Meet Our Staff
Chad Johnson, MBA
Executive Director
Chad joined CMHFH in June of 2021. He has over ten years of Nonprofit experience and has deep local roots and a passion for Central Minnesota. Chad is excited to lead CMHFH into the future and serve as a Beacon of HOPE and STABILITY through providing SAFE, AFFORDABLE, and DECENT housing to those in need.
Chad grew up in St. Cloud, MN, and currently resides in St. Joseph, MN, with his wife (Jacki), and four children (Sophie, William, Charlotte, and Katie). In his free time, Chad enjoys spending time with his family, running, watching the Vikings, reading, listening to podcasts, and working on his Doctorate from St. Cloud State.
Marie Gertken
Administrator
Marie has been working with Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity since 2005, in addition to her work with several local businesses. She has over 25 years of experience in bookkeeping and administration for small businesses.
Marie lives in Holdingford, less then 15 miles from the farm that she grew up on in central Stearns County. She has spent most of her life in rural Stearns County and appreciates the opportunity to help others in the area achieve their goal of homeownership. Marie enjoys gardening and cooking, mostly in the style of her German heritage.
Ashley Ogaja
Volunteer Coordinator
Ashley joined CMHFH in August of 2021. Ashley is happy to help families in our community get affordable housing and loves working with our volunteers. In the past, Ashley worked as an Administrative Assistant/Database Support.
Ashley lives in Saint Joseph, MN with her husband (Eddy), and three children. Ashley enjoys spending time with her family, baking, and hiking.
Caleb Larson
Interim Construction Manager
Caleb grew up in Albertville, MN, before moving to Fargo, ND, to attend North Dakota State University. He graduated with a degree in construction management and moved back home to Albertville.
Caleb now lives in Monticello with his wife, Kayla. He enjoys spending time outdoors hunting, fishing, and spending time with family.
Caleb started working in the construction industry in high school and continued all through college. He has done a little bit of everything, from landscaping to remodeling. He really enjoys what he does and is looking forward to what this new position will teach him and what he can help to teach others.
Jessica Macy
Office Manager
Jessica joined Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity in 2017. She enjoys supporting the team in a variety of ways, always with the goal of seeing our community come together to make affordable homeownership a reality for more of our neighbors.
Jessica lives in Sauk Rapids and enjoys reading (mostly non-fiction), knitting, and road trips. and appreciates the opportunity to help others in the area achieve their goal of homeownership.
Josie Sauer
Client and Homeowner Services
Josie has over eight years of non-profit experience including program coordination, grant management, and finance work. She is a life-long Sauk Rapids resident and is excited to be part of the CMHFH team working to make safe, affordable homeownership available to members of our community.
Josie lives in Sauk Rapids with her partner Jesse and their two teenagers. Josie enjoys spending time with her family, attending her children’s events, reading, and traveling.
Emily Olson
Director of Development
Emily is excited and grateful to join the CMHFH team as the new Director of Development! Since her church youth group and college years, Emily has had a connection to Habitat for Humanity through volunteer builds in South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, and Kentucky.
With 22 years of nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and development experience, Emily looks forward to getting to know the greater St. Cloud community and the 4-county area that CMHFH serves, and sharing her gifts and cultivating new partnerships and resources for CMHFH and their clients.
Emily graduated from Luther College in 1998 with a B.A. in Communication/Linguistics, and from Luther Seminary in 2000 with a MA in Youth and Family Ministry. In addition to working in the nonprofit space, Emily loves to read and watch movies, sing and play music, cook, lift weights and walk, travel, and attend baseball of any kind. She lives in Cottage Grove with her husband, Bryan, and 11-year-old son, Kenneth, and their three cats, Misty, Badger, and Mario.
Marc Stiller
Construction Supervisor
Marc has over 20 years of experience. He is excited to be able to make a difference in our community. When he isn’t at work he is busy with his six children.