Day Leader Biographies

George Brophy is the President/CEO of Development Corporation of Austin (DCA). As an investor in new or expanding industrial enterprises, DCA acts to create employment and economic enhancement within Austin and greater Mower County.

An Austin native, Forstner worked in the weekly newspaper business for 25 years. He sold the Stewartville Star and returned to Austin in 2000 to take his current position as executive director of the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce. He has a BA degree in English and Government from St. Johns University.

Bruce Henricks has served as the Director of Human Services for Mower County since 1993, but has worked in various capacities for the department since 1979.  Prior to joining Mower County, Bruce earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Mankato State College and worked as a senior accountant for Wilson Foods Corporation.  Bruce is a lifelong resident of Mower County. He and his wife Christine live in rural Austin and have four adult children and two grandchildren.

Jim Hurm is Austin’s city administrator.  He also serves as executive director of both the Austin Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), and the Austin Port Authority. Before coming to Austin in 2002, Jim served as executive director of the Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council, a regional planning commission serving areas in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.  Previously he served as city administrator in three cities over a twenty-year period, following a four-year stint as a congressional legislative assistant in Washington D.C. Jim has a doctorate degree in public administration from Hamline University.  His masters degree in urban management and development is from Northern Illinois University, and he received his bachelor’s degree from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.  He has taught graduate courses in public administration at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. Jim and his wife Susan have four children:  Jon, Edit, Kyle and Matt.

Rod Nordeng has been the Director of Human Resources at Austin Medical Center since 1997.  Rod is a board member of Austin Area Chamber of Commerce, Community Bank, Development Corporation of Austin, and a Trustee of the Hormel Historic Home.  Rod and Mary Nordeng live in Rose Creek with their two children; Brenna and Pierce.  Mary is a nationally recognized quilter.  Rod received his Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Minnesota and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse.  He is a nationally accredited Senior Professional of Human Resources.

Todd Penske has been the President and CEO at Cooperative Response Center, Inc. since 1998.  Todd is a board member and past president of the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce, as well as a current member of the Austin Rotary Club and former Austin City Council member.  Todd lives in southwest Austin.  Todd has a Bachelor of Science degree in management, Master of Business Administration degree, and will soon receive his Doctorate degree in executive management.

Paul Philipp is the Chief of Police for the City of Austin. He is a 28-year veteran of the department and has served as a patrol officer, sergeant and Chief for the past 15 years. He is also serves as past president and current member of the board of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association and the Association of Minnesota Emergency Managers. He is married to his wife Kathy and has two adult children, Sarah who is attending Medical School at the University of Rochester, NY and Jason who is a loss prevention manager for several Herberger stores in Minnesota. Paul is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy.

Candace Raskin has served as the Superintendent of Austin Public Schools since July 2004.  Candace has been employed by Austin Public Schools since 1988 and has served in a variety of positions; High Potential Coordinator, Elementary Principal, Middle School Principal and Director of Educational Services.  Candace is a board member of the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce and Austin YMCA.  Larry and Candace Raskin have lived in Austin for 23 years and have two children Matthew and Robbi.  Larry works for the Hormel Corporation.  Candace received her BA in Elementary Education from The Ohio State University; Masters in Special Education and Specialist in Administration from Mankato State University and Doctorate in Administration and Policy from the University of Minnesota.