Board Members and Staff | Virginia Community Foundation

Virginia Community Foundation Board & Staff

The Virginia Community Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Members are actively involved in achieving the Foundation’s mission. Living or working in the Virginia area, Directors are knowledgeable about our community and work hard to ensure that the spirit and intent of each gift is honored.

Greg Gilness, Chair Retired, Community Volunteer On the board since 2020 View Bio

Greg Gilness, Chair
Greg was born in 1950 and graduated from Virginia High School. He played football and hockey in high school; attended Mesabi Community College, and graduated from UMD with a BBA. Greg met his wife Jane while attending UMD and married in 1974. They have two children.

Greg worked at LTV corporation for 28 years years. Fifteen years in Payroll and Human Resources, thirteen years in Asset Management and Acquisition. Following the collapse of LTV, he worked for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota as a supervisor and manager for 10 years, retiring in 2012.

Greg volunteered as a youth hockey coach and referee for many years. He has been a member and president of the Virginia Parks and Recreation Commission from 2005 to 2021. During this time, he initiated the project to restore the fountain in Olcott Park resulting in its re-commissioning in 2019. He is currently a member of the design committee for the Miners Event and Convention Center. ×
Mark Kovacich, Vice Chair Suez Water Technologies & Solutions-Project Manager On the board since 2020 View Bio
Polly Podpeskar, Treasurer INAC Inc. On the board since 2021 View Bio

Polly Podpeskar, Treasurer
Polly serves as the Director of Student Nutrition Services for the Grand Rapids Public Schools and is the owner of Innovative Nutrition for the Arrowhead Communities. INAC, Inc. has been providing professional food service management for 35 years.

Polly is a past member of the Queen City Federal Bank Board of directors. She has served on the Minnesota School Nutrition Association Executive Board, Virginia Parks and Recreation Board and is a Founding member of the Education Fund for Virginia schools. Polly’s success in building positive relationships is an asset to the Foundation as connections are made with old and new donors.

Not surprisingly, Polly loves to cook. She and her husband Jimmy, maintain a productive garden. Her favorite activities include hosting family gatherings and traveling.
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Marieta Johnson, Secretary Retired Executive, MN Judicial Branch On the board since 2021 View Bio

Marieta Johnson, Secretary
Marieta was born in Spokane, Washington and grew up as a military dependent. She attended 11 schools in as far away places as the Philippines. Marieta received her Masters Degree in Judicial Administration from the University of Denver Law School. She moved to Virginia in 1982.

Marieta is a founding member of the Virginia Community Foundation. She has served on the Northland Foundation Board of Directors and was recognized as a KBJR Woman in Leadership. Marieta was a National Center for State Courts Leadership Trainer and currently sits on the Alworth Scholarship Board.

Marieta has strong ties to the Virginia Foundation. As a board member, she hopes to bring the skills she acquired during her more than thirty years in judicial management and customer service. Marieta's goal is to help ensure a long-lasting understanding of the history and mission of the Foundation.

Marieta's interests include community leadership, philanthropy, and family activities. Marieta says, “I was born to be a Grandma.” Thankfully, she is blessed with five grandchildren.
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Anthony (Tony) Harkonen Retired, Community Volunteer On the board since 2017 View Bio

Anthony (Tony) Harkonen
Tony grew up in Angora and is a graduate of Cook High School. Following graduation, he attended Mesabi Community College and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis where he graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Mining Engineering. Tony worked at the former Erie Mining Company as an Engineer for 5 years before attending UMD where he graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Applied Mathematics with a teaching certification. Tony started his teaching career in Cook in 1985 and also taught in Cotton, at Mesabi Community College, and ended 32 years of teaching at Hibbing High School. Tony retired in June 2017.

Tony was a certified basketball official for over 30 years and also officiated with football and baseball.

Tony and his wife, Robin have lived in the Midway neighborhood for over 29 years. They have one daughter, Dr. Brittany (Nate) Ortler and two beautiful granddaughters. Robin is the Executive Director of the East Range DAC in Eveleth and Brittany is an Advanced Practice Clinician for Essentia Health in Duluth. Nate works at United Taconite.

