Pete Larson, Chair, Parent

plarson@eagleridgeacademy.org

Pete Larson has worked for Bethany Press International, a manufacturer of paperback books in Bloomington, for the last 10 years in a variety of roles.  Currently, he serves as the Chief Operations Officer.  Prior to that, he worked in newspaper advertising sales and management.  He is a graduate from Michigan Technological University with a degree in Personnel and Industrial Relations.  Mr. Larson and his wife, Susan, reside in Shakopee with their four children.

Paul Long, Vice Chair, Parent

plong@eagleridgeacademy.org

Paul serves as President and owner of the re:member group, a loyalty marketing company. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Advertising and Public Relations from Drake University and an MBA from St. Thomas University. He brings to the board his experience in contracts, human resources, project management, finance and overall small-business management.  He is excited about working with the rest of the board to execute policy and direction that serves the already-established Mission, Vision and Pillars of Eagle Ridge Academy.

Mike Hess, Treasurer, Parent

mhess@eagleridgeacademy.org

 Mike Hess is the Vice President of Innovation at Medtronic Inc.  where he has worked for the last 20 years.  Mr. Hess and his wife Annemarie reside in South Minneapolis with their five children, two of whom attend Eagle Ridge.  Mr. Hess has a biomedical engineering degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland OH and a Masters in Software Engineering from the University of St. Thomas.  Mr. Hess also serves on the board of directors for the Minnesota Childrens Museum, the U of M Carlson School board of overseers, and academic advisory boards for the U niversity of Minnesota, Case Western Reserve, and the University of Buffalo.

Jessica Bergeron, Secretary, Teacher

jbergeron@eagleridgeacademy.org

Mrs. Bergeron has been teaching high school Latin at Eagle Ridge Academy since 2008.   She graduated from St. Olaf College with a degree in English and Ancient Studies and is licensed to teach both Communication Arts/Literature and Latin.  After college, she taught English at South High School in Minneapolis. She then taught Creative Writing & Latin at both South View Middle School and Valley View Middle School in Edina.  Mrs. Bergeron is currently in her third year of serving on the Board of Directors and is the Board liason for the Curriculum Work Group.  In her spare time, Mrs. Bergeron enjoys spending time with her husband, Ryan, and her sons, Joshua and Ethan.

Kenneth Greener, Community Member

kgreener@eagleridgeacademy.org

Jim Pearson, Parent

jpearson@eagleridgeacademy.org

Jim Pearson has worked in the Information Technology field for most of his career. He currently works at Pentair Corporation as Senior Network Engineer and has had similar positions with Pella Corporation and NordicTrack. He obtained a BS in Computer Science and Engineering Technology from LeTourneau University in Longview, TX. Jim's wife, Marie, helped found the PTO at Eagle Ridge and served as President for 1 year. His daughter has attended Eagle Ridge for the last 6 years.

Andrew Carlson, Teacher

acarlson@eagleridgeacademy.org

Mr. Carlson graduated from St. Olaf College with a B.A. in English and Theater/Communication and from the University of St. Thomas with a masters in education.  Before coming to Eagle Ridge, he taught int he Hopkins and Wayzata districts where he enjoyed teaching 7-9 grade language arts and a wide variety of electives including Communication, People's Court, and Research Paper for the College Bound.  He also worked as a shelter advocate for Simpson Housing Services Men's Shelter for a number of years.  When he is not teaching, Mr. Carlson enjoys fishing, reading, and playing guitar.  Most of his time outside of the classrrom is spent with his wife, Katie, and son, Isaac (the cutest boy ever).

Carolyn Sommers Tillotson, Teacher

csommerstillotson@eagleridgeacademy.org

Mrs. Sommers Tillotson teaches middle school science at Eagle Ridge Academy; she has been with Eagle Ridge Academy since it opened in 2004. She received her Bachelor of Arts in biology from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. She served as the board secretary for the 2007-2009 school years, and served on the Fundraising Committee for the same period. She lives with her husband David in Richfield. Mrs. Sommers Tillotson is a member of the Governance  Group.

 Dan Walker, Teacher

dwalker@eagleridgeacademy.org

Mr. Walker graduated from Bethel University with a degree in International Relations/Business.  He then worked as a PE teacher in a large private school in southern California for 7 years.  During that time he received his elementary teaching licenses.  For the last 18 years he has taught at Chapel Hill in Chanhassen.  Mr. Walker has experience teaching third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades as well as junior high Biblical Studies and history.  He has also dabbled in coaching.  Mr. Walker has organized 8 trips to the east coast to study our nation's history and government.  He will certainly impart his love of learning to his students. Mr. Walker is married to an elementary teacher and has two daughters.  He loves to garden, read, work on home projects, go to Twins games and take walks with his wife and wacky dog Deke.

Mary Wolff, Teacher

mwolff@eagleridgeacademy.org

Ms. Wolff received her Bachelor's Degree in Spanish and Physical Education from Minnesota State University, Mankato; her K-6 Certification from the University of Minnesota; and a Court Reporting Degree from the Minnesota School of Business. She worked several years as a freelance court reporter and served on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Court Reporters Association. She is currently in her 16th year of working in secondary education and teaches high school Spanish.  She held the position of Board Vice Chair during the 2010-2011 school year and is currently in her third year of serving on the ERA Board of Directors.  Ms. Wolff is also a member of the Facilities Work Group and is the Board liaison for the Human Resources Work Group.

Ms. Wolff has a daughter who taught elementary education in Eden Prairie for the last four years, a daughter who recruits and supervises community volunteers in Chicago, and a son who just recently completed two years of working as a dog handler in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sacha Muller, Teacher

smuller@eagleridgeacademy.org

 Sacha Muller has worked with Eagle Ridge Academy in a variety of long term substitute positions over the last four years. He graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences in 2002. He earned a Master in Teaching degree from The Evergreen State College in 2005. He has taught in a variety of schools in both Washington and Minnesota. After graduating from Evergreen, he moved with his family to Minnesota. He spends his time away from school with his wife and two boys. Together they enjoy fishing, geocaching, and other outdoor activities.