Staff and Board Of Directors
Erica Stepanek
Executive Director
Erica was born and raised right here in the Brainerd lakes area and though she has lived in other cities and states central Minnesota is where her heart lives. She graduated from Brainerd High School in 2011 and took a hiatus from academics to focus on her family and finding purpose in this world. She recently graduated from Central Lakes College with her Information Technology degree, making her the first person in her family to do so.
She has always been passionate about volunteering and making a difference in her community, whether that be visiting area nursing homes or donating time to events such as the Good Samaritan Bowl. Erica likes to refer to herself as a “retired” teenager, but this does not stop her exuberant personality and her childlike wonder of this world and all that can be accomplished. She readily offers the support and guidance to youth they deserve, while providing joy and laughter, usually at her own expense.
Though this Executive Director role is new to Erica, she is not new to TheShop having started her tenure as the
PC’s for People Program manager in September of 2021. As Executive Director she brings in new ideas and fresh perspectives to move TheShop toward its’ next 10 years supporting all our youth as they figure out this adult world.
Nathan Lundbohm
Manager
Nathan has known since a mission trip to Jamaica in 2013 that his calling was to work with at-risk youth. He has been a part of TheShop since 2014 fulfilling his internship for the College of St. Scholastica. This led to a management position. In 2018 he left TheShop and spent a year as an advocate with the Mid MN Women’s Center. He then took his talents to Lutheran Social Service within the Hope Housing program. While pursuing these new directions Nathan served on the board of directors for TheShop. After starting a family of his own he returned to TheShop in October of 2020 and began the Covid Reboot as this community worked toward keeping connections alive.
Other than a passion to help the youth of our community he is active outdoorsman enjoying camping, kayaking, and mountain biking. He has a healthy interest in sports, basketball being his favorite. Good chance you’ll catch him on his mountain bike around town or on a basketball or tennis court… After all he is a 41-year-old kid!
The Brainerd Baxter Youth Center Board of Directors
Megan Bistodeau
Board Chair
Joined the BBYC Board in 2015. Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor a local high school with a passion for helping youth. She is both a Learn To Skate director and coach for youth of all ages at a local Skating club.
Jennifer Perez Kruger
Board Vice Chair
Therapist and college instructor in the Brainerd Lakes Area
She loves to sing and connect with others.
Rick Jackson
Board Secretary
LICSW and Director of Mobile Crisis Outreach for Northern Pines Mental Health Center. Passion for helping those in the most need and supporting people when needing. Downtime activities include fishing, golfing, and being a voracious reader.
Cindy Moore
Board Treasurer
Founder and past Director of The BBYC known locally as TheShop
They can’t seem to get rid of her. Passion for all things community focused.
Troy Schreiffels
Founding Board Member
Retired after 30 years with the Brainerd Police Dept as School Resource Officer, Patrol Sgt, and trainer. Currently works on the security and safety team at Central Lakes College
Erin Wilmot
Board Member
Erin is a Brainerd transplant from 2010 and is currently employed at Central Lakes College. She spends her days supporting students as they work towards learning, independence, and a life-long pursuit of knowledge.
TheShop is near and dear to her as she spent 2.5 years on the Board before spending 2.5 years as Executive Director. Erin believes that youth are one of our most potent and powerful groups of people whose creativity is unmatched!
Kevin Lattu
Board Member
Current Advisor for the TRIO Upward Bound Program at Central Lakes College and does extensive advocacy work with the Minnesota TRIO Association. Completing his Master of Social Work from Augsburg University. When not geeking out about social studies you can find him playing guitar or hiking.
Luke Nelson
Board Member
New to the board and new to Brainerd area, Luke is one of the pastors at Park UMC and Emily UMC. Not a stranger to any conversation about movies, comics, health and fitness, Minnesota renaissance festival or being a parent.
John Carlson
Board Member
Moved from Uptown Minneapolis to rural Pine River in 2013 with his wife Macy and a bunch of rescue animals. When not doing things for TheShop, he can be found spending his time running the Northwoods Mobile Food Shelf, hosting trivia, and finding ways to make good trouble in an increasingly troubling world.
Kirby Cactus
Honorary Board Member
Likes to hang out and flower. Thrives in the center of the table and when touched has many sharp and focused points.
Alicia Murphy
Board Member
New to the board! Mom, volunteer, music lover and a work from home IT project manager. Also loves to garden, practice interior design and cooking! Enjoy sharing my time and energy with others to make a difference!
Join The Board
Contact us if you are interested in working collaboratively for healthy futures through community connections.
Isabel Bundy
Youth Board Member
Founding youth member of The RainbowRoad Program and Girls Who Code at TheShop. She gives voice to her ideas and has embraced leadership opportunities at TheShop. She has been accepted to the University of Oregon and is ecstatic to begin a new journey.
Dustin Downing
Youth Board Member
Became part of TheShop in 2015 through the Bicycle Recycle Youth Project. He continues to be part of this program and is an asset for TheShop with his knowledge and historical perspectives including infrastructure.
Support The Shop
Hours
TheShop
723 Washington Street
218-454-0009
Wednesday – Saturday
3:00pm – 8:00pm
PCs for People
brainerd@pcsforpeople.org
Saturdays
2:00pm – 5:00pm
Follow Us
Copyright © 2022 TheShop Brainerd. Support by Midwest Captions, Inc.