A native of Chicago, Amy is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She began her career in public relations in Orlando, Fla. After a few years, she returned to her roots in Chicagoland, where she accepted a new challenge: a position in the human resources field as a recruiter. She worked for Ernst & Young LLP and the American Dental Association before joining the Hormel Foods team in Austin, MN. Since then, she has served as corporate recruiter, supervisor of recruiting and corporate manager of talent acquisition to her current role, Director of Talent Acquisition.

Amy is passionate about developing talent and working with youth/high school programs in her community to help future generations realize their potential.  

Jeff is a native of Austin, his career includes 33 years of restaurant management and was the successful owner/operator of Austin Culver’s Restaurant until he sold in June of 2009.

After selling the restaurant he went to work for the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce, supporting Ambassador activities, membership and the 4th of July Freedom Fest.

Baldus was selected as the Austin Area Foundation’s first executive director in May of 2014.

He has been previously active on many local boards and in volunteer positions including past Austin Chamber of Commerce president, Freedom Fest Director, KSMQ board member, Mower County Health Services advisory board member, Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau board member, Austin ArtWorks steering committee member, Paint the Town Pink steering committee member, board member of the United Way and board member on The Hormel Foundation.

Jeff lives in Austin with his wife Kris, and has two adult children. 

 Mortgage Expert | Wealth Advocate | Community Builder

 As a dedicated Ceritifed Mortgage Advisor and leader in Southeastern Minnesota, Kris Heichel, serves as the driving force behind a top mortgage team in the state for helping families purchase homes. Based in Austin, MN, and focusing on the Rochester and SE Minnesota areas, Kris is passionate about real estate as a wealth-building tool and is committed to empowering families through real estate ownership.

 In addition to guiding clients through the mortgage process,  Kris is also an advocate for financial literacy, believing it should be a core subject in secondary education.

 Active in the community, Kris serves on the Executive Board of the Austin Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the Port Authority, and supports young entrepreneurs through the Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities board.

Lyndsey has worked in Finance for 20 years and is the President/CEO at Accentra Credit Union.  She has a Bachelor in Accounting and is a 2023 graduate of CUNA Management School as a Certified Credit Union Executive.

 

Lyndsey also serves as the Treasurer of the Mower County Senior Center and is a member of the MN Department of Commerce Credit Union Advisory Group.

 

She lives in Austin with her husband Jason and their two daughters.

Andrea has worked in Austin Public Schools for over 20 years.  During that time she has worked as Social Studies teacher, assistant principal, Austin High School Principal, and now in the Office of Teaching and Learning coordinating gifted and talented programs, teacher mentorship, and 5-12 curriculum.  She has been a part of the Mower County CEO Board as a school representative since the start of the program in 2018. 

My husband, Rod, and I were both born and raised in Austin and graduated from AHS (Central) in 1974.  I attended Riverland Community College and then completed my BS in Elementary Education/Special Education at Bemidji State University.  I completed my Middle School Endorsement at St. Thomas, Masters degree at Hamline, obtained my principal’s license from Winona State University and my superintendent’s license from St. Mary’s.  Rod and I worked and lived in the Twin Cities for 13 years and then returned to Austin to raise our family. Our two children graduated from AHS. I am retired from Austin Public Schools after 25 years of service as both a teacher and a principal at Ellis Middle School, Neveln Elementary, Woodson Kindergarten Center, and IJ Holton Intermediate School. I had the honor to be part of the leadership team who opened both Woodson Kindergarten Center and IJ Holton Intermediate School.  I am currently the President/Principal at Pacelli Catholic Schools in Austin, supporting the education and faith formation of 330+ preschool - grade 12 students. I am also the proud grandmother of seven grandchildren ranging from first grade to sophomore in college.

I have been a CEO Mentor for six years and a board member for a year.  The value of the program and its impact on students is invaluable to the student, the community, and the mentors.  The return on our students' investment has already shown greatly, and we still have more to see, which is exciting. My husband and I have owned and operated our chiropractic business for over 20 years in this formidable community.  Our middle daughter had the privilege and honor of being in the CEO Program.  Being a mentor, parent of a CEO student, and now board member has given me a full view of the responsibility to ensure this program is supported.  This program excites me.  I love the connections I have made with the mentees I have had and having a front row seat to their journey.  These students are doing phenomenal things with he support of the Mower County CEO Program. I look forward to seeing what the next 20 years look like in our community with this program.

I was born and raised in Austin, Minnesota, and in 2021, I returned home to serve as Superintendent of Austin Public Schools. Leading the district that helped shape my own educational journey has been both a profound responsibility and one of the greatest privileges of my career.

With 30 years of experience in education, I have been fortunate to serve students, educators, families/caregivers, and communities as a classroom teacher, media director, principal, superintendent, and state association leader. I began my career in Bloomington Public Schools before moving into leadership roles in Yellow Medicine East, Richfield Public Schools, Byron Public Schools, and ultimately Austin Public Schools.

Throughout my career, I have been guided by a simple belief: public education can change lives. When schools set high expectations, build strong relationships, and offer meaningful opportunities, students discover what is possible for themselves and their future. Leadership is about creating the conditions that allow others to succeed. My responsibility is to help build the systems, culture, and shared commitment that enable students, staff, and communities to thrive.

As a principal in Richfield Public Schools, I was honored to be recognized as Minnesota's Science and Mathematics Elementary and Middle-Level Principal of the Year. I also had the privilege of serving as President of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association, representing school leaders and advocating for students across Minnesota. Before returning to Austin, I served as Superintendent of Byron Public Schools.

Since arriving in Austin, I have focused on creating greater clarity, alignment, and purpose throughout the organization. Working alongside our Board of Education, staff, students, families/caregivers, and community partners, we have clarified our vision and mission, established a strategic roadmap for the future, defined the experience we want every learner to have, and created a shared framework for decision-making, accountability, and continuous improvement. This work has strengthened organizational alignment while keeping our focus on preparing all learners to make a difference in the world.

I believe sustainable improvement occurs when organizations are clear about where they are going, why they exist, and how they will work together to achieve their goals. My leadership has centered on building trust, developing leaders, fostering accountability, and creating systems that support long-term success. The accomplishments I am most proud of are not individual achievements. They result from talented people working together in the service of students.

Beyond my role as superintendent, I am committed to serving the broader community. I currently serve on the Hormel Foundation Board of Directors, the Mayo Clinic Health System-Austin Foundation Board, and the Southeast Minnesota Community Engagement Council for Mayo Clinic Health System. I am also active in local civic organizations that help strengthen connections between schools and the community.

My educational preparation includes bachelor's degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education from Dakota State University, a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and a Doctor of Education degree from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. In 2021, I completed the AASA National Superintendent Certification Program with Distinction.

I am proud to serve the Austin community alongside my wife, Dr. Chel Page. Together, our children have shaped us and continue to inspire us, reinforcing our commitment to helping young people discover their strengths, pursue their aspirations, and realize their potential.

While I am grateful for the opportunities I have had throughout my career, the work that continues to inspire me is helping young people discover their strengths, pursue their aspirations, and prepare to make a difference in the world. That responsibility remains at the heart of every decision I make as an educator and leader, and it continues to shape my commitment to public education every day.