The Center for Research and Innovation Custom College hosts a staff of highly qualified and experienced people who are ready to work with you to meet your organization's needs.

Mr. Anthony Schaffhauser, M.S., Executive Director
Anthony Schaffhauser, M.S., provides overall management for the Center for Research and Innovation and Custom College.  Mr. Schaffhauser draws on his extensive knowledge of regional workforce needs developed from his previous experience as a Regional Analyst for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), researching and analyzing economic and labor market information for business and industry.  Prior to that, Schaffhauser conducted applied research, developed and managed a number of training programs for business and industry, served as a faculty member at the University of Minnesota, Crookston and was a Research Fellow at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.

Mr. Michael Wellcome, M.S., Associate Director
Michael Wellcome, M.S., provides administrative and operational management of the CRI including purchasing equipment, budgetary oversight, technical assistance to project managers, and supervision of support personnel. Mr. Wellcome's experience includes business process improvement, electronic commerce, grant writing and administration, strategic planning, and project management. In the past four years, he has been successful in securing over $1.2 Million in grant funds to enhance the operations of the Center for Research and Innovation and to increase the Centers capacity to deliver educational and management services to business and industry.

Mr. Kris Williams, Industrial Training Coordinator (Information Systems)
Mr. Williams is the WEB master for CRI projects including the day-to-day information systems development of the Northern Tier High Technology Corridor (www.ntht.org), the CRI web site (www.cri-bsu.org), the development of our web based delivery efforts, and CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Video and Multi-Media development. Mr. Williams also researches existing and evolving technologies in order to continually expand the capacity of the CRI. Mr. Williams holds a B.S. in Design Technology with an emphasis in 3D/Multi-Media design.

Ms. Kerry Ross, Industrial Training Coordinator (Human Resources)
Ms. Ross is the Project Manager for the North Country Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Minnesota Job Skills Grant. Additionally, Ms. Ross is responsible for the design, development, and implementation of all non-credit instruction and corporate contracts including scheduling and identifying appropriate classes, identifying and supervising instructors, contract development and quality control. Her experience includes 10 years in Human Resource Management. She has been a professional corporate trainer for five years focusing on Human Resource topics including Leadership and Supervisory Skills, Conflict Management, Teambuilding, Time Management, Delivering Effective Customer Service, and Managing Change in Your Organization. She is also certified to facilitate the FISH! Philosophy.

Ms. Diane Backer, Administrative Associate
Ms. Backer provides all office management support including supervising student workers, and administrative support to the staff and customers of the Center for Research and Innovation.

Jeanne Edevold Larson, M.S., Industrial Training Coordinator (Organizational Development)
Ms. Larson has more than 15 years of experience in strategic planning, program design and community collaboration. Her skills in group facilitation, resource identification and grant writing have helped dozens of organizations in the region to visualize change and work together on a common journey for collaboration among diverse stakeholders.