Board of Directors
The Edina Historical Society is governed by a Board of Directors. Board members are elected to three-year terms, with one-third of the board up for re-election every year. The Board generally meets the first Monday of every month, at 7:00 p.m. at the Edina History Museum. Contact staff or the board president if you have a topic you'd like discussed at a regular board meeting.
Board Members
Jayne Becker - EHS Board Co-Treasurer
Jayne Becker is an educator, historian and museum consultant. She spent seventeen years working with the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) in interpretation, program development and museum management. Inspired by the stories of the past, Jayne loves creating public programs that highlight the human side of history and offer meaningful experiences for our community. Jayne received her BA degree in Theatre Art from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. An Edina resident since 2008, Jayne is excited to serve as an EHS Board Co-Treasurer and welcomes the opportunity to explore the history behind the suburb she calls home.
Bob Benson - EHS Board Co-Treasurer
Bob Benson served his country as an Airborne Infantryman and helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. After military service, he spent thirty years in the business realm before joining the FBI, serving in the Critical Incident Response Group. Bob earned his MBA at the University of Minnesota and completed a graduate program in leadership at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. A Trustee for Outward Bound School, he was involved with several community programs such as Leadership Minneapolis. He serves as EHS Board Co-Treasurer and is a founding contributor and committee member for the Edina Veterans Memorial.
Frank Cardarelle - EHS Board Director Emeritus
Frank has been involved with EHS since its inception in 1969, when he and his wife Lois became ‘pioneer members’. He is an Edina High School graduate – and a member of its first graduating class. Frank’s great grandmother moved to Edina in 1874 when Edina was still part of Richfield Township, and his family has resided here ever since. His grandchildren are 7th generation Edina residents! Chances are that if you live in Edina, your property was surveyed by Frank or his dad – their family surveying business surveyed many of the original Edina subdivisions. Frank has been an active member of the Edina Rotary since 1962. Board Member since 1969.
Kathleen Carter - EHS Board Vice President
Kathleen Carter is SVP of Business Development and Client Strategy at Archway Marketing Services. She is a proud graduate of Edina public schools and holds a BS degree in Journalism and Business Communications from St. Catherine University. A lifelong resident of Edina, she grew up in the historic Country Club District. Kathleen currently serves as the EHS Board Vice President. In her spare time, Kathleen is an avid reader, traveler, supporter of film and an ardent enthusiast of Edina’s history and traditions. She was honored as one of Minnesota Business Magazine’s 2018 Women Who Lead.
John Everett - EHS Board Member
A lifelong resident of Edina and a top-selling realtor for Edina Realty, John has a passion for this city and its history. He is an active community member who understands the important place a home serves in the lives of individuals and families. A graduate of Our Lady of Grace, Edina East High School and the University of St. Thomas, John shares his life with his wife, Mary and their three children. He is excited to serve in sharing our history and upholding our best Edina traditions.
Mark Granlund - EHS Board Member
Mark is a lifelong resident of Edina and has been a successful realtor at Edina Realty for over 20 years, specializing in the Edina market. He is passionate about preserving and sharing the history of our community. In frequent attendance at Edina City Council meetings, Mark stays abreast on all things Edina. An alum of both Wooddale and Concord and a graduate of Edina East High School and the University of Minnesota, Mark continues to support his hometown Hornets through Edina youth sports.
Paul Horan - EHS Board Member
Paul grew up in Edina where he graduated from Edina East High School and the University of St. Johns. An avid runner, Paul and his wife Laura own GEAR Running Store, Minnesota’s oldest running store, located in Edina's 44th & France neighborhood. Having built a successful career in retail, Paul understands the importance of community involvement. He is committed to giving back to the community and “paying it forward” by contributing a percentage of sales to various charities.
Kathleen Kane - EHS Board Member
After earning her MBA at Kellogg (Northwestern University), Kathy began her marketing career working in and with Fortune 500 companies. She is now a consultant to small and midsize companies, helping them grow their business with integrated marketing communications. Kathy spent half her childhood living in Edina, graduating from the late, great Wooddale School and Edina East High School. She spends her spare time reading, traveling and volunteering.
Bob Kojetin - EHS Board Director Emeritus
Bob has been involved with EHS since its inception in 1969. At that time, he was employed by the Village of Edina in the Parks and Recreation Department (eventually retiring after serving as Director). He is our EHS historian; able to recite the Society’s history as well as the City’s history and has personally saved or retrieved many artifacts for our collection (including the original Southdale prints from Gruen and Associates that he rescued from a Southdale dumpster)! Bob has served on many Edina boards and commissions and is well known (and loved) at City Hall and throughout the community. His contributions to the City of Edina have been honored with a park dedicated in his name – Kojetin Park on W. 44th Street. Board Member since 1969.
