Homecoming Panel Set for BSU Homecoming Student Audience!

Joanne Provo, Ph.D. Vice President and Managing Director, Midwest Region
PDI Ninth House

Dr. Provo is Vice President and Managing Director for the Midwest Region of PDI Ninth House, a global leadership solutions company, based in Minneapolis. Her consulting and coaching capabilities benefit from her deep expertise in finance, strategy, and human resource development.

Prior to joining PDI NH, Dr. Provo held various roles at United Defense, FMC, Northrop, and Republic Precious Metals, in finance and organizational strategy. She has done a great deal of writing in the area of human resource development and strategy. Her work can be found in a number of professional journals, including Human Resource Development Quarterly, Human Resource Development International, and Adult Education Quarterly.

Dr. Provo has been an adjunct professor for undergraduate and graduate programs at several universities including the University of Minnesota and the University of St. Thomas, where she received the Excellence in Teaching Award. Her teaching and consulting have an international focus as she has lived as an expat and travelled extensively. She has set a personal goal to spend time in 100 countries before she turns 65.

In addition to her broad corporate and educational experience, Dr. Provo has held leadership positions with a number of non-profit and community organizations. She was a trustee for 12 years at the Basilica of St. Mary and she is currently Chair of the Midwest Leadership Circle for the White House Project, a non partisan organization focused on efforts to involve, engage, and train women for political office.

Joanne received her B.S. in Business Administration from Bemidji State University with Minors in Psychology and Computer Science. Her MBA is from DePaul University in Chicago where she majored in Finance. She received her Ph.D. in Human Resource Development from the University of Minnesota.

Scott Pearson, Senior Marketing Representative
Federated Insurance

Scott Pearson earned a bachelor`s degree in business administration from Bemidji State University in 1977. While attending BSU, Scott was a member of the Track and Field team and a 4-year letter winner. During his senior year at Bemidji State, Scott was hired by an on-campus recruiter from Federated Insurance. He has spent his entire career marketing business insurance products in north central Minnesota for Federated. His current title is Senior Marketing Representative. Scott is a member of the Federated Chairman`s Council, a Distinguished Service Award winner, and a three-time recipient of the Pinnacle of Performance Award; Federated`s highest marketing honor.
Scott is a member of several BSU organizations and event planning committees including Beaver Pride, the Bemidji Area Alumni Chapter, the Hardwater Classic, and the Family Friends Program, which hosts international students. Scott`s community involvements include serving as a guide for the Take-a-Kid Fishing and Let`s Go Fishing events. He is a volunteer for Fishing Has No Boundaries and for the Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival. He has served as a committee member for the local chapter of Ducks Unlimited, Muskies Inc., and the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association. He recently earned certification as a National Weather Services Skywarn Spotter. He has served as audio technician at Trinity Lutheran Church for 28 years and is a co-founder of the Cass Lake Lake Owners Association. For the past 25 years, Scott has served as a mentor for BSU seniors considering marketing positions, allowing them to shadow him for a day as he interacts with current customers and prospects. Scott and his wife, Kate (BSU `78, `82), make their home in Bemidji.

Linda S. Hanson, Senior Vice President / Investments
Stifel Nicolaus

Linda has been a financial advisor since 1983. Her expertise has been in assisting individuals, small to medium corporations and non-profit organizations for 28 years.

A team of three provides services to clients ranging from retirement planning, estate building and preparation, second and third generation succession plans to portfolio building and asset management.

She works with people that are looking for a sense of relief regarding their financial future. They visualize their future and together we develop a roadmap to get them there.

Advanced courses in money management, estate and tax planning have assisted in her ability to keep pace with the changing lifestyles requirements of today`s investor.

Linda has consistently been recognized for her achievements in the financial services business as well as within her community.

She is a Director of Brainerd Rotary Foundation, a Director of the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation and chairperson of the Brainerd Women`s fund. She is a past director of the Bemidji State University Foundation. She is a Juliet Gordon Lowe Society member of the Girl Scouts.

Linda`s interests include wilderness adventures, international treks, an avid kayaker, cross country skiing, hunting and gardening. Linda has two daughters.

Tom Welle, President & Chief Executive Officer
First National Bank

Tom Welle is a 1972 graduate of Bemidji State University. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with minors in mathematics and physics. Upon graduation, Tom began his banking career as an examiner for Bremer Bank in St. Paul, Minnesota. He transferred to their Brainerd branch in 1975, where he initially worked as a lender and then as Executive Vice President. He is a 1980 graduate of the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin. In 1982, Tom accepted the position of President at Bremer’s International Falls bank and served in that capacity for three years. Tom returned to Bemidji in 1985 to work as Executive Vice President for First National Bank, Bemidji, a community bank opened in 1897. The bank was acquired by his grandfather and great uncle in 1944. In 1988, Tom was named President and CEO of that bank, a position he still holds today.

Tom has been very involved in the community of Bemidji and serves as a Board member and treasurer of the Bemidji Baseball Association. He belongs to the Bemidji Curling Club and the Bemidji Town & Country Club. Previous community service includes membership on the BSU Foundation Board of Directors and the Beaver Pride board, President of the Bemidji Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the North Country Regional Hospital Foundation and the Bemidji Library Foundation, served as board and executive committee member of the Lakeland Public Television and for many years coached baseball for the local Babe Ruth and VFW teams. He currently serves as Past Chair of the Minnesota Banker’s Association.