Meet Our Team
MIKE MULLIN, executive director (interim)
Mike joined Habitat in February 2021 as interim executive director. He brings forty-five years of top-level leadership experience as a Principal, Chief Administrator, President, Development Director, Teacher, Coach, and Business Manager — plus a few other roles. Mike also served as a volunteer Director/Trustee on a dozen or more Boards – elected to serve as Chair for several of those – while serving as the professional CEO (reporting to the Board) for a total of twenty-three years. He has been recognized with dozens of awards from organizations such as Rotary International, Habitat for Humanity, Boy Scouts of America, Catholic Charities, and various others. In 2018, Mike founded Without a Vision Consultancy LLC, a privately-owned company focused on working with individuals, organizations, businesses, and non-profits wanting to be bigger, better, stronger, healthier, happier. He brings myriad experiences from thirteen different and specific leadership roles spanning more than fifty years. Through his business he delivers confidence, clarity, and companionship to the organization and its leadership after customizing a plan based on listening and learning before responding or recommending. Mullin lives in Saint Cloud, Minnesota with his wife Laurie of forty years. Together they have raised eleven children and happily serve now as grandparents to ten. |
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. |
JESSICA DAHL, volunteer coordinator
Jessica is the newest member of our team, joining us in 2020 after spending several years managing a corporate volunteer program and administration team in the Twin Cities. She is excited to dedicate her professional life to the Habitat mission and loves connecting volunteers with opportunities to contribute to the communities they live and work in. She also enjoys serving in marketing and communications capacities for CMHFH and you'll see her taking photos and creating social media posts when she's out on our construction sites or at our special events. Jessica and her husband, Nate, live in Sartell and relocated to the area from Hudson, WI a few years ago. They have two daughters that keep them busy. In their spare time they enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, being active, and testing out new recipes in the kitchen. Jessica also has a passion for home remodeling and design, so you’ll likely find her planning their next project whenever she has a free moment. |
EILEEN BITZAN, client and homeowner services
Eileen has served for 13 years with area nonprofit organizations in roles such as as program director, outreach coordinator, and volunteer coordinator. Prior to that, she worked as an administrator in student development at the College of St. Benedict. Eileen has three adult children and enjoys biking, hiking, and reading in her free time. |
ART BUHS, construction manager
Art has been building for 47 years and operated a successful residential homebuilding business for 27 years. He also previously served on the CMHFH Board of Directors and Construction Committee. Art enjoys spending time with his wife, their three sons, and 8 grandchildren. He and his family stay busy managing several small businesses. |
FUNWI TITA, donor and community relations
Funwi joined our Habitat team in December of 2018 and works closely with our donors, business partners, local vendors, grants, and media. His work background includes a strong non-profit experience both domestically and internationally. Funwi loves meeting and serving alongside all people, and is passionate about our mission. His enthusiasm is contagious, and his many life stories are fascinating. Funwi and his young family have lived and worked in our service area for years, coming to this country over 15 years ago to earn his college degree. He remains most entertained and amused by the wonderful features of our winters—not. |
KRIS LEHMAN, faith and donor relations
Kris Lehman joined Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity in August 2011. Having worked as the Missions Coordinator at Atonement Lutheran Church, her connections with local churches and non-profits have been helpful to her in her role. Social justice, advocacy and compassion for the homeless, hungry and marginalized are important to Kris. She appreciates that Habitat empowers families and provides a long-term sustainable solution, through affordable homeownership. She holds a bachelors degree in Elementary and Phys Ed from Concordia College in Moorhead, and enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, walking, biking, and volunteering. She and her husband Greg have three adult children. |
JESSICA MACY, office manager
Jessica’s background is in accounting and analysis, and she is excited to apply that experience at Habitat. The core values of partnership and empowerment resonate especially well with her desire to see people come together in the community. Jessica lives in Sauk Rapids, and enjoys reading, knitting, and spending time with friends and family. |