Bob Moore - EHS Board President
Bob is a Senior Business Project Manager in the General Counsel's Organization at Ameriprise Financial. A lifelong resident of Edina and a successful product of the Edina public school system, Bob holds a BS degree from the University of Minnesota. His interest in Edina's history is in his DNA; his grandfather was the Edina Village Recorder from 1927-1942 during the time of Edina's most expansive growth. Bob is a third generation ‘Granger’ and attends Grange meetings at the Historic 1879 Minnehaha Grange Hall. In his spare time, he continues to look for buried treasures in Edina’s history. Board Member since 2011.
Mary Pernula - EHS Board Member
Mary is a former teacher, having taught elementary education at both Wayzata public schools and Our Lady of Grace Catholic School in Edina. She has her BA as well as her Masters in Elementary Education and Teaching. Mary grew up here in Edina and remains a resident today with her husband Nick. She currently works as a Courseware Consultant for Pearson, offering educational products, services and assessments for all stages of learning. Mary will be collaborating with the EHS Staff and Interpreters to help build curriculum that aligns Edina’s history with Minnesota teaching standards.
Gretchen Sewich - EHS Board Secretary
Gretchen Sewich has spent her career in strategic account management and client engagement, currently employed with Arvig, an internet and telecommunications provider. An accomplished graduate of Edina public schools, she is a proud alumnus of Concord Elementary, Southview Junior High and Edina East High School. An active Edina Hornet hockey mom, Gretchen was involved in Edina school and hockey programs while raising her son, Patrick. She attended the University of Minnesota, adding ‘Gopher fan’ to her list of passions. She is serving as EHS Board Secretary and is focusing on the next phase of growth for the Society. When not volunteering, Gretchen enjoys exploring the history of the twin cities and supporting Golden Gopher hockey.
Juli Wunder Simmons - EHS Board Member
Juli Wunder Simmons is an Operations Specialist for Capstone Advisory Group. She has fond memories of growing up in the historic Edina Country Club district and attending Wooddale Elementary School and Edina East. Juli attended the University of Minnesota Duluth and is married to an Edina classmate, husband Kent. A lover of Edina history, Juli enjoys digging through old Edina Sun newspapers for articles to share with friends and classmates. A 55-year member of St. Stephen's church, Juli has been ringing bells for Creekside Ringers for 28 years. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and two daughters, and relaxing with her two dogs.
Jayne Becker is an educator, historian and museum consultant. She spent seventeen years working with the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) in interpretation, program development and museum management. Inspired by the stories of the past, Jayne loves creating public programs that highlight the human side of history and offer meaningful experiences for our community. Jayne received her BA degree in Theatre Art from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. An Edina resident since 2008, Jayne is excited to serve as an EHS Board Co-Treasurer and welcomes the opportunity to explore the history behind the suburb she calls home.
Bob Benson - EHS Board Co-Treasurer
Bob Benson served his country as an Airborne Infantryman and helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. After military service, he spent thirty years in the business realm before joining the FBI, serving in the Critical Incident Response Group. Bob earned his MBA at the University of Minnesota and completed a graduate program in leadership at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. A Trustee for Outward Bound School, he was involved with several community programs such as Leadership Minneapolis. He serves as EHS Board Co-Treasurer and is a founding contributor and committee member for the Edina Veterans Memorial.
Frank Cardarelle - EHS Board Director Emeritus
Frank has been involved with EHS since its inception in 1969, when he and his wife Lois became ‘pioneer members’. He is an Edina High School graduate – and a member of its first graduating class. Frank’s great grandmother moved to Edina in 1874 when Edina was still part of Richfield Township, and his family has resided here ever since. His grandchildren are 7th generation Edina residents! Chances are that if you live in Edina, your property was surveyed by Frank or his dad – their family surveying business surveyed many of the original Edina subdivisions. Frank has been an active member of the Edina Rotary since 1962. Board Member since 1969.
Kathleen Carter - EHS Board Vice President
Kathleen Carter is SVP of Business Development and Client Strategy at Archway Marketing Services. She is a proud graduate of Edina public schools and holds a BS degree in Journalism and Business Communications from St. Catherine University. A lifelong resident of Edina, she grew up in the historic Country Club District. Kathleen currently serves as the EHS Board Vice President. In her spare time, Kathleen is an avid reader, traveler, supporter of film and an ardent enthusiast of Edina’s history and traditions. She was honored as one of Minnesota Business Magazine’s 2018 Women Who Lead.
John Everett - EHS Board Member
A lifelong resident of Edina and a top-selling realtor for Edina Realty, John has a passion for this city and its history. He is an active community member who understands the important place a home serves in the lives of individuals and families. A graduate of Our Lady of Grace, Edina East High School and the University of St. Thomas, John shares his life with his wife, Mary and their three children. He is excited to serve in sharing our history and upholding our best Edina traditions.
Mark Granlund - EHS Board Member
Mark is a lifelong resident of Edina and has been a successful realtor at Edina Realty for over 20 years, specializing in the Edina market. He is passionate about preserving and sharing the history of our community. In frequent attendance at Edina City Council meetings, Mark stays abreast on all things Edina. An alum of both Wooddale and Concord and a graduate of Edina East High School and the University of Minnesota, Mark continues to support his hometown Hornets through Edina youth sports.
