Board of Directors

Gary Adler

Founder / Managing Partner
Adler Law, PLLC
Reston, VA

Gary Adler is the Founder and Managing Partner of Adler Law, PLLC (www.adlerlawpllc.com). Gary acts as general counsel to various corporations, partnerships, trade associations, and the Jim’s Team 4 Diabetes Foundation. In his capacity as general counsel, Gary advises clients on a wide range of issues including structuring organizations, handling business transactions and negotiating contracts. Gary has been involved in the sports industry for over three decades. He worked for the National Football League Players Association (“NFLPA”) during law school and since then has represented professional football, baseball and boxing athletes and management in negotiations, corporate matters and litigation. Gary is also well-versed in the legal issues of the secondary ticketing market and serves as general counsel to the National Association of Ticket Brokers. Another focus of his practice is with complex litigation matters and has experience in a broad range of civil litigation at both the trial court and appellate levels. Additionally, Gary has been named a "Washington DC Super Lawyer" by Washington DC Super Lawyers each year since 2012.

DR. SCOTT BOYENS

Family Medicine Physician
Sanford Health
Sioux Falls, SD

Dr. Scott Boyens has been practicing Family Medicine at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, SD since 1998 and thoroughly enjoys helping hundreds of patients manage their diabetes diagnosis. “I am looking forward to working with Jim Loria on this new Foundation and excited to see how it can assist patients in need that can now gain access to the most up-to-date tools in the diabetes care toolbox.” Scott currently serves as the primary care team physician for Augustana University in Sioux Falls, and keeps busy with leadership activities in his health system and with both the national and South Dakota state Family Medicine organizations. He also enjoys spending time with his wife, Beth, and 4 kids, as well as officiating high school football.

LACEY FREDERICK

Director of Marketing Services

Playfly Premier Partnerships

Santa Monica, CA

Lacey Frederick is the Director of Marketing Services for Playfly Premier Partnerships where she provides sales strategy for the organization’s sponsorship sales representation for marquee partnerships across the sports and entertainment landscape, ranging from venue naming rights, jersey/kit partnerships, title sponsorships and other high-profile sponsorship platforms.

A University of Wisconsin–La Crosse graduate with honors and College of Liberal Studies Excellence Award recipient, she found her passion for the sports industry through an internship with Total Sports Entertainment and the La Crosse Loggers Baseball team during her junior year of studies. Post college, Frederick moved to Sioux Falls, SD, where she met Jim Loria and worked under him assisting with sponsorship activation and running the in-game promotions for the Sioux Falls Stampede hockey club and Sioux Falls Canaries baseball team for three years. She credits her early development and “making it to the big leagues” from the mentorship and guidance Jim provided her.

In 2013 Frederick returned to her home state to work for the Green Bay Packers in their marketing department as a Fan Engagement Specialist where she spent the next four years. In 2017, she began working with Learfield-IMG College in Dallas, TX as an Integrated Marketing Manager. After two years she returned to the team side and joined the Dallas Mavericks as the Director of Partnership Marketing & Development where she led the Partnership Marketing sector of the sponsorship team and worked closely with the sales executives to strategize and craft proposals for new business, while also managing the activation of the team’s jersey patch partner. In 2022, Frederick moved to Los Angeles to join Playfly Premier Partnerships, where she resides today.

Besides a passion for sports (and animals…especially her dog, Bodie), she is also very passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as giving back to the community. Some of her favorite partnerships and activations she has been a part of include community work. Frederick is proud to serve as a board member on Jim’s Team 4 Diabetes Foundation and believes making a difference can start as small as one person at a time.

JEFF GAU

Chairman
Marco Technologies LLC
St. Cloud, MN

Jeff joined the U.S. Air Force out of high school, where he received a series of prestigious promotions. Afterward, he graduated from the University of North Dakota in three years and immediately took his charismatic leadership and relentless work ethic to his first sales position at Marco.

Since taking the helm at Marco, Jeff has led the company through aggressive growth and opportunities. He transformed what started as a small typewriter dealer in 1973 into a rapidly growing technology company with offices throughout the Midwest. He believes in high performance, sustaining a fun workplace and keeping score.

If Jeff could choose a super power, he would read minds. It would make the many negotiations he gets involved in much easier. However, Jeff is naturally attuned to others and wisely executes on decisions. Known for his friendly personality, he feels inspired by building a great place to work, supporting company growth and delivering client satisfaction.

Jeff was named a Most Admired CEO by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal in 2016 and recognized as an EY (Ernst & Young) Entrepreneur of the Year for the Upper Midwest in 2015. He was even named one of the 100 People to Know by Twin Cities Business Magazine in 2017. So does he have trophies? You bet!

Fun facts about Jeff? He likes working out, family time, golf, traveling, and classic Mustangs—the 0 to 60 in a blink kind.

In the book Looking Out for #2, author Bruce Miles writes: “Spend some time with Jeff and it’s clear that Jeff has a presence about him. His spirit is engaging and his leadership is inspiring. He’s honest, genuine and not afraid to expose his faults. When he walks into a meeting, people notice. But it’s not because he holds the title of CEO. It’s because he knows how to listen, quickly build consensus and, when needed, make the hard decisions.”

LONI JACOBSEN

Marketing & Communications Professional
St. Cloud, MN

For more than 15 years, Loni has demonstrated her leadership within marketing, communications and community involvement. She met Jim Loria while serving as Director of Marketing at Marco Technologies. In addition, she served with Jim on the St. Cloud Rox Project S.A.V.E. Foundation advisory board for three years, alongside other community members. Loni also has a personal passion for advocating for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, and helped raise nearly $28K for that cause as co-chair for a fundraising game night at the St. Cloud Rox. She also spends time volunteering for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Loni has always had a personal passion for supporting non-profit organizations in our area, especially those that directly help our neighbors. Loni is looking forward to professionally contributing her marketing knowledge to Jim’s Team 4 Diabetes, by serving on the board.

ROBERT M. LARSON, MD

Pediatric Endocrinologist
Mankato Clinic/Diabetes Care Center
Mankato, MN

I am a Pediatric Endocrinologist in practice for 40-plus years. My endocrine specialty grew into a focus in Diabetes care. With the advancements of new technologies in insulin management including the use of continuous glucose monitoring and integration with insulin pumps, the improvements in Diabetes management have been profound and life changing but there are many economic, emotional and social barriers that exist that are a source of ongoing frustration. I am a founder and board president of Camp Sweet Life in Maple Lake, MN (which is a summer camp developed in 2010 for children living with Type 1 Diabetes). Our mission is to connect, empower and transform the lives of kids with T1D. I have greatly enjoyed getting to know Jim Loria and I share his passion and commitment to achieve these similar goals. I look forward to joining Jim‘s Team to help achieve these goals and improve the lives of kids and their families who struggle with the challenges associated with living with Type 1 Diabetes.

LILY LEVINE

Director of Partner Solutions
SPORTFIVE
New York, NY

Lily Levine is a sports marketing professional based in New York City. She leads the U.S. marketing efforts as the Director of Partner Solutions at SPORTFIVE, one of the largest global sports marketing and sponsorship organizations with a network of locations and affiliated companies. When she is not developing campaign solutions for brands and rights-holders, she enjoys exploring the city, running in Central Park, and experiencing different cultures. “I am very honored to be a board member for the Jim's Team 4 Diabetes Foundation and thankful to be a part of such a worthy cause. Jim has been such an incredible, supportive mentor, and friend to me for well over a decade.”

WENDY LORIA

Administrative Assistant to Patient Care Director
The Mother Baby Center
Allina Health/Abbott Northwestern Hospital
Minneapolis, MN

Wendy first met Jim in person 40 years ago on February 13, 1982 after several months of long distance correspondence which included many handwritten letters, dozens of Hallmark cards exchanged, and some very expensive long distance phone calls. They were married in June, 1982 after which Wendy chose to forgo working outside the home and devoted her years ahead raising their three daughters: Jaimee, Cali, and Nikki. During that time, Wendy spent her free time volunteering at hospitals and at schools where the kids attended class. She would actually become a substitute teacher during one of the family moves to Raleigh, NC back in 1997. Wendy also rolled up her sleeves to "help Jim out" part time when he first began building the business operations for the Sioux Falls Stampede hockey franchise in 1998 before going to work full-time at the local hospitals – which brought Wendy back to her roots where she had worked in a healthcare setting in Minneapolis throughout high school and college.

When the Loria's made their final move to Minnesota in 2018 to be close by to family, Wendy went to work as an administrative assistant at Allina Health in The Mother Baby Center where she works full-time supporting the Patient Care Director and their entire Leadership Team. Wendy will tell you that while Jim's diabetes diagnosis came as a bit of a shock at first, she quickly embraced this new "normal" by stepping back into her "stay-at-home" mom role of planning and cooking meals each and every night albeit just for the two of them. She is eager to see Jim's Foundation take shape and to watch another of Jim's dreams of helping others come true. "I am so proud of my husband. I cannot imagine my life without him and I hope everyone who crosses paths with him realizes just how lucky they are to have met him. This foundation is typical of him. Rather than fret about this major health change in his life, he has chosen to use it to make a difference and leave a lasting legacy."

JOEL PAUL

President/Sauk Rapids-Rice Youth Baseball
Sauk Rapids, MN

I am the proud father of two amazing kids - Landon (9) and Lilah (7) and married my best friend Martina in 2006. I’m from Sauk Rapids, MN and have been here my whole life. I work in construction with my Dad and brother and couldn’t ask for a better job! I absolutely love sports and am lucky enough to be able to coach my kids and their friends for numerous activities. I was diagnosed with diabetes at age 10 and experienced many highs and lows with that. At age 20, I received a pancreas transplant that lasted a little over a year before rejecting. I was blessed enough to receive another transplant in 2005 and still have that organ working for me. I no longer have diabetes because of that gift. My greatest joy in life is making others happy! I feel the most proud and satisfied when I can make others around me feel better about themselves or teach them a new skill. The excitement of accomplishment on their face is the most satisfying thing in the world to me!

PAULA REDEMSKE

Manager, CentraCare
Diabetes Program
St. Cloud, MN

Paula Redemske is the Manager of CentraCare’s Diabetes Program which includes 17 area locations spread throughout Central Minnesota. I feel that expanding Diabetes care and reaching the needs of those with Diabetes needs to be a priority in our healthcare today and its one of the reasons I am excited to have a role with Jim’s Team Foundation. As a registered dietitian, I have been working with patients with Diabetes for nearly 40 years.

KIMBERLY SHOBERG

Communications Engagement Specialist
Blattner Energy
Avon, MN

Kimberly serves as the Communications Engagement Specialist at Blattner Energy, a Central Minnesota based corporation considered an industry-leading renewable energy EPC contractor. She brings a love for organizational culture, developing processes, and helping people grow in her workplace. With a passion for community and helping others, Kimberly supports and serves many nonprofit organizations in her home state including Jim’s Team 4 Diabetes Foundation. She has a background in communications and education.

WES STANKOVEN

BC Hydro
Kamloops, BC Canada

Wes Stankoven has worked in customer service since 1993 at BC Hydro, a Canadian electric utility that serves the province of British Columbia. He and his wife, Deana, have been married since 1998 and are raising two children: son, Logan, 18, a Dallas Stars NHL Draft selection in 2021, who plays for the Kamloops Blazers in the Western (Canada Junior) Hockey League; and daughter, Macie. 14, who plays for the local Kamloops u15 female hockey team. In his private time, Wes has enjoyed coaching both of his kids and giving back to the community. My belief in maintaining a healthy lifestyle through sports activities and maintaining a work/life balance is of fundamental importance to me. Over the past few years, I have gotten to know Jim Loria through his weekly mentoring messages he sends Logan and I that feature words of encouragement, motivation, commitment, and about believing in yourself. Jim has meant a lot to our family. When he reached out to me to be part of his new foundation, there was no hesitation to step up and give back and be supportive as my Mom was diagnosed with diabetes in her later years of life as well. I am so happy to be able to be part of Jim’s Team and helping when and where I can with this great opportunity.

DAN STOLTZ

President & Chief Executive Officer
SPIRE Credit Union
Minnesota & Wisconsin

Stoltz is celebrating 38 years of marriage to his wife Robin with three married children and eleven grandchildren. His family is the cornerstone and support system that allows him to pursue his community endeavors. Stoltz also loves to golf and travel. His undergraduate degree is from University of Northwestern—St. Paul, his MBA is from the University of St Thomas, and he has his CPA from the state of Minnesota.

Stoltz defines a truly successful leader simply as a person who is a go-getter and go-giver and continues to be challenged by the meaning and goal of being a net-giver.

About SPIRE Credit Union

154,000+ Members/Customers
22 Branch Locations
Over $2.1 Billion in Assets
BBB of Minnesota and North Dakota’s®
2016-17 Torch Award for Ethics
Forbes 2022 Best-in-State Credit Union

Honors

2015 Outstanding Professional of the Year by the Minnesota Credit Union Network
2016 Spurgeon Leadership Award for service as an outstanding role model for youth by Northern Star Scouting
2017 Executive of the Year for leadership development in area high schools by DECA
2018 Community Builder Award for outstanding volunteer leadership and long-term concern for the community by The Boy Scouts of America
2018 Regional Finalist for the Ernst Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
2018 and 2019 ranking of “The 500 Most Powerful Business Leaders in Minnesota”
2018 North Suburban Gavel Association’s Distinguished Leadership Award
2019 H.E.R.B.I.E. award by the St Paul Chamber of Commerce. Named after hockey coach, Herb Brooks, it is an acronym with the following attributes: Humanitarian, Enterprising, Resilient, Bold, Inspirational, and Ethical.
2020 Most Admired CEOs by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
2020 Pain Free Patriots Community Service Hero Award
2020 Salvation Army Red Kettle Community Chair
2021 Cooperative Builder Award
2022 Head Coach—Dunkers Leadership Group
2022 Credit Union Times Executive Leadership Luminary Finalist
2022 AARP 50 Over 50 Honoree—Growth Giver

Service

King Boreas 79 of the 2015 St. Paul Winter Carnival
2016-2017 Minneapolis Aquatennial Commodore
Made over 800 public appearances as King Boreas and Aquatennial Commodore
Frequent speaker on Leadership, Positivity, Work Culture, Branding and Giving Back

Leadership

CURRENT

Alloya Corporate (Chicago) Board
Eagle Brook Church Board
Friends of the St. Paul Library Board
Minnesota Credit Union Network Board
Ordway Board
Regions Hospital Foundation
St. Paul Area Chamber Board
St. Paul Police Foundation

RECENT PAST

Circle Pines & Lino Lakes City Council
Cooperative Foundation Board
Cooperative Network Board
Keep On Pushing Foundation Board
Minnesota Credit Union Service Corporation Board
Presbyterian Homes Board
University of Minnesota Bell Museum Community Compass Advisory Member
University of Northwestern-St. Paul Board

TOM STRITECKY

Chief Executive Officer & President
Waterbury Heating, Plumbing & Electrical
Sioux Falls, SD

Tom is a South Dakota native, graduate of Mitchell Institute of Technology, became an HVAC field technician, and over time, purchased Waterbury Heating. He grew the company from four employees to its current level of 80 team members. Tom is passionate about helping others and shares his passion through community involvement, both formal and informal. Tom is a past member/officer of the Sioux Falls Jaycees, the SD Jaycees, and Sioux Falls Sertoma Club. He currently sits on the board of the Stritecky Family Foundation, Bishop Hospitality House, CASA (a Sioux Falls Area Court Appointed Special Advocate Program), and Promising Futures. Tom resides in Sioux Falls with his wife, Becky, and has two daughters: Alexa (Minneapolis, MN) and Anna (Georgetown University in Washington, DC).

JERRY WALKER

Team Archivist
San Francisco 49ers Football Club
Santa Clara, CA

Former San Francisco 49ers Public Relations Director and current Team Archivist, Jerry Walker, has worked for the Niners for 25 years. And during that span, he has worn many hats, from helping create the team’s 20,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art 49ers Museum and Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. Hall of Fame in Levi’s Stadium that celebrates the club’s amazing history and winning tradition to serving as co-host and contributor of the Hooked On The Niners in-season weekly TV show. Jerry is also CEO of Walker Enterprises (a sports marketing & sports promotions firm) and owner of Signature FUN-Raising (a company that supplies sports and entertainment memorabilia to charities on consignment for live & silent auctions, raffles and other fundraising efforts). In all, Jerry has nearly 60 years of sports writing, public relations and fundraising experience to go with 12 years in college athletic administration with LSU, San Jose State, University of New Orleans, Miami of Ohio & Lorain County Community College and, had worked as an NFL Instant Replay Communicator for 13 seasons. As part of the Niners public relations efforts for 13 seasons (through four Super Bowls and four international American Bowl games from 1981-93), Jerry served on several NFL Super Bowl staffs before returning to the Niners in 2011 as the Team Archivist.

KAYLA WENNER

Diabetes Educator
Allina Health / Minnesota

I am a Diabetes Educator working in an outpatient clinic with adults in the cities of Buffalo and Coon Rapids, Minnesota. I was first introduced to the world of Diabetes by working as a dietitian at the American Diabetes Association Camp Needlepoint and Camp Sioux. I am excited to be a part a Foundation such as Jim’s Team that will provide assistance to those with Diabetes especially after seeing the day-to-day struggles I see so many people face with this disease. In my off time, I am an avid reader, a Golden Retriever mom, and I love spending time at the gym.