In 1971, MCDA became the new name for the existing Minnesota Career Professional Organization. Prior to this date, the organization was named MVGA (MN Vocational Guidance Association). The following list of the organization’s past presidents was created by Dean DeGroot and Barb Krantz-Taylor in 1999 and is updated each year. Learn more about MCDA’s history and past award recipients by clicking below.
| Years Served | President | Employer |
|---|---|---|
| 1971-1972 | Martin Dockman | MN Dept. of Economic Security |
| 1972-1973 | Dr. Phillip Haber | Twin Cities B’nai B’rith Career & Counseling Services |
| 1973-1974 | Joseph Hetah | Minneapolis Public Schools |
| 1974-1975 | Horace Olson | Jackson Area Vocational Technical School |
| 1975-1977 | Frank Tekautz | MN Dept. of Economic Security |
| 1977-1978 | Roger Rasmussen | Wilmar Area Vocational Technical Schoo |
| 1978-1979 | Betty Neuwirth | Robbinsdale Public Schools |
| 1979-1980 | Dr. Richard Manley | Perkins Family Restaurants |
| 1980-1981 | John Pedeszew | Medtronic, Inc. |
| 1981-1982 | Steven Frantz | MN Dept. of Education |
| 1982-1983 | Dr. Sunny Hansen | University of MN |
| 1983-1984 | Phillip Penn | St. Paul Public Schools |
| 1984-1985 | Carol Weeks (Lowe) | Macalester College |
| 1985-1986 | Dr. Gary Donaldson | Center for Counseling & Stress Management |
| 1986-1987 | Cindy Schultz | |
| 1987-1988 | Bruce Roselle | PDI |
1988-1989 | Susan Reyelts | |
| 1989-1990 | Terri Teeson | |
| 1990-1991 | Marlys Dickmeyer | |
| 1991-1992 | Darleen Ellingsen | |
| 1992-1993 | Kevin Nutter | University of MN |
| 1993-1994 | John Eckberg | John Eckberg & Associates (Betty Olson & Associates) |
| 1994-1995 | Rich Murray | St. Cloud State University |
| 1995-1996 | Mark Larson | Employers’ Association |
| 1996-1997 | Jeanne Bailey | Allina Health Systems |
| 1997-1998 | Barb Krantz-Taylor | University of MN |
| 1998-1999 | Dave Baker | University of St. Thomas |
| 1999-2000 | Carolyn Hildebrandt | Health East |
| 2000-2001 | Dean DeGroot | Innerview Consulting |
| 2001-2002 | Jean Tollefson | Private Practice |
| 2002-2003 | Kate Schaefers | University of MN |
| 2003-2004 | Janet Pelto | University of MN |
| 2004-2005 | Becky Hall | University of MN |
| 2005-2006 | Shelia Cunningham-McComb | State of MN (DEED) |
| 2006-2007 | Nancy Fraasch | OI Partners |
| 2007-2008 | Nancy White | Dakota County Technical College |
| 2008-2009 | Paul Timmins | University of MN |
| 2009-2010 | Irene Rossman | CPI |
| 2010-2011 | Carmen Croonquist | Adler Graduate School |
| 2011-2012 | Janet Pribyl | University of MN–Duluth |
| 2012-2013 | Shelley Jensen-Decker | Private Practice |
| 2013-2014 | Darren Kaltved | University of MN |
| 2014-2015 | Jennifer Rosand | University of MN |
| 2015-2016 | Victor Massaglia | University of MN |
| 2016-2017 | Kim Marrone | Right Management |
| 2017-2018 | Denise Felde | Minnesota State Colleges & Universities |
| 2018-2019 | Gordon Helle | Strategic Education Inc. |
| 2019-2020 | Donna Bennett | Donna L. Bennett, LLC |
| 2020-2021 | Sharon Balke | Strategic Education, Inc. |