About Us
We serve community members interested in being a part of the entrepreneurial community focused on startups, technology, and innovation, along with those interested in learning about it.
We believe that in order to have a healthy entrepreneurial community, we need a healthy ecosystem of connected resources. This community consists of entrepreneurs, investors, government, universities, students, service providers, large corporations, etc. These participants, working together with shared passion, are vital to the success of an entrepreneurial community.
Why we build Emerging Prairie
Our goal is to accelerate the growth and development of our communities so the region can create, attract and grow the businesses today that will create its tomorrow. Emerging Prairie is a resource that provides:
A platform to share knowledge, success and experiences
The pulse of the region’s entrepreneurial activity
A network of passionate individuals shaping the region’s future
Our Team
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DR. WILLIAM ADERHOLDT
Co-Founder and Executive Director of Grand Farm
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BLAINE BOOHER
Program Director of Emerging Digital Academy
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SYDNEY BRUSSEAU
Experiences + Events Manager
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KATIE BURINGTON
Emerging Digital Academy Life Cycle Manager
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LIZ CAMPBELL
Director of Experiences & Events
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BRIAN CARROLL
Chief Innovation Officer,
Grand Farm Co-Founder
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KAYTLYN COBB
Grand Farm Regional Assistant Director - UGA Grand Farm
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KYLE GLANDER
Accounting Manager
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ANDREW JASON
Grand Farm Ecosystem Director
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DR. KIRA KNUTSON
Grants Coordinator
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TAYLOR LEE
Grand Farm Experiences + Events Intern
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JOHN MANN
Grand Farm Program Manager of Startup Ecosystem
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NATHAN MARCOTTE
Grand Farm Senior Program Manager of Innovation Technology
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HAILEE MEINERS
Grand Farm Field Technician
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DREW MURRAY
Grand Farm Field Technician
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LISA MISTIC
Grants Manager
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ANN NOBRIGA
Grand Farm Senior Program Manager of Field Operations
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CARLY PFENNIG
Marketing & Communications Intern
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ASHLYN SCHAUER
Marketing & Communications Specialist
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JADA SCHWINDT
Experiences & Events Coordinator
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KATIE SEVERSON
Chief Financial Officer
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MADI SIMPSON
Assistant Marketing Director for Grand Farm
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MADISON STONE
Experiences & Events Coordinator
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GREG TEHVEN
Chief Executive Officer & Co-founder
Board Member
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STETSON URLACHER
Grand Farm Grower Program Coordinator
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DAVID VINSON
Emerging Digital Academy Student & Technical Support Specialist
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MATT WENDEL
Chief of Staff
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KYLE WHITCRAFT
Grand Farm Director of Program Management Office
Our Board Members
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KODEE FURST
BOARD CHAIR
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MIKE DERHEIM
BOARD SECRETARY
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JONATHAN WARREY
BOARD TREASURER
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BYRON SNIDER
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HOWARD DAHL
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HEIDI HEITKAMP
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MARY SNAPP
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