makes The Network Connect work. From coordinating events, helping communicate with constituents, maintaining databases, managing the website, to producing video materials for the organization and its business partners.
Dick Sommerstad
Co-Founder/Managing Partner
Dick’s extensive pioneering innovation and entrepreneurial experience span over forty-eight years. He has developed an extensive personal network of associates in all areas of business that call on him to assist with their businesses. Dick has developed and implemented business strategies for the University of Minnesota, Medical Clinics, Community Foundations, Cities, & the State of Minnesota. Dick worked with Businesses in Retail, Software, Hardware, Medical Device, Pharmaceuticals, Biotech, Engineering, Agriculture, Food, Services, Manufacturing, Graphic Arts, and Governments.
Rick Brimacomb
Co-Founder
Rick has been advising and investing in emerging companies for about 20+ years as a venture capitalist. Prior to that time, he covered and worked with early-stage companies as a research analyst and investment banker. For over two decades, he helped numerous companies develop into “investment grade” opportunities, attract funding and create shareholder value. Prior to Brimacomb & Associates, Rick co-founded the Sherpa Trek venture capital fund, an early-stage venture capital firm. His earlier experience includes venture capital, investment banking and investment research at Smaby Group, Norwest Venture Capital, Piper Jaffray and Needham & Co., respectively. Rick is founder of Club Entrepreneur, co-founder of MOJO Minnesota and a past President of the Minnesota Venture Capital Association. Additionally, he has been recognized by the Business Journal as a recipient of the “40 Under 40” award.
Scot Combs
Scot is owner of Sgith Media, an Internet media company helping businesses create and implement online media-based content. Sgith Media helps companies ‘tell their stories’ online to engage customers and clients in ways words and pictures cannot. Scot has a background in media, broadcasting, and Internet marketing. Scot is a skilled presenter and works with CEOs of small companies to help prepare them to present live or on-camera. Scot was the founder of NetRadio in the 1990’s – the Internet’s first online radio business.
Kelsey Siqveland
Kelsey is a web and graphic designer at Kelsey Anne Design. Her passion is to create captivating designs that successfully communicate her client’s message and inspire others. With her multi-faceted background in design, web development and marketing, Kelsey approaches her projects with a designer’s eye, coder’s logic, and marketer’s strategy. Working with small businesses for over 8 years, Kelsey understands that her audience appreciates working with a person and not an entire army. She listens closely to each client’s unique situation to create an effective strategy that ultimately enhances their brand identity and delivers.
Kris Collins
Kris Collins has more than than 10 years experience in the public accounting industry, focusing on tax advising and preparation, payroll and accounting for individuals and small businesses, as well as financial statement audits. Collins has earned the designations of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®). Kris follows the philosophy if you are responsible with the little things, and you will be trusted with more.
Anna Struss
Anna is founder of Tangled Anchor; a life-long unfolding of mindset, connection & adventure. Tangibly her work can be seen through partnering to provide creative and/or purposeful events for small businesses & private parties. If a deeper dive is what you’re after flip to the other side of the sea. Group and one-on-one coaching, certain to uncover what is stopping you, slowing you down or keeping you from living within the highest version of yourself…because don’t we all want that?! Visit www.tangledanchor.life to learn more. Tangled Anchor, Clarity in the Chaos!
Brad Lehrman
Brad Lehrman is an attorney with the Minneapolis law firm Soffer Charbonnet, where Brad practices in the corporate finance and entrepreneurial venture group. Lehrman is also the founder and President of Portage Capital, Inc., a business and venture capital consulting firm serving a select number of emerging companies with business management and investor relation services. Brad is also a founding “agitator” of MOJO Minnesota, a Minnesota innovation advocacy force comprised of business leaders working to fuel entrepreneurship and ignite Minnesota’s culture of innovation.