Meet Our Team

Jim McMerty, originally from Fargo, North Dakota, earned his Accounting degree from Moorhead State University. After starting his own CPA firm at just 26, he also taught upper-level accounting classes at Moorhead State for several years. In 1992, Jim entered the catering world with minimal resources but a lot of drive, growing the business into a leading company that now includes aviation catering and a commercial bakery. As founder of Mintahoe Catering & Events, Jim remains active in the company’s planning and venue partnerships, committed to building meaningful connections within the catering and events industry.

Suzi McMerty, with over 30 years of catering industry expertise, has played a pivotal role in the growth of Mintahoe Catering & Events. A graduate of the College of Saint Benedict, where she studied Psychology, Suzi initially worked in the field before joining her family’s business. Starting at the front desk, she quickly moved into sales, booking the company’s largest event at the time, serving 2,500 guests. Under her leadership as Sales Manager, Mintahoe has become the largest privately-owned catering company in Minnesota. Now the Co-President of Mintahoe, she continues to drive innovation. Suzi is also actively involved in the community and industry, serving on the Board of the International Caterers Association and Chair of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Committee.

Shawn McMerty graduated from the University of North Dakota with degrees in Finance and Marketing and officially joined Mintahoe Catering & Events in 2009, though he’d been talking business with Jim long before that. Now Co-President alongside Suzi Shands, Shawn leads everything from Finance and HR to Back of the House Operations, PFS Delivery, Atikis Minnesota, and Authentic Gourmet Bakeshop. He also manages the relationships with Mintahoe’s tenants. Shawn’s leadership earned him a spot on the prestigious Leading Caterers of America Steering Committee in 2022 and 2023.

Adam Sullivan is the Director of Operations at Mintahoe Catering & Events, where he applies his extensive expertise in hospitality and operations management. Adam studied Business Management at the University of Nevada, Reno and previously worked as a restaurant General Manager, gaining valuable experience in leading teams and ensuring seamless operations. In his current role, he oversees the logistics and execution of events, ensuring that every detail is handled with precision. Adam’s leadership and dedication make him an invaluable asset to Mintahoe, consistently contributing to the company's reputation for delivering outstanding events.

Jenny has been part of the Mintahoe family since high school, starting as a server and growing into a seasoned event professional. Though she initially pursued studies in music and speech therapy, her passion for events led her to build a career in catering. With a deep appreciation for exceptional service and seamless execution, Jenny thrives on supporting her team and sharing her industry knowledge to ensure every event is a success.

She loves the ever-changing nature of the catering world—no two days are the same! Jenny is always up for a challenge and is known for her quick thinking and creative problem-solving, inspiring the phrase "WWJD: What Would Jenny Do?" among her team.

Jenny is TIPS trained and ServeSafe Certified. Outside of work, she keeps busy with her large family of six children, raises backyard chickens (earning her the title of “office egg dealer”), and isn’t afraid to experiment with unique culinary creations—she even made hot sauce caviar for a gala! She credits Mintahoe with expanding her palate, especially when it comes to mushrooms.

With years of experience and plenty of behind-the-scenes stories (including a champagne cork mishap that nearly took out her best friend’s eye!), Jenny’s love for the industry shines through in everything she does.

Rachel Larson is an experienced and passionate Marketing Manager at Mintahoe Catering & Events, bringing over 20 years of expertise in the hospitality industry. A proud University of Minnesota graduate with a background in Communications, Spanish, and Leadership, Rachel blends her creativity and strategic vision to drive Mintahoe's continued success. With a deep understanding of both marketing and hospitality, she crafts meaningful strategies that connect with clients and elevate every event.

Rachel's dedication extends beyond her role at Mintahoe, as she currently serves as the Director of Marketing for the National Association for Catering & Events (NACE). She has also been involved with the Minnesota Restaurant Association's Board of Directors. Always eager to stay connected and grow, Rachel finds joy in learning and contributing to the industry that fuels her passion for creating unforgettable experiences.

Benjamin brings a creative blend of artistry and strategy to the Mintahoe team. With a bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of Minnesota and extensive experience in personal and freelance marketing for musicians, record labels, and social media influencers, he thrives at the intersection of creativity and connection.

Having worked his way through nearly every role in hospitality—from dishwasher to bartender—Benjamin understands the power of teamwork and the joy of bringing ideas to life. Whether it’s a wedding, a social campaign, or a beautifully crafted dish, he’s inspired by seeing concepts turn into reality.

