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 third 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
Paul Horan
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.
Jon Keljik
Jon grew up in South Minneapolis and has fond memories of trips to Southdale, the Galleria, and Centennial Lakes. He has a BA in history from the University of Minnesota and a PhD in American history from George Washington University. He lived in Washington, D.C. for more than 10 years before returning to Minnesota. He is a history teacher at a local independent high school, and teaches history courses online for various area community colleges. He's happy to be part of the Edina Historical Society and enjoys sharing the amazing history of Edina with the wider community.
Mary Pernula - Secretary
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.
Dan Rooney
Dan has lived in Edina for over 25 years with his wife, Susan, and their three children. His company, McRooney Entertainment, designed educational programming for Minnesota elementary schools with topics such as anti-bullying, respect, empathy, and leadership. Dan has also worked for Wells Fargo History Museums, where he designed public programming and managed museums in Anchorage, Portland, Phoenix, Des Moines, and Minneapolis. He was the Public Programs Manager for the Hennepin History Museum and has given tours for Minnesota Historical Society’s Mill City Museum and James J. Hill House since 2003. Dan is also an actor and public speaker, having appeared at theatres such as Old Log, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, and Dudley Riggs’ Brave New Workshop. Dan is thrilled to be part of a team that brings the history of this wonderful community to life.
Bill Sedoff – Treasurer
Bill and his family moved to Edina when he was 10 years old. He attended Concord Elementary, South View Junior High and Edina East High School, and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and the College of St. Thomas. Bill spent much of his career at Target in various roles in Accounting, Audit, Supply Chain, IT and Technology Acquisition and is currently a Global Director of Procurement for Ecolab. Bill and his wife Maggie have two children in college and enjoy golf, travel, and time with family and friends. He is looking forward to giving back to the community in which he grew up.
Sarah (Busch) Solsvig - President
Sarah grew up in a family committed to Edina history. Her father, Edina High School teacher Dick Busch, excavated the Edina Mill, and she wrote and edited "About Town" in the early 1990s. Sarah was born and raised in what is referred to as the historic "Leerskov House" on Curve Avenue in Morningside. The home, known for its impressive 3rd floor palladian windows and arts and crafts interior, instilled in her a love of historic houses. Sarah attended Morningside and Wooddale Schools and is a graduate of Edina High School and the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. A former public relations executive specializing in non-profit media relations and special events publicity, she has been awarded the Public Relations Society of America Silver Anvil, International Association of Business Communicators Silver Quill, and Publicity Club of Chicago Silver Trumpet for her work. After living out of state for more than 20 years, Sarah and her family recently moved back to Edina.
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.
Jon Keljik
Jon grew up in South Minneapolis and has fond memories of trips to Southdale, the Galleria, and Centennial Lakes. He has a BA in history from the University of Minnesota and a PhD in American history from George Washington University. He lived in Washington, D.C. for more than 10 years before returning to Minnesota. He is a history teacher at a local independent high school, and teaches history courses online for various area community colleges. He's happy to be part of the Edina Historical Society and enjoys sharing the amazing history of Edina with the wider community.
Mary Pernula - Secretary
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.
Dan Rooney
Dan has lived in Edina for over 25 years with his wife, Susan, and their three children. His company, McRooney Entertainment, designed educational programming for Minnesota elementary schools with topics such as anti-bullying, respect, empathy, and leadership. Dan has also worked for Wells Fargo History Museums, where he designed public programming and managed museums in Anchorage, Portland, Phoenix, Des Moines, and Minneapolis. He was the Public Programs Manager for the Hennepin History Museum and has given tours for Minnesota Historical Society’s Mill City Museum and James J. Hill House since 2003. Dan is also an actor and public speaker, having appeared at theatres such as Old Log, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, and Dudley Riggs’ Brave New Workshop. Dan is thrilled to be part of a team that brings the history of this wonderful community to life.
Bill Sedoff – Treasurer
Bill and his family moved to Edina when he was 10 years old. He attended Concord Elementary, South View Junior High and Edina East High School, and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and the College of St. Thomas. Bill spent much of his career at Target in various roles in Accounting, Audit, Supply Chain, IT and Technology Acquisition and is currently a Global Director of Procurement for Ecolab. Bill and his wife Maggie have two children in college and enjoy golf, travel, and time with family and friends. He is looking forward to giving back to the community in which he grew up.
Sarah (Busch) Solsvig - President
Sarah grew up in a family committed to Edina history. Her father, Edina High School teacher Dick Busch, excavated the Edina Mill, and she wrote and edited "About Town" in the early 1990s. Sarah was born and raised in what is referred to as the historic "Leerskov House" on Curve Avenue in Morningside. The home, known for its impressive 3rd floor palladian windows and arts and crafts interior, instilled in her a love of historic houses. Sarah attended Morningside and Wooddale Schools and is a graduate of Edina High School and the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. A former public relations executive specializing in non-profit media relations and special events publicity, she has been awarded the Public Relations Society of America Silver Anvil, International Association of Business Communicators Silver Quill, and Publicity Club of Chicago Silver Trumpet for her work. After living out of state for more than 20 years, Sarah and her family recently moved back to Edina.
Nicole Gorman - City of Edina 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.
Emeritus Directors
Bob Kojetin
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 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.
Interested in Joining our Board?
EHS has an active board and board members are required to serve as engaged committee members, working on programs, exhibits, membership, sponsorships, fundraising and other projects. There are eleven board positions and board members are elected to serve a three-year term. We are looking for community members to serve in leadership positions with the Edina Historical Society.
If you are interested in learning more about serving on our board, please contact our Executive Director at 612-928-4577 or any board member for more information.
If you are interested in learning more about serving on our board, please contact our Executive Director at 612-928-4577 or any board member for more information.
