Jeannine Acker
President - Camp Knutson Volunteers
A lifelong resident of Minnesota, Jeannine Acker grew up in Golden Valley. Until a year ago, Jeannine and husband Keith split their time between Plymouth, MN and Crosslake. They are now full-time residents of Crosslake! Jeannine spent most of her career working in the medical device industry. She managed cardiac surgery meetings, trainings and trade shows for Medtronic and two smaller start-up companies. Her event management experience has been a good fit for helping plan Night Under the Stars fundraisers. She is passionate about Camp Knutson’s mission, and the children and families it supports. Jeannine enjoys travel, boating, hiking, cooking and hosting family and friends in Crosslake.
Linda Gates
Vice President - Camp Knutson Volunteers
Linda grew up on a farm in southern MN before moving to Rochester and working at Mayo Clinic for 35 plus years. Linda and her husband Brian have two stepsons and two grandchildren. After retirement in 2007, Linda and Brian moved to Pelican Lake full time. She learned about Camp Knutson while attending Crosslake Lutheran Church’s outdoor summer services and started volunteering in 2008. She has enjoyed card making, tailgating, beading, gardening, serving dinners and working on several fundraiser event committees. She enjoys family time, church activities, card making, sewing, gardening, golfing and volunteering at Camp Knutson. Linda sees the significant impact on the campers and appreciates the many friends she has made.
Jane Borden
Secretary - Camp Knutson Volunteers
Bio Coming Soon
Mardy Brodil
Treasurer - Camp Knutson Volunteers
Mardy grew up in Iowa and upon HS graduation moved to Omaha, NE to continue her education in finance where she met her husband, Joe. She and Joe moved to MN in 1974. During her career Mardy has volunteered her time at various organizations working with and for kids. Upon her retirement from BCBSMN in 2010 Mardy and Joe relocated to the Crosslake area. Mardy and Joe both strongly believe in giving back to the community – Joe is the AIS Director for WAPOA and Mardy has been volunteering at Camp Knutson since 2011. In addition to volunteering at the camp, Mardy enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, golfing and traveling.
Ronda Morin
Marketing / Communications Chair - Camp Knutson Volunteers
Ronda Morin, a Crystal, Minnesota native, earned her Associates degree in Applied Science prior to working for Northwest Airlines from 1981-1991. She raised her family in Plymouth, and has always volunteered extensively. She continues to work with the literacy program in the Wayzata school district and also teaching Sunday School. She and her husband purchased their lake home on Ox Lake in 2010. Ronda enjoys weekends at the lake, volunteering, reading, and loves to spend time with her grandson.
Laurie Noll
Volunteer Coordinator - Camp Knutson Volunteers
Laurie Noll is a native to Minnesota living in the Twin Cities most of her life. Her and her husband Bob purchased their lake shore property on Lake Ossawinnamakee in 2001 and have enjoyed all the north country has to offer ever since. Laurie’s extensive career at 3M in Customer Service and Sales have given her the skills to reach out to connect and understand the needs of those she supports. Having tried other volunteer opportunities in the area, she found Camp K. offers her the fulfillment she was looking for while at the same time opening her world to wonderful friends in the Camp K volunteer network. Her passion is helping others and she is generous with her time and commitment. She is truly enthusiastic about the mission of Camp K. and is willing to go the extra mile to help. She loves staying close to her four children, their families, seven grandchildren and a great grandchild. She enjoys working on projects with her husband, fishing, snowmobiling, and cleaning (yes... cleaning) and opening their cabin to family and friends whenever possible.
Lori Lee
Membership Coordinator - Camp Knutson Volunteers
Lori Lee is a Minnesota native, born and raised in Sandstone, MN, where she came to love the Minnesota lakes country early in her life. She received a Bachelors of Nursing degree from South Dakota State University and had a successful and diversified career as an RN working early in her career in various hospital settings. Lori and her husband, Ron, have three adult children, the oldest of whom was born with developmental delays and autism. Lori devoted herself full-time to her kids when they were young and then resumed her nursing career in the school setting as a Licensed School Nurse in the Birth to 5 program in Edina MN, where she worked until retirement in 2019. Lori’s experience as a mom of a child with disabilities naturally drew her to Camp Knutson and its mission. Lori is currently the Membership Chairperson and has been an active volunteer in various Camp K activities such as Sundae Funday, the Silent Auction, and the Quilt Auction. Lori and Ron bought their cabin on Island Lake 11 years ago and now call Crosslake their home. Lori enjoys boating, jogging, reading, playing the piano, hiking, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and most importantly…spending time with family.
Jean Jones
Marketing & Communications Assistant - Camp Knutson Volunteers
Jean Jones is a Nebraska native, landing at their 100 year old Lakes area home for the summer. Her Doctor of Education degree led her to work with research, teaching, community planning, and marketing at University of NE and Concordia University. She was drawn to the fundraising activities at Camp and was instrumental in creating the first website and Greater Giving platform for Night Under the Stars. When she isn’t glued to the computer, she spends time on the family business, gardening, playing the piano, and traveling, mostly to see her grandchildren. She loves the opportunities the Camp offers, as well as the friendships she has made.
Cindy Melsby
Past President - Camp Knutson Volunteers
Cindy grew up in St. Paul MN, and worked for Thomson Reuters for 21 years in Printing and Manufacturing and 16 years in Marketing before retiring in 2014. It was there she gained skills in organizing, planning, and executing, as well as met her husband Lee. They bought their home on Pelican Lake in 2014 and moved there fulltime in 2015. Cindy wanted a chance to have the time and place where she could donate her skills and love of helping others and found Camp Knutson in 2016. Besides camp, she enjoys sewing, quilting, crafting, traveling as well as spending time with her two adult girls who live in the cities, and having coffee/lunch with friends, both here and in the cities. Cindy is grateful to have the opportunity to serve Camp Knutson and to be a part of a team that believes in the Camp’s mission.
Jared Griffin
Senior Camp Director - Staff
Jared Griffin has been onboard as senior director since June 2015. He grew up on farm in Iowa and has background as a special education teacher. He joins us after several years of working as the program director for a special needs camp near the boundary waters. Jared and his wife, Jo, met while working at a summer camp. Jo is an occupational therapist. Jared and Jo are blessed to be raising their three daughters Payton, Sadie and Kacey at camp.
Caitlin Malin
Program Director - Staff
Caitlin was a Camp K summer staff for three summers and became a part of the year round leadership team after graduating from UW-La Crosse in 2015. Caitlin is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation and Child Life Specialist. Caitlin grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin and her passion to work with people with identified needs stems from her younger brother, who has born with Down syndrome. Camp Knutson has given her the opportunity to work alongside those who share their endless love, energy, and compassion for others. When Caitlin is not at camp, she loves spending time with her dog Cooper, serves as a First Responder and Firefighter, loves being outdoors, hiking, taking naps, playing sports, and spending time with family and friends!