Outside of work, Benjamin can be found rock climbing, performing with local indie rock bands, or playing the bagpipes—yes, really.

Amanda Cofield, Controller of Mintahoe Catering & Events, plays a vital role in ensuring the company’s financial health and smooth operations. With a BA in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota Duluth and an Accounting Certificate from St. Catherine University, Amanda has expertly managed Mintahoe’s accounting and HR teams for over three years. Her leadership and attention to detail are key to the company's ongoing success, making her an integral part of the Mintahoe family.

With over 20 years of Human Resources experience, Diane Backes brings deep expertise supporting fast-paced, people-centered organizations. Their background spans recruiting and onboarding, employee relations, benefits administration, compliance, and payroll, with extensive experience in high-volume, dynamic work environments. Drawn to industries that value teamwork, collaboration, and a strong workplace culture, Diane is motivated by supporting both leadership and staff while creating systems that help teams thrive. They enjoy the variety and collaboration that comes with HR—no two days are ever the same—and find it especially rewarding to work behind the scenes to ensure operations run smoothly. Diane loves the water—oceans, lakes, and rivers. Being near water is their happy place.

Eric graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2014 and began his accounting and payroll career at the end of 2016, amassing over 8 years of experience in the field. Most recently, he worked as an accountant for a mid-sized debt collection agency before joining the team here. His entry into the food and catering industry came through a temp agency, but he stuck around for the food—and, of course, the people!

What motivates Eric in his role is the challenge of creating well-organized processes with minimal room for error, often achieving this through his expertise in Excel. He finds it incredibly rewarding to be part of a company that provides unforgettable experiences, especially after his previous work in the debt collection world.

Outside of work, Eric enjoys spending time with his wife, Jill, their two dogs, and two rabbits.

Fun Fact: Eric is an Excel wizard and he is a proud pet parent, though he doesn't have kids…yet!

Tracy’s culinary journey began at age 13, working in his parents' restaurant. After high school in Minnetonka, he worked his way up through various restaurants, eventually becoming Sous Chef at Canterbury Downs in 1988. Tracy’s talents caught the attention of Knotts Berry Farm, where he served as Executive Sous Chef for two restaurants before joining Mintahoe Catering & Events in 1998. Tracy quickly became Mintahoe’s Executive Chef, and his leadership has been crucial to the company’s growth and success.

Tracy is inspired and motivated by the challenges of the kitchen and working with a dedicated team. He enjoys the constant change and the opportunity to create successful events.

Fun Fact: Tracy is an ice fishing enthusiast!

With over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Rebekah brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. Holding a BS from UW-Eau Claire, she has held leadership positions managing chain restaurants and seasonal resorts. Most recently, she served as an event coordinator and venue manager at an event center and wedding barn in northwest Wisconsin.

Rebekah’s passion for hospitality began while working as a waitress and bartender during college. She has gained experience in diverse environments, from local establishments to the vibrant club scene in San Francisco. Her motivation stems from the opportunity to connect with new people and create distinctive, unforgettable experiences for each client.
What Rebekah Loves Most About Her Work: Rebekah enjoys the dynamic nature of her role—every day brings something new and exciting.

Fun Fact: Rebekah finds balance and inspiration through her love of gardening, camping, and spending time in the great outdoors.

Samantha’s journey in the world of events and weddings began at Gustavus Adolphus College, where she earned a BA in Business Management and English. From there, she spent nine years at a national event management firm, working her way through roles like Event Coordinator, Program Manager, and Account Manager—gaining invaluable experience managing and selling large-scale corporate and social events across the country.
Samantha got her first taste of the industry in college, serving in restaurants and volunteering on a gala event planning team for a non-profit. After graduation, she dove in headfirst with an internship on a corporate meeting planning team in Hawaii, discovering her passion for crafting unforgettable experiences.
For the past five years, Samantha has embraced freelance wedding planning, bringing her adaptable, client-focused approach to life’s most meaningful moments. She loves the dynamic nature of the industry—every event is a fresh challenge, and she finds fulfillment in turning ideas into reality.
Outside of work, Samantha enjoys gardening, traveling, discovering new restaurants, and spending time with her husband and two young kids. A fun fact? She once got stung by a jellyfish! And of course, she’s always up for a cold glass of rosé and a good football game.

Steve graduated with a degree in Business Administration, along with minors in Psychology and Computer Science. He found the diverse subjects within his business degree, such as Marketing, Human Behavior, Accounting, and Economics, all to be incredibly engaging. Growing up in a food service family, his father ran college and corporate cafeterias across the Upper Midwest. This exposure to the industry ignited Steve's passion for hospitality.

While in college, Steve's parents purchased a small catering company, and he spent the next two summers learning the ropes—washing dishes, buttering buns, cutting fruit, and serving up delicious ribs and chicken. Upon graduation in 1981, during the recession, Steve was invited to run the family business. He quickly realized that managing a small business was the perfect opportunity to apply his business education. Some of his notable achievements included orchestrating a 1,000-person pig roast for 3M, which eventually grew into multiple division picnics, and executing a 5,600-person picnic with a grill-on-site menu, served in just 100 minutes.

After 15 years of running his own business, Steve joined the McMertys, bringing his large-group catering expertise to the team. He also introduced technology and modern systems, transitioning the company from using carbon paper to more efficient digital processes.

What inspires Steve most in his role is the ability to please people and say no as little as possible. He loves meeting new people and making them look good, always striving to exceed expectations and create memorable experiences.

When he’s not busy with catering and events, Steve is an avid tennis player and serves as the president of a local 250-member ski club. The club organizes exciting ski trips in the Western U.S. and internationally, ensuring plenty of adventure year-round.

Salena brings a strong foundation in hospitality to her role, holding a bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management with a focus on event planning. Her career began with an internship at Paddleford Riverboats, where she worked her way up from crew member to event assistant—sparking a passion for every facet of the event world. Since then, she’s built well-rounded experience in event sales, planning, catering, marketing, and venue management.

Salena is especially drawn to weddings and social celebrations, finding joy in helping people bring their most meaningful moments to life. Before joining Mintahoe, she was the Wedding & Social Events CSM at the Hewing Hotel, where her team won Best Wedding Night Hotel in both 2023 and 2025.

Fun facts: A lifelong dancer, Salena teaches hip hop, jazz funk, and heels technique at KLASS MSP and Hothouse Dance Studio. She’s also a talented singer and songwriter—she even auditioned for The Voice at 16 and continues to write music with her husband.

Alyssa holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Reno, where she was recognized on the Dean’s List for three years. She began her journey with Mintahoe as a Project Coordinator Intern in 2024 and quickly found her passion in the high-energy, behind-the-scenes world of events.
Now as an Event Support Specialist, Alyssa thrives on the detailed planning, organization, and teamwork required to bring each event to life. She’s especially inspired by the seamless communication across departments that turns a vision into a memorable experience for clients and guests alike.
Fun fact: Alyssa recently explored Italy and Greece, diving into the rich history, culture—and most importantly, the cuisine. She’s now a proud Greek salad enthusiast!

Haley brings a rich background and boundless enthusiasm to her role as an Event Coordinator. With an Associate’s degree in Communication and a passion for creating unforgettable celebrations, her journey into the events industry began during college, where she worked as a banquet server at a wedding venue. While serving, Haley discovered her love for the setup and planning aspects of weddings. As the Special Events Chair for her college organization, she refined her skills by organizing formals, fundraisers, and other events.

After college, Haley worked as a day-of coordinator for a local wedding planner, where she fell in love with helping couples bring their dreams to life. She later gained valuable experience as an Event Coordinator for a Minneapolis restaurant group and continued to pursue her passion for weddings and special events.

Haley is inspired by the joy and excitement of wedding days, particularly seeing all the intricate details come together to create someone’s happiest moments. She thrives on staying up-to-date with the latest wedding trends and loves watching couples incorporate them into their big day.

Fun fact: Haley has been a vegetarian for 24 years!

Carol brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role, with an AAS in Business & Marketing Management, an AA in Communications, and extensive experience in event planning, promotions, and catering. Her background includes six years in the music industry as a promotions manager and booking agent, managing two record labels, and working as a campus event assistant at Normandale Community College, where she also served as President of the Normandale Program Board.

Having worked in the food industry for over 25 years and as a nursing assistant for 22 years, Carol transitioned to events and catering full-time in 2019. She finds joy in the energy of events, the diversity of cultures and traditions, and the fast-paced environment that aligns perfectly with her dynamic work style.

Fun Fact: Carol has toured with big names in the music industry and comes from a family of published authors. She has also won awards for her poetry and has a love for pizza, which she enjoys sharing with her kids.

Ruby brings over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, with a background in restaurant service and catering management. She studied at Winona State University, initially pursuing business management before earning a degree in liberal arts and sciences. Her passion for hospitality led her to a role as Catering Manager at South Dakota State University, where she deepened her expertise in event coