Our Staff

Our team is here to provide professional expertise and leadership to enhance regional opportunities in Southwest Minnesota.

We can be reached anytime via phone or email.

Leadership

jay

Jayme (Jay) Trusty

Executive Director
(507) 836-1636
About Jay
robin new 12 19 23

Robin Weis

Deputy Director
(507) 836-1638
About Robin

Planning

jason

Jason Walker

Community Development Director
(507) 836-1642
About Jason
kim

Kim Murphy

Development Planner
(507) 836-1631
About Kim
nadya

Nadya Bucklin

Development Planner
(507) 836-1634
About Nadya
chris

Chris Webb

Transportation Planner
(507) 836-1633
About Chris

Finance & Administration

melissa

Melissa Nelson

Finance Director
(507) 836-1646
About Melissa
kathy

Kathy Schreiber

Administration Specialist
(507) 836-1640
About Kathy
jodi

Jodi Klein

Accounting Specialist
(507) 836-1632
About Jodi

Communications

sheila

Sheila Crowley

Communications Specialist
(507) 836-1644
About Sheila
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About Jay Trusty

Jay joined SRDC in 2001 and has several decades of experience in public service. Under his leadership, SRDC has become an active member of the Rural Minnesota Broadband Coalition and has been a leading region in clean energy initiatives. Jay is an active board member for multiple organizations throughout Minnesota, including his role as the current Chair of the Minnesota Rural Broadband Coalition.

Jay has a master’s degree in public administration from St. Cloud State University and a bachelor’s degree in Government from St. John’s University and has former experience as the Lincoln, Lyon, Murray and Pipestone Public Health Services Administrator, a Special Projects Administrator at the Mid-Minnesota Development Commission, and has served in the United States Army Reserve. Jay oversees the daily operations of the Commission and its programs. Jay works directly on broadband and legislative initiatives, as well as representing the Commission in the community and at the state and federal level.

About Robin

Robin joined SRDC in 1998, and initially began her regional development career with the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging and RSVP of SW MN, then programs within the SRDC. Robin directs the economic development initiatives within the organization, including administration of the Revolving Loan Funds and Property Assessed Clean Energy programs and contracted Revolving Loan Funds. Robin also provides assistance with economic development and business projects, providing guidance and assistance on EDA grants.

Robin is a graduate of Southwest State University (now Southwest Minnesota State University) in Marshall and serves as an active board member for multiple organizations throughout Minnesota.

About Jason

Jason joined SRDC in 2019. His work includes renewable energy planning, leading Active Living and Safe Routes to School Planning, and assisting local units of government and organizations with Strategic Planning Efforts. Jason is the staff to the Southwest Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) and to the Rural Minnesota Energy Board.

Jason came to SRDC with several years of experience in administration and adult education at Muscatine Community College in Iowa, as a Community Development Specialist in Illinois, as well as experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Jason has a master’s degree in public administration from Western Illinois University and a Bachelors Degree in Internal Affairs/French from Morningside College.

About Kim

Kim joined SRDC in March 2023 as a Development Planner. Her work consists of community development projects. 

Kim is a lifelong resident of Southwest Minnesota. She comes to SRDC with experience in local government. 

About Nayda

Nadya recently joined the SRDC on September 5th of this year. Originally from Mt. Lake, she will be working on planning projects, trail planning, securing grants and funding, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. Her favorite part of the job is interacting with other organizations, and learning about energy and energy efficiency, changes, and funding.

Nadya holds a Master of Development Practice (MDP) from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies
from the University
of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

About Chris

Chris became a part of the SRDC team in mid-September of this year and will be serving as a Transportation Planner working with Safe Routes to School along with Active Transportation.

Chris graduated with an MBA from Southwest MN State University, holds a BA in Business Management and Leadership, and completed his Associate of Arts degree at Rock Valley College.

About Melissa

Melissa joined SRDC in 2022 as our Accounting Specialist and transitioned to our Finance Director in March 2023, bringing years of experience in payroll and finance services. Melissa has previous experience working with businesses in the region and is a long-time Slayton resident. 

About Kathy

Kathy joined SRDC in 1993. Over the course of her extensive career at SRDC and volunteer experience within the Slayton community, Kathy has developed a passion for working with people. Her work

includes administrative assistance to leadership and planning staff, including assistance on the Revolving Loan Funds program and with the Commission, as well as assisting with finance department duties.

About Jodi

Jodi started her position on June 14, 2023, working with payroll, accounts payable and receivable, A.C.E., and a variety of other accounting responsibilities.

She holds a two-year degree in computer with an emphasis on Microsoft Suite. Jodi has previous other bookkeeping positions under her belt.

About Sheila

Sheila joined the SRDC team on 9/11 of this year as the Communications Specialist. As part of her job, Sheila will be creating news releases, doing social media and website posts, as well as utilizing her design skills for various projects the group does.

Sheila has spent the past 43 years in the newspaper industry working with Johnson Publishing doing feature and sports stories, selling and designing advertisements, and photography.