Sons of Norway Leadership
Pictured from left to right: Claudia Berg, Per Mikalsen, Luella Grangaard, Kathy Dollymore, Former International Vice Chair Mark Agerter, Ron Stubbings, Mary B. Andersen, Robin Fossum, Duane Kittleson, Dennis Rusinko, Chris Hicks, Dean Stiller.
Not pictured: Erik Brochmann
Executive Committee
Ron Stubbings, International Chair
Mr. Stubbings has in-depth experience managing and providing leadership in the sophisticated export grain industry for the second largest grain terminal in the Port of Vancouver, Canada (owned by Cargill). Using his technical skills and depth in safety programming, he helped initiate a program that resulted in record days of no injuries or time lost. He led efforts to build trust between unionized and nonunionized staff to also achieve record sales goals and earnings while maintaining a safe working environment. Ron also served as the chair of the Project Building Committee responsible for the $13M rebuild of the Normanna Care Home, a state of the art 100-bed multi level-care home and is the current president of the board of directors of the Home.
In 1999, Ron was made an Officer of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, Knight 1st Class by King Harald for his contributions to the Norwegian Community in the Vancouver area.
Ron Stubbings
International Chair
Chris Hicks, Acting International Vice Chair
Ms. Hicks has enjoyed a long and dedicated career in the medical field as a quality assurance professional with Phillips Healthcare. Her experience with process and improvement and handling of complaint processing has been leveraged across multiple departments. She has served as a subject matter expert for audits of complaint files and creating or improving processes for customer satisfaction. Chris has a depth in creating training programs for various staff to ensure quality control across the organization. She has also held the position of Director for Camp Normanna, managing registration, budgeting and programming for the youth camps.
Chris completed her education at Inglemoor High School in Bothell, WA
Chris Hicks
Acting International Vice Chair
Mary B. Andersen, International Treasurer
Ms. Andersen’s dynamic leadership in the employee benefits industry spans three decades across multiple disciplines including consulting, business strategy, financial performance, risk management, legal and accounting. She served as President of ERISAdiagnostics, Inc., an employee benefits consulting firm specializing in compliance, consulting and special projects. Prior to that role she was a principal for Vanguard, a leading mutual fund company. Mary currently serves on the Board of Directors of Sons of Norway as Treasurer and is Chair of its finance and audit committees. While leading teams of actuaries and attorneys, she has learned how to effectively work with others and position teams for success. As a leader in District Three Mary has served in many leadership roles including District President, Vice-President, Publicity Director and Counselor. As District President, Mary served as President of the District President’s Council and was a member of the governance and leadership committee.
She received her B.S. in Mathematics from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI
Mary B. Andersen
International Treasurer
Robin Fossum, International Secretary
Ms. Fossum brings to her board role years of leadership experience in the non-profit sector. During her career she worked as a major gifts officer for the University of Illinois Foundation, responsible for major giving campaigns resulting in over $2.6 billion dollars of funds for the foundation. Robin worked personally with major gift donors and advised them on estate planning, charitable gift annuities, retirement planning including life insurance, real estate, tangible property and cash. She also served as the president and secretary for the University of Illinois Spurlock Museum Board of Trustees. In this role she was part of the team that raised funds to build a $18M museum, while guiding the board through many growth-related challenges.
She currently serves as Secretary of the International Board and is a member of the Corporate Matters Committee. Robin is a Governor of the Sons of Norway Foundation and chair of the Development Committee. She received her B.A. degree from Roosevelt University, Chicago, Illinois.
Robin Fossum
International Secretary
International Directors
Dennis Rusinko, District 1 Director
Mr. Rusinko is a successful business owner who handles all day-to-day functions to ensure his business is solvent and in good standing. Prior to establishing his business, he taught drafting at the Architectural Drafting School of Fort Belvoir, Virginia., where he also attended.
Dennis served as a squad leader in basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, part of the 1st Signal Brigade responsible for all communications systems in Southeast Asia. He has also leveraged his leadership skills in multiple lodge and district positions for District One with Sons of Norway.
Dennis received his degree from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and attended the Minneapolis School of Drafting.
Dennis Rusinko
District 1 Director
Kathy Dollymore, District 3 Director
Ms. Dollymore has in-depth experience managing and providing leadership in a fast-paced environment within the medical community of Haskins, Pennsylvania. She held leadership roles in food service for the Haskins Nursing Home licensed by the Association of Nutrition and Foodservice Professionals (ANFP). Prior to working as a dietetic professional, Kathy held a position at the Upper Darby Public Library as a librarian. These roles allowed her to maximize her communication skills and people management ability. Her duties included cost management for projects, budgeting and human resources responsibilities.
Kathy received her associates degree from Hillsborough College in Hillsborough, PA and her Dietetics degree from Immaculata College, Malvern, PA.
Kathy Dollymore
District 3 Director
Claudia Berg, District 4 Director
Ms. Berg is a strategic business leader skilled in developing leaders and business operations. She served as Chief Administrative and Executive Officer for the State Historical Society of North Dakota. In her role, she was responsible for managing resources, leading the executive team and ensuring state and federal guidelines were followed. She has extensive experience with annual audits, financial reporting, donor collections and communication for the organization. Many projects included interactions with North Dakota governors, state legislators and congressional delegates. She has a proven track record of partnership, communication and team building.
Claudia received her B.A. and M.F.A. degrees from the University of North Dakota and her Museum Management degree from the University of California Berkeley.
Claudia Berg
District 4 Director
Duane Kittleson, District 5 Director
Mr. Kittleson has served as a leader in the life insurance industry with a focus on accounting and business management. He has extensive experience working with state departments and the necessary audit reporting necessary for product filings, as well as NAIC annual reporting. Duane has worked closely in his career with actuaries to ensure data was provided for pricing and product design prior to filing.
Duane worked for a commercial real estate as their controller, giving him great insight into the finance side of a major business. As a leader for the organization, he interacted and negotiated with regional banks and commercial load providers.
Mr. Kittleson received his education from the Madison Business College in Madison, Wisconsin.
Duane Kittleson
District 5 Director
Luella Grangaard, District 6 Director
Ms. Grangaard holds extensive leadership experience in the medical industry spanning four decades across multiple roles within the field of occupational therapy. She has held leadership roles responsible for managing within the federal and state guidelines for staffing and hospital program management. Duties included adhering to regulations for staff licensing, training and patient care as required by guidelines set by insurers. Luella has held various leadership roles for both the State and National Occupational Therapy Association including both president and secretary. She was honored to be appointed by the Governor of California to serve on the first California Board of Occupational Therapy, responsible for the drafting of state regulations and hearings to set future policy. Her skills include but are not limited to strategic planning, governance, budgeting, legal, ethics and communications.
Luella received her B.S. degree from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
Luella Grangaard
District 6 Director
Erik Brochmann, District 7 Director
Mr. Brochmann devoted his career to the shipping industry, working as a Service Engineer and Department Superintendent for Star Shipping Canada, Ltd. During his time with Star Shipping, he was stationed in Norway before relocating to the US as an Equipment Department Manager in Savannah, GA. He moved to Canada where he continues to reside with his family, when he took employment with Gearbulk Shipping Canada in the Vancouver in 1986.
Erik has held various positions of leadership with Sons of Norway including President of the Seventh District and member of the International Board for Sons of Norway.
Erik Brochmann
District 7 Director
Per Mikalsen, District 8 Director
Mr. Mikalsen began his career as a carpenter in Brooklyn, NY having grown up in Norway and immigrating to the United States. With the majority of his work in the shipyards he was able to secure work in the North Sea with Phillips Petroleum Company, retiring after 20 years of service. Per has held various leadership roles for District Eight including the role of District President and Treasurer; he currently holds a position on the Sons of Norway International Board.
Per completed his education at the Haugesund High School in Norway.
Per Mikalsen
District 8 Director
Chris Pinkerton, Sons of Norway CEO
As CEO, Christopher leads a fraternal insurance organization with more than $365 million in assets that operates in 38 states in the United States as well as lodges in Norway and Canada. His primary responsibilities include strategic management of the fraternal, charitable foundation, business and insurance operations of the organization, including sales and marketing, customer service and underwriting, finance, actuarial, human resources, administration and information technology.
Before joining Sons of Norway, Christopher held executive positions with Nationwide Insurance, Allianz Life of North America, The Independent Order of Foresters and Savings Bank Life Insurance of Massachusetts. He also created and led an independent consulting firm specializing in market strategy and implementation programs for the life insurance industry.
Mr. Pinkerton earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio and an MBA from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He also holds the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designations and is a Fellow of the Life Management Institute (FLMI).
Chris Pinkerton
Sons of Norway CEO
Dean Stiller, Appointed Board Member
Mr. Stiller has in-depth knowledge and experience as an actuary focused on both life insurance and annuity pricing and product development. While serving as the lead actuary for Sons of Norway for over 20 years, he was responsible for financial reporting, analysis and product development and managing inforce products. Dean is a member of the American Academy of Actuaries and a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries. These two organizations are the main professional and educational organizations for actuaries in the United States.
Dean has served on the International Board for Sons of Norway and Chair of the Audit Committee for the Sons of Norway Foundation. He is also a long-standing member of the American Fraternal Alliance. He received his B.A. in Mathematics from St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota.
Dean Stiller
Appointed Board Member
District Presidents
District 1 – Mark Haugen
District 2 – Gerald Erickson
District 3 – Stephen Helmold
District 4 – Jerry Saude
District 5 – Cheryl Wille-Schlesser
District 6 – Lis A. Barca
District 7 – Gloria Benazic
District 8 – Tor Arild Halvorsen
Pictured from left to right: Gerald Erickson, Tor Arild Halvorsen, Mark Haugen, Jerry Saude, Cheryl Wille-Schlesser.
Not pictured: Stephen Helmold, Lis A. Barca, Gloria Benazic.