The day-to-day work of the Minnesota Irish Cultural Center is performed by its Board of Directors and staff, all of whom are dedicated (but unpaid!) volunteers of the kind that can be found in each of Minnesota’s many Irish-related organizations, clubs and interest groups. Although MICC’s site search process has focused on the Twin Cities metropolitan area (where more than 70% of Minnesota’s population resides), MICC’s Board of Directors includes metro-area representatives and representatives of “Greater Minnesota” (typically defined as the 80 counties located outside of the 7-county Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area), in recognition of the fact that people of Irish descent (and others who are interested in Irish culture) reside throughout the entire State of Minnesota.Indeed, many rural Minnesota communities were founded by Irish immigrants and are known for appreciating and celebrating their Irish heritage.
MINNESOTA IRISH CULTURAL CENTER – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Name
Background/Experience/Credentials
Occupation and/or Comments
Suin Lowary, Richfield MN
Director/Dancer, Trasna na dTonnta Irish dance group; member, Board of Directors, Irish Music & Dance Association; Co-Chair, IMDA Entertainment Committee (St. Patrick’s Day Celebration); Crossroads Tent Coordinator, Irish Fair of Minnesota; Ceili Dance Instructor/Caller; Fundraiser, Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice (through Irish Fair)
J.D.; Principal Attorney Editor, West Publishing, Eagan MN
Secretary, Board of Directors, Irish Music & Dance Association (www.IrishMusicandDanceAssociation.org); Co-Chair, IMDA Entertainment Committee (St. Patrick’s Day Celebration); Coordinator, IMDA Educational Grant Program; active Irish Fair volunteer
Technical Design Specialist, Qwest Communications (retired); currently employed by CBR Specialty Retail
Professional musician and All-Ireland storyteller. Native of County Cork, Ireland, currently maintaining residences in Ireland and in Rochester MN
Sue Spencer, Duluth MN
Co-founder and member of two bands, McInnis’ Kitchen (see http://www.mcinniskitchen.com/), 2006-2009 and its predecessor, Willowgreen (1983-2006); member, Board of Directors, Knife River Music Festival (formerly Two Harbors Folk Festival), 1993-2009; member, Advisory Board, Glensheen Historical Congdon Estate, 2000-2004
Professional musician and partner in Pond Stage Productions (music agency), see www.pondstage.com
MINNESOTA IRISH CULTURAL CENTER –EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Kevin Carroll, Rosemount MN
Co-founder and member of two Irish bands, Legacy (see www.legacycelticmusic.com), 2001-2009, and Forty Shades of Green (see www.40ShadesOfGreen.net ), 2008-09; Chair of Non-Dance Competitions (Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Arts & Crafts, Soda Bread), The Minnesota Feis (see http://www.theminnesotafeis.com/), 2004-2008. Former elected/appointed positions include Rosemount City Council; Chair, Rosemount Port Authority Commission; Chair, Dakota County Chapter, Habitat for Humanity; Chair, Dakota County Economic Development Partnership; Board of Directors, League of Minnesota Cities.
Principal Project Coordinator, Business Development Section, Department of Community Planning & Economic Development, City of Minneapolis;earlier positions include Community Development Director (Farmington MN); City Administrator (Carver MN); Economic Development Coordinator (Mounds View MN)