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
Frank Cardarelle - 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 and an EHS Board member since 1969.
Kathleen Carter – Director
Kathleen is the 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. 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.
Allison Duggan – Director
Allie is a life-long resident of Edina whose interest in local history was sparked early when she began to learn about her own family history and their deep-rooted connection to the area. Allie’s ancestors immigrated from Ireland and were early settlers in this area. A 6th generation resident, she has lived on a portion of the old family farm land all her life. After graduation from Edina High School in 2014, Allie received a degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Dakota. In her spare time she enjoys being outside, doing puzzles and spending time with family and friends. She is looking forward to expanding and sharing her knowledge about our community as a member of the Edina Historical Society.
John Everett - Director
John is 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.
John Flynn - Vice President
A 40-year resident of Edina, John attended Morningside Elementary, Wooddale Elementary, Concord Elementary, South View Junior High and Edina High School. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and the Medical Institute of Minnesota and currently works as a paraprofessional. John is passionate about education and has a particular interest in the early history of Morningside, 50th & France and the old streetcar lines. In his spare time, he enjoys research, working out and watching golf.
Mark Granlund - Director
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 - Director
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.
Bob Kojetin - 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 - Director
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 - 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.
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.
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 and an EHS Board member since 1969.
Kathleen Carter – Director
Kathleen is the 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. 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.
Allison Duggan – Director
Allie is a life-long resident of Edina whose interest in local history was sparked early when she began to learn about her own family history and their deep-rooted connection to the area. Allie’s ancestors immigrated from Ireland and were early settlers in this area. A 6th generation resident, she has lived on a portion of the old family farm land all her life. After graduation from Edina High School in 2014, Allie received a degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Dakota. In her spare time she enjoys being outside, doing puzzles and spending time with family and friends. She is looking forward to expanding and sharing her knowledge about our community as a member of the Edina Historical Society.
John Everett - Director
John is 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.
John Flynn - Vice President
A 40-year resident of Edina, John attended Morningside Elementary, Wooddale Elementary, Concord Elementary, South View Junior High and Edina High School. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and the Medical Institute of Minnesota and currently works as a paraprofessional. John is passionate about education and has a particular interest in the early history of Morningside, 50th & France and the old streetcar lines. In his spare time, he enjoys research, working out and watching golf.
Mark Granlund - Director
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 - Director
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.
Bob Kojetin - 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 - Director
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 - 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.
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.
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.