Paul Horan - EHS Board Member
Paul grew up in Edina where he graduated from Edina East High School and the University of St. Johns. An avid runner, Paul and his wife Laura own GEAR Running Store, Minnesota’s oldest running store, located in Edina's 44th & France neighborhood. Having built a successful career in retail, Paul understands the importance of community involvement. He is committed to giving back to the community and “paying it forward” by contributing a percentage of sales to various charities.
Kathleen Kane - EHS Board Member
After earning her MBA at Kellogg (Northwestern University), Kathy began her marketing career working in and with Fortune 500 companies. She is now a consultant to small and midsize companies, helping them grow their business with integrated marketing communications. Kathy spent half her childhood living in Edina, graduating from the late, great Wooddale School and Edina East High School. She spends her spare time reading, traveling and volunteering.
Bob Kojetin - EHS Board Director Emeritus
Bob has been involved with EHS since its inception in 1969. At that time, he was employed by the Village of Edina in the Parks and Recreation Department (eventually retiring after serving as Director). He is our EHS historian; able to recite the Society’s history as well as the City’s history and has personally saved or retrieved many artifacts for our collection (including the original Southdale prints from Gruen and Associates that he rescued from a Southdale dumpster)! Bob has served on many Edina boards and commissions and is well known (and loved) at City Hall and throughout the community. His contributions to the City of Edina have been honored with a park dedicated in his name – Kojetin Park on W. 44th Street. Board Member since 1969.
Bob Moore - EHS Board President
Bob is a Senior Business Project Manager in the General Counsel's Organization at Ameriprise Financial. A lifelong resident of Edina and a successful product of the Edina public school system, Bob holds a BS degree from the University of Minnesota. His interest in Edina's history is in his DNA; his grandfather was the Edina Village Recorder from 1927-1942 during the time of Edina's most expansive growth. Bob is a third generation ‘Granger’ and attends Grange meetings at the Historic 1879 Minnehaha Grange Hall. In his spare time, he continues to look for buried treasures in Edina’s history. Board Member since 2011.
Mary Pernula - EHS Board Member
Mary is a former teacher, having taught elementary education at both Wayzata public schools and Our Lady of Grace Catholic School in Edina. She has her BA as well as her Masters in Elementary Education and Teaching. Mary grew up here in Edina and remains a resident today with her husband Nick. She currently works as a Courseware Consultant for Pearson, offering educational products, services and assessments for all stages of learning. Mary will be collaborating with the EHS Staff and Interpreters to help build curriculum that aligns Edina’s history with Minnesota teaching standards.
Gretchen Sewich - EHS Board Secretary
Gretchen Sewich has spent her career in strategic account management and client engagement, currently employed with Arvig, an internet and telecommunications provider. An accomplished graduate of Edina public schools, she is a proud alumnus of Concord Elementary, Southview Junior High and Edina East High School. An active Edina Hornet hockey mom, Gretchen was involved in Edina school and hockey programs while raising her son, Patrick. She attended the University of Minnesota, adding ‘Gopher fan’ to her list of passions. She is serving as EHS Board Secretary and is focusing on the next phase of growth for the Society. When not volunteering, Gretchen enjoys exploring the history of the twin cities and supporting Golden Gopher hockey.
Juli Wunder Simmons - EHS Board Member
Juli Wunder Simmons is an Operations Specialist for Capstone Advisory Group. She has fond memories of growing up in the historic Edina Country Club district and attending Wooddale Elementary School and Edina East. Juli attended the University of Minnesota Duluth and is married to an Edina classmate, husband Kent. A lover of Edina history, Juli enjoys digging through old Edina Sun newspapers for articles to share with friends and classmates. A 55-year member of St. Stephen's church, Juli has been ringing bells for Creekside Ringers for 28 years. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and two daughters, and relaxing with her two dogs.
Nicole Gorman - City of Edina Park and Recreation Liaison
Nicole is a Recreation Supervisor for the City of Edina and is the City’s liaison on the EHS Board, serving as the City of Edina Park and Rec Liaison. She holds a M.Ed. degree in Parks and Recreation Administration from the University of Minnesota and has been in the field of aging for 15 years. In addition to her duties with the City of Edina and EHS Board, Nicole serves as treasurer for the Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
Nicole is a Recreation Supervisor for the City of Edina and is the City’s liaison on the EHS Board, serving as the City of Edina Park and Rec Liaison. She holds a M.Ed. degree in Parks and Recreation Administration from the University of Minnesota and has been in the field of aging for 15 years. In addition to her duties with the City of Edina and EHS Board, Nicole serves as treasurer for the Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
Join the Board
If you are interested in serving on the board, please contact museum staff at 612-928-4577.
Board members are active committee members, working on programs, exhibits, building care and other projects. We are looking for community members to serve in leadership positions with the Edina Historical Society. If you are interested in serving, please contact staff or any board member for more information.
Board members are active committee members, working on programs, exhibits, building care and other projects. We are looking for community members to serve in leadership positions with the Edina Historical Society. If you are interested in serving, please contact staff or any board member for more information.
