Lynn DeVore, Director of Sponsor Relations
Douglas Fehlen, Assistant Bookstore Manager
Dawn Flinsch, Development Director
Rachel Fulkerson, Public Awareness Director
John McCarten, Bookstore Manager
Linda Merritt, Office Manager
Adam Olson, Public Awareness Coordinator
Andrea Retterath, Development Assistant
Sandra Toland, Program Intern
Stu Wilson, Executive Director
Lynn joined the Library Foundation in March of 2007 as Senior Development Associate with responsibility for the development and coordination of the Pen Pals Author Lecture Series, corporate sponsorships, planned giving, annual fundraising and special events, and donor and Board relations.
Douglas began volunteering with The Friends in 2003. In 2007, he joined the staff as Assistant Bookstore Manager. Douglas works with volunteers at the Central Library Bookstore and assists with special projects, including coordination of the Local Publisher Program. He is currently an editor at Free Spirit Publishing and a volunteer literacy tutor at the Franklin Learning Center.
Dawn joined the Friends in 2002 as Campaign Coordinator for the Central Library’s $15 million capital campaign. She went on to coordinate the pre-opening and grand opening events when the Central Library opened to the public in May 2006. Her current responsibilities include planning and implementing all elements of the Foundation's Development program including the Minerva Circle, individual gifts, corporate and foundation grants.
Rachel has been with The Friends since 2001, starting as the Program and Membership Director and evolving into her current position as Public Awareness Director. She develops and coordinates the Foundations public programs -- such as The People’s University, Talk of the Stacks, and Childish Films. Supporting development and advocacy efforts, she oversees all of the Foundation's communications materials including the website, newsletters, fundraising materials, and merchandise design.
John McCarten is the Manager for the bookstores at the Minneapolis Central Library and the Washburn Community Library. He has been with the organization since 1994, first as a volunteer for the Book Store, then as Assistant Manager, and now as the full time manager (since 2000). John works with a dedicated group of volunteers to offer the public discarded library books and library merchandise.
Linda joined The Friends as Office Manager in 2005. She is responsible for the financial administration and fiscal reporting of the Foundation programs and operations. Other activities include gift/fund/endowment tracking, administrating employee benefits, and inventory control. Linda keeps the organization in compliance with state and federal filings, as well as assists in the annual budgeting and audit processes.
Adam joined the Friends staff in June 2006 as Program Assistant for public events and Research Assistant in support of library advocacy and the Library Advisory Committee, a board charged with exploring long-term funding solutions for the Minneapolis Public Library. As public awareness coordinator, Adam's responsibilities now include ongoing research in support of public libraries, serving as a liaison to community organizations, assisting with communications, and spearheading event logistics.
Andrea joined the Foundation staff as Development Assistant in August of 2009. Her responsibilities include database management and maintenance, preparing mailings, and helping around the office. She works primarily with the Development team and Office Manager.
Sandy is interning this Spring with the Library Foundation. She will graduate in May with a Master of Library Science degree from the University of Tennessee. She's looking forward to gaining practical experience planning and executing programs throughout the semester. In her spare time she works at Minitex.
With the creation of a newly united Foundation with The Friends in October 2008, Stu Wilson joined the staff as the new executive director. For the past 12 years, Wilson was on staff at The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, serving most recently as Vice President of Operations. At the Saint Paul Friends, he oversaw individual giving, programming, public relations, strategic planning, and the Minnesota Book Awards. Wilson has written numerous articles for national library journals, and is a frequent presenter at state and national conferences. He currently serves on the boards of Coffee House Press and the Minnesota Library Foundation.