A quorum for the Highway 23 Coalition general membership is at least 10% of the voting members at the annual meeting.
Per the Bylaws, Section 3.2: Each member of the Coalition receives one vote. To be a member in good standing of the Coalition, the entity or person must have provided the appropriate membership funds to the Fiscal Agent of the Coalition.
Pursuant to Section 4.1 of the Bylaws, the Board of Directors shall have representatives from three regions, the St. Cloud Region (Benton, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine Counties), the Willmar Region (Chippewa, Kandiyohi, and Renville Counties), and the Marshall Region (Lincoln, Lyon, Pipestone, Rock, and Yellow Medicine Counties). Each region shall have at least one government and two business representatives on the Board and may include one additional member.
For 2025, the Highway 23 Coalition is proud to introduce a new slate of Board member candidates. Each of these individuals brings unique experience, perspective, and passion for advancing safe and reliable transportation along the Highway 23 corridor.
Open Board Seat Candidates
These open board seat candidates have been appointed by the Board of Directors to be ratified by the membership. The following candidates were appointed to a term that will end in June of 2025.
| Candidate | Region Represented | Current Term Expires |
|---|---|---|
| Heather Olson | Willmar (business) | June 2028 |
| Josh Schafer | Marshall (business) | June 2028 |
Candidate Biographies
Heather Olson works at Dooley’s Petroleum, where she focuses on marketing, company events, and special projects. She lives in Montevideo and represents the private sector from the Willmar region. Heather believes strongly in the importance of reliable transportation for rural Minnesota, recognizing its critical role in economic development, social connectivity, and quality of life.
Josh Schafer is part of Pulver Towing, where he provides roadside assistance to motorists. Living near mile marker 90 on Highway 23, Josh has firsthand knowledge of the importance of maintaining safe, efficient, and dependable roadways. He represents the private sector from the Marshall region and supports the Coalition’s commitment to considering all perspectives as it works toward transportation improvements that serve both businesses and the traveling public.
Reelection Candidates
Following are current board members whose terms expire this year and who are willing to re-elect to another three-year term:
| Candidate | Region Represented | New Term |
|---|---|---|
| Roger Imdieke | Willmar (government) | June 2025-June 2028 |
| Bob Brynes | Marshall (government) | June 2025-June 2028 |
| Jake Bauerly | St. Cloud (business) | June 2025-June 2028 |
Candidate Biographies
Roger Imdieke has served on the Kandiyohi County Board since 2012, where he is known as a strong advocate for transportation and infrastructure. He played a key role in major projects such as the Highway 23 Gaps and the Willmar Wye rail bypass project and was honored with the Minnesota Transportation Alliance Advocacy Award. Roger represents the government sector from Kandiyohi County and continues to prioritize improvements in transportation and broadband that strengthen regional connections and economic growth.
Bob Byrnes serves as Vice Chair of the Highway 23 Coalition’s Board of Directors and Legislative Committee, representing the government sector from the Marshall region. He is in his 33rd year as Mayor of Marshall and previously worked for 40 years with the University of Minnesota Extension, retiring as the Statewide Director of Operations. Bob strongly supports the goal of a four-lane Highway 23 from Interstate 35 to Interstate 90, recognizing its importance in providing safe and equitable transportation for communities across the state.
Jake Bauerly serves on the Highway 23 Coalition’s Priority Projects and Legislative Committees. He is a former Benton County Commissioner and the owner of Bauerly Farms, bringing both government and business perspectives to the Coalition’s work. Jake is a strong supporter of completing a continuous four-lane Highway 23, recognizing the critical role it plays in safety, efficiency, and economic opportunity for the region.
This new slate of candidates reflects the Coalition’s ongoing commitment to strong, balanced leadership across the regions we serve. We thank each candidate for stepping up to lead and invite our membership to take part in shaping the future of Highway 23 by voting at the 2025 Annual Meeting.