Our Board

Paul Thomas

About PT

Interim Executive Director:

Morning show personality, marketing consultant, and event promoter, Paul Thomas (aka “PT”) is involved with a wide variety of organizations around the Twin Cities. His current role is morning show host for Entercom station The WOLF 102.9.
His passion for giving back to the community is evident in his 10 years of volunteer work as a youth hockey coach and his emcee work for various other charitable causes. He is also the founder of the LIVIN Foundation for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

Bob Keseley

About Bob

Shannon Hoheisel

About Shannon

Director of Sponsorships:

Shannon is an experienced business developer and strategist, specializing in partnership building and team leading. With over 20 years of Marketing and Sales Management within the media, event and entertainment industries, she has a deep understanding of Radio, Event, TV, Social & Digital Advertising. She spent many years in radio, including her role as Director of Live Events for Entercom Minneapolis (now Audacy) where she oversaw all station events, concerts, and strategic event partnerships. She currently works in the outdoor media industry, does consulting and serves as Director of the LIVIN Music Festival. Shannon holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Operations.

Besides events and music, Shannon’s passions include her travels across the globe, camping with friends and family, and most importantly being a mom to two active kids, Skyler and Madelynn, that keep her on the run every day and cheering from the sidelines.

Shannon has a passion for music and helping cultivate opportunities and relationships to help local artists, organizations and partners all advance and succeed as one local Midwest music community.

Eric Salisbury

About Eric

Director of Artist Member Acquisition:

Eric Salisbury serves as Midwest CMO Director Of Artist Acquistion, with responsibilities including refining our artist member value propositions and recruiting new members. Onstage, Eric is a drummer. Eric’s primary musical role is as drummer/manager for the Ramble. Eric also manages pick-up classic country group The Cock-a-Doodle Dudes, writes and plays with Americana/folk rock group The Also-Rans, and backs country historian Nate Gibson in Nate Gibson & The Stardazers. Offstage, Eric is a Vice President & Managing Group Leader at the University of Wisconsin Foundation & Alumni Association (WFAA), the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s fundraising and alumni engagement arm. Prior to his 15 years at WFAA, Eric held positions as Vice President at Overture Center for the Arts (Madison, WI). Managing Director of Jubilee Theater (Fort Worth, TX), and Executive Director of the Madison Youth Choirs. Eric also sits on the board of the Evjue Foundation (Madison, WI). Eric has two high school aged children and is married to Emma (Membership Director at PBS Wisconsin).

Tanya Turner

About Tanya

Director of Business Member Acquisition:

Tanya brings deep experience identifying, negotiating, launching and managing new products, programs, business units and successful partner relationships with a strong emphasis on affluent customer acquisition, loyalty and retention strategies. She held executive management positions with Fortune 50 companies in the Airline, Travel & Hospitality, Finserv and Telco categories prior to starting her entrepreneurial journey with Karma & Co – curating bespoke “bucket list” experiences for ultra-HNW clientele. Tanya is a consummate marketer with an entrepreneurial spirit, and fully enjoys contributing as both a board member and volunteer for various non-profit organizations nationwide.

Ryan Pilgrim

About Bob

Nikki Muhlbauer

About Nikki

Director of Membership:

Nikki Muhlbauer is a dynamic professional with a passion for customer service and hospitality. Currently serving as a Customer Relations Manager in the service industry, Nikki excels in building strong relationships and delivering exceptional experiences. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellence, Nikki has established a reputation for going above and beyond to meet the needs of clients and customers.

In addition to her role in customer relations, Nikki is set to embark on an exciting new journey as the Director of Membership at The 501c3, Midwest Country Music Organization. In this position, she will bring her expertise in relationship management and her dedication to service to help grow and support the organization’s membership base.

She can be reached at nikki@midwestcountrymusic.org

Bernie Merrill

About Bernie

Director of Website:

Bernie is the owner and general manager of KLGA & KLGZ Radio in Algona, Iowa. She began her broadcast career at age 16 and has experience in sales, on-air, engineering, and management.

Bernie graduated from the Radio Advertising Bureau “Rising Through the Ranks” Management course in 2014. And the National Association of Broadcasters “Broadcast Leadership Training” in 2022.

In addition to running the radio stations, she volunteers as a broadcast ambassador for the National Association of Broadcasters. She is on the board of directors of the Iowa Broadcasters Association and the Iowa Broadcasters Association Foundation. She also volunteers with several Algona area organizations including the Chamber of Commerce Board, Community College Advisory boards and is her son’s high school music boosters serving as the marching band uniform coordinator.

Bernie and her husband Gary are parents to Alison (David), Ryan & Joey.

Volunteers

Christine Passig

About Christine

Matt Cave

About Matt

Tim Mapel

About Tim

Advisory Board

Arnie Andrews

Program Director / Ops Manager WCOW COW97

Ron Backer

Ken Lacy

General Manager, Lakes Jam

Michelle Westberg

Advertising Brand Project Coordinator, Treasure Island Resort & Casino

Neil Freeman

Group Manager, BOB FM

Owen Schultz

About Owen

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