Jerry Schimmel, President - Jerry moved to Downtown Minneapolis in April of 2020 reveling in its empty skyways and streets due to COVID. It’s since become much more crowded and he’s content with shaking his fist from his condo balcony at all the people returning to work.

Jerry works as a Professional Engineer for the City of Minneapolis in Water Treatment and Distribution Services and has over 10 years of Project Management and Project Delivery experience. He has served on North Liberty, IA Parks and Recreation Commission (2018-2020) as well as volunteered for many community based organizations in the Iowa City area where he used to call home.

Joining Dakota Curling Club in Fall of 2022 as an individual curler has led to Jerry meeting many curlers, a stint of competitive curling (5 & Under), and opportunities to learn to Pebble, Nip, Scrape and help out on the Ice crew. Jerry joined the board of directors in July of 2023 to further learn the operations of the club, and maybe this will be the year that he finally hosts a bonspiel. End of Current Term: June 2027

 

Jeanine Perera, Treasurer - Jeanine is self-employed and is currently working as a senior accountant. Jeanine learned to curl in her native home city of Winnipeg, Canada. After a move to Savage, Minnesota in 2000 and a 20 year or so hiatus, it was time to get back into curling. She joined Dakota Curling Club in 2018. She loves to teach new curlers and is a Level II certified instructor. End of current term: June 2028

 

Joe Kaus, Business Operations Committee, Vice Chair - Joe is originally from Lakeville and found his way back to the area after college where he works as a mechanical engineer for Collins Aerospace.  First got into curling in 2021 as a fun date night idea taking a learn to curl class and was instantly bit by the bug. Found himself coming back because of the great people he met at the club and after helping with bonsipies was looking for a way to help further his involvement in the club. Outside of curling Joe is an avid golfer and diehard Wild and Packer Fan. End of Current Term: June 2026

 

Jim Gaebel, Member Services Committee, Chair - Jim is a recently retired electrical engineer. He caught the curling bug after a corporate team building event where a group got the wild idea to join a league. A couple of years later we did just that with about 7 people sharing spots on a team!   COVID threw a bit of a curve, but a core of the team survived, and we are still going strong.

Jim has been a member of Dakota Curling Club since late in 2019. He is a Level 1 certified instructor that especially enjoys teaching private events.   It is a great to see when someone starts to have a little bit of success and you can see them catching the bug. End of Current Term: June 2026

 

Jason Armstrong, Business Operations Chair - Jason moved to Minnesota in 2004 and has spent the last 20+ years falling in love with the state’s natural beauty, quirky charm, and can-do attitude—though he remains mildly concerned about woodchippers (thanks, Coens).

Professionally, Jason brings a background in marketing, media, and project management. He’s excited to contribute these skills to help support and grow Dakota Curling Club and its vibrant community.

Five years ago, in his ongoing quest to explore all things Minnesotan, Jason discovered curling. What started as curiosity quickly turned into a full-blown passion. He's deeply appreciative of the sport, the community, and the dedicated volunteers who keep the stones sliding and the ice pebbled.

Outside the rink, Jason is a proud husband and busy dad, often found chauffeuring his son to various activities or triaging his inbox from the driver’s seat of his waiting car. End of Current Term: June 2028

 

Jon Skyberg, Facilities Chair - Jon and his wife, Jodie, joined the Dakota Curling Club immediately after its dedicated facility was opened in 2016. It started with a Learn-To-Curl class and quickly became a passion that has taken over their lives (in a good way). Jon is a member of 3 weekly leagues and is a member of the Ice Team. Jon joined the board as the facilities chair in 2021.

Jon is mostly retired but does enjoy his part-time job working for Dakota Curling Supplies which takes him to many of the curling venues in Minnesota and Wisconsin. This has been a great way to meet other ice makers and facility managers for idea exchange. Jon’s professional background includes 30 years of corporate IT leadership as well as 5 years of owning his own moving and storage company. Jon is the proud father of 3 wonderful adult children (Rolf - 30, Olivia - 27, and Sophia - 24) When he is not at the curling club, he enjoys woodworking and spending time at their Wisconsin cabin. End of current term: June 2027

 

Laura Hakala, Member Services Committee, Co-Chair - Laura grew up in a small town outside of Wichita, Kansas, and has called Minnesota home since 1998.  She started curling at Dakota in 2024 with her husband, where she finds satisfaction in both the physical aspects of learning a new sport and the social benefits of the club.  

Laura's career in education has led her to a Northfield non-profit where she serves college students and works with them to attain their higher education and career goals.  There, she manages the childcare program and disburses grant-funded supports to qualifying students.  Other previous volunteer experience includes delivering for Meals on Wheels, assisting students in Northfield public schools, and serving on the Northfield Nursery School Board of Directors. 

In addition to curling, Laura enjoys gardening, music, traveling, and baking.
End of Current Term: June 2026

 

Randy Peterson, Vice-Chair of the Facilities Committee - Randy is a Senior Director of Real Estate and Facilities Maintenance Operations for a specialty pharmacy company owned by Walgreens. He has a background in engineering, construction and building maintenance. He leads teams across 8 locations including corporate office space, pharmacy mail and line operations, lease administration, physical security operations and program staffing needs.

A curler with his wife Heidi since the spring of 2021, they have truly enjoyed the people and culture of the club while learning to curl. It is enriching to be able to help others get excited about curling and it inspired him to do more.

A resident of Northfield, he has volunteered on several boards and committees at their church and with the YMCA. End of current term: June 2028