Jorrie Johnson
Publisher
507-287-3293 Home/Office
507-259-6362 Cell
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I was born in Duluth, Minnesota. I love going up north to visit family, spend time at the cabin in the summer and ski in the winter. I started college at University of Minnesota Duluth and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with a specialization in public relations and a minor in psychology from the University of West Florida in 1994. I earned a master of business administration degree from Winona State University in 2002.
I started researching the concept for Rochester Women magazine in the fall of 1999. In January 2000, I started Rochester Women magazine and have been working on it for twelve fun years.
I am an active member in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and a member of TriRochester. I volunteer with the American Heart Association Go Red For Women, Rochester Area Builders Membership Committee, Rochester Art Center, Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce Women Entrepreneurs Networking Group, Rochester Area Family Y and SAVE (Partners in Prevention of Sexual Abuse Violence and Exploitation).
I’m proud of my three children. They are well-adjusted and make me laugh. Our Olde English Bulldogge, Roxy, had two litters of puppies in 2011.
If I knew then what I know now… I would have trusted God more along the way instead of thinking I had control over my own success and success of Rochester Women magazine.
Doug Solinger
Co-Publisher
507-398-8633
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I grew up in Rochester and have lived here for about 45 years. My family moved here when my father first started working at the Rochester Visitor Magazine. I graduated from University of Wisconsin La Crosse with a bachelor’s degree in small business administration. I have been involved with every aspect of printing through owning and managing a printing company. My publishing background comes from my ownership of ten other magazines. I started working with Rochester Women magazine in 2001.
I belong to the Experimental Aviation Association, and I’m a member of LACVB, La Crosse Chamber, Rochester Chamber, Tomah Chamber, Sparta Chamber, and MPA.
I am proud of the airplane that I built from scratch and of the business that I have built.
If I knew then what I know now… There are a lot of things that I have learned from being in business that if I had known them earlier would have changed some of the decisions I have made but in the end I would be just as happy as I am now.
Deanne Breitenbach
Marketing Account Manager
507-951-2413 Cell
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The most rewarding part of what I do is seeing my clients get results! Even after over 20 years of sales and marketing experience, I’m giddy like a little kid over being a part of Rochester Women. Being in a position to offer a tried and true powerhouse marketing tool like this to the businesses I work with is a privilege and I’m honored to have the opportunity to be a part of their success stories.
Ellington Miller
Editor
507-271-8107
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I grew up in Northfield, Minnesota. I moved to Rochester in 1999 where I got my first job after college at a computer software company; I worked as a technical writer. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in writing from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. I also attended the Salt Institute for Documentary Skills. I’ve been a freelance writer since I started at Rochester Women magazine in 2000. I’ve also done technical writing, PR writing and Web writing.
I am on the board for the Minnesota Magazine and Publishing Association (MMPA). I volunteer for English Springer Rescue America and I’m a musician in Classic Brass quintet, Whirlwinds Woodwind Quintet and Rochester Civic Music Concert Band. I am also a member of the Rochester Pond and Garden Tour board.
My husband and I have four Springer Spaniels and foster Springers for rescue. We have fostered 20 Springers, who all have wonderful forever homes because we said “yes” to rescue.
If I knew then what I know now… I wouldn’t have questioned my ability to edit a magazine. I had an excellent education and a desire to tell people’s stories. This job is an enjoyable learning experience, and the strength of the women in our community is astounding.
Marlene Petersen
Editor
507-358-7222
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I grew up in a small town in northern Indiana. I lived in Minneapolis/St. Paul for about 10 years with a few years in between in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, prior to moving to Rochester in 2005. Rochester is close to our family in the Twin Cities, vibrant with ample activities and opportunities and with much less congestion.
As a law student then lawyer, graduate fellow then instructor at the University of Minnesota, I have done a great deal of researching, interviewing, writing and editing in genres ranging from16th Century English monarchy to student papers on women in literature to children's fiction to appellate briefs to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. My first article for Rochester Women magazine was published in March/April 2008 issue. I started my position as Editor for Rochester Women magazine in March 2012.
I volunteer at my daughter's school as yearbook editor and bi-weekly librarian. I am also a first soprano in the Rochester Symphony Orchestra and Chorale and love to volunteer at the Rochester Reperatory Theater as house manager or usher.
As a family, we love to make homemade pizza and watch movies on Friday nights. I have been lucky enough to stay home with my daughter and was able to care for my mother through the trials of cancer right up to the last minute of her life.
If I knew then what I know now...I would tell myself to live more and worry less because it will all work out in the end—something I have trouble seeing still today but couldn't conceive of at all when I was younger.
Margo Stich
Food Editor
507-288-5319
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I spent the first eleven years of my life in New Jersey then moved to Wayzata, Minnesota. Following receiving a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from St. Olaf College it was on to Rochester to accept a job at Mayo Clinic as a Research Lab Technician. In 1985 my first child was born. Motherhood, experience in cancer and rheumatology research, and a wide base of involvement with nonprofits in Rochester have all given me insight into various key institutions in Rochester which add to the quality of life for so many. I began working with Rochester Women magazine in the Spring of 2000 when the magazine launched.
Current activities for me include being an active member at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Rochester, serving on the University of Minnesota ERC (Experiment in Rural Cooperation) Board and volunteering with numerous nonprofits locally.
I was one of a handful of non-music majors that played in the St. Olaf College Orchestra. Usually my sense of direction is something to be proud of, except when I am at the steering wheel of a sail boat following the birds overhead as I steer.
If I had known then, what I know now, I would never have allowed a vet to administer multiple different vaccinations, at the same time, for our family pet Molly. Our dog was diagnosed with severe hemolytic anemia just over a month later. She never fully recovered and death resulted.
Apron provided by Nordic Shop
Rue Wiegand
Design Director
507-261-7936
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I grew up in Marinette, Wisconsin. I moved to Rochester in 1998 when I met my husband, Rob. I graduated from University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design. I am continuing to get a master’s degree in project management. I have more than 20 years experience in graphic design, sign making, marketing, pre-press, screen-printing, layout design, photography, photo editing, decals, etc. I began working with Rochester Women in the winter of 2002.
I am involved in snowmobile clubs and canine rescue organizations. I am currently taking agility classes with my dog, Deja. My husband and I have a cabin in Upper Michigan that we love to spend time at. I got my motorcycle license in the summer of 2010. My husband and I also love snowmobiling, ATVing, fishing, and now, motorcycling.
I was the first person in my family to get a bachelor’s degree. Considering both my parents dropped out of high school, this was pretty important to me.
If I knew then what I know now… I would’ve had more confidence in myself at a younger age and gave less value to other’s opinions.
Amy Liebl
Layout Designer
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I grew up in West Central MN, in the small college town of Morris, Minnesota. I graduated from Moorhead State University with a degree in K-12 Art Education with double concentration in painting and photography. After college I taught K-12 art in Herman, MN for one year. The following year, in 2006, Scott was offered a job at IBM and I came for an art teaching job at small town near Rochester (which I eventually turned down). We lived in Rochester until 2000, when we finally found our Oronoco hobby farm. We still consider ourselves "Rochesterites" though. I started working at Rochester Women magazine in May 2012. I love magazine layout design and feel blessed to be part of such a great publication! Before starting here, I had discovered my true passion for page design while working at the Post-Bulletin for 11 years. I enjoyed working mostly on section cover design for the lifestyle sections. I switched from full-time to part-time once my children were born.
I am a freelance graphic artist and take great pride in having worked with several non-profit organizations in Rochester at one time or another. From 2006-2011 I volunteered for The Children's Museum of Rochester by creating their promotional materials, helping to create traveling exhibits, signs, posters.
My husband and I are roller coaster enthusiasts. We have planned vacations around the best coasters in the nation, until a few years ago when I was diagnosed with having a small brain tumor. My neurologist said coasters were highly discouraged. I now pass the torch to my daughter, who has ridden more coasters than I had by the time I was 16 when I first climbed aboard the High Roller at Valleyfair.
"If I knew then what I know now... I would have gone to college for graphic design (and maybe even special effects makeup and costume design). I would have told Dr. Ferber (the "cry it out" guy) to shove it, and picked up my babies more. :) What they say is true. Kids really do grow up too fast."
Emily Benike
Graphic Designer
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I grew up in Rochester, and have lived here my whole life. I went to school in Menomonie, WI, at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. I have a bachelor of fine arts degree in graphic design. I have worked with Rochester Women magazine since October 2006. I have also been doing freelance work since I graduated from college for various local businesses.
I love taking photos of my two boys, and of family and friends. I enjoy cooking, wine, traveling, and going to Rochester's downtown summer events.
If I knew then what I know now...I would have never said never, because you never know where life will take you! Enjoy the ride...
Tommy Traxel
Graphic Designer
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I grew up in Country Club Manor here in Rochester. I graduated from Winona State University with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and a minor in marketing. I completed an internship with Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce and various freelance projects before starting working with Rochester Women through MLT Group in 2011.
I’m involved with Fuel Rochester, a member at Bethel Lutheran Church, and I play golf and softball. I quite enjoy the 15-foot pirate ship in my parent's basement as well. I am also extremely proud godparent of two awesome kids.
If I knew then what I know now… Do what makes you happy.