Tony looks forward to working with all the other Board members and staff at the Virginia Community Foundation and serving the business owners and citizens of Virginia. It has been a challenging and rewarding experience so far. ×
Tucker Nelson Habitat for Humanity On the board since 2020 View Bio

Tucker Nelson
Tucker grew up in Eveleth, graduated from Virginia High School and has lived in the Queen City since early 2020. He is currently the community engagement coordinator for North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity. Previously, Tucker was the editor of Hometown Focus, an Iron Range community newspaper, and the museum director for the Virginia Area Historical Society. He has also served on the boards of Mesabi Musical Theatre, the Eveleth Heritage Society, and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.

Tucker lives in Virginia with his wife, Ashley; stepson, Charlie; and cats, Pugsley and Rye. Tucker is glad he and his family live in a community with a vibrant past and a promising future. ×
Dominick Olivanti Community Volunteer On the board since 2021 View Bio

Dominick Olivanti
Dominick is a powerhouse of creativity and public relations. A graduate of Virginia High School, Dominick went on to St. Cloud State University and received a degree in Planning and Community Development. He currently works for Range Center Inc., serving “exclusively,” people with disabilities.

Dominick’s love of Northeastern Minnesota is infectious. He originated a podpast dedicated to the Iron Range and all good things that happen in the area. Dominick believes in giving back to the community that offered him so much. He is quick to describe all the unique qualifies of our region, and has a vision to make a differfence.

Dominick’s enthusiasm for leadership opportunities led him to the Foundation. The Foundation benefits from his interests in photography, grant writing, historical research, and events management. Dominick is very enthusiastic about improving the community. He will use his talents on behalf of the Foundation to strengthen human connections through up-to-date social media communications. Dominick is a change agent to watch. ×
Leah Ryan Community Volunteer On the board since 2017 View Bio

Leah Ryan
Leah is relatively new to the area and looking for ways to become involved in our community, make friendships and set a good example for others - especially youth.

As a foster parent, she wants to help raise responsibly engaged world citizens and the best way to teach is by living a good example and encouraging curiosity in her choices.

I look forward to helping the Quad Cities area evolve and grow into the future. ×
Brad Scott Minnesota North College On the board since 2023 View Bio

Brad Scott
Brad is currently the Dean of Athletics at Minnesota North College. Brad was the Director of Development for the Mesabi Range College Foundation from 2015 - 2018. During this time, he successfully built relationships with business and industry on the Iron Range.

Other community involvements include: Arena Facilitator Rock Ridge Youth Hockey, Mesabi East Foundation board member, Eveleth-Gilbert Recreation board member, Rock Ridge Youth Hockey board member and Youth softball, baseball and hockey coach.

Brad and his wife, JoJo, reside in Gilbert and have three children, Mayme, Cal and Avery. ×
Brenda Skorich Minnesota North College On the board since 2023 View Bio

Brenda Skorich
Brenda (Lofback) Skorich was born and raised in Virginia. She graduated from Virginia High School, Mesabi Range College, and received both a bachelors and MBA from the College of St. Scholastica. After spending 29 years in various healthcare leadership positions, Brenda now shares her knowledge at Minnesota North College – Mesabi Virginia campus teaching Business Operations & Management and general Business courses.
Brenda is married to her husband of 35 years, Peter and has two daughters Megan (Josh) Lundberg, Mary, granddaughter Callie, and grand dog Dory.

Brenda spent many years volunteering in activities related to her kids interests – painting and decorating sets and organizing costumes for the Virginia High School musicals, serving as treasurer for the Virginia Band Boosters, chaperoning band and choir trips, and helping and organizing booster activities for the VHS tennis and softball programs. An accomplished pianist and organist, Brenda regularly plays for St. Joseph’s parish in Gilbert, and has volunteered her talents for other school and community events.

Brenda previously served on the Blue Pride Fund advisory committee and looks forward to serving with everyone on the Virginia Community Foundation Board.
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Staff Members

Maija Biondich Administrative Assistant Email Maija Biondich View Bio

Maija Biondich

Maija was raised in Mt Iron and worked in the flower business for 40 years. For 23 of those years, she owned Silver Lake Floral in the 300 block of Chestnut Street in downtown Virginia. Maija is a member of The Ladies of Kaleva, East Range Choral, MN Emerging Entrepreneur Board, and Friends of Public Safety. She currently sits on the Virginia City Council.

A devoted Grandma, Maija enjoys the time she spends with Reagan, Logan, Michael, and her sweet baby, Tillie. She enjoys reading, gardening, biking, attending different racing venues, and walking. Maija often joins her sister to silently volunteer to beautify where she can, most recently decorating the Bob Baldrica Bandstand in Olcott Part over the 2021 Holiday.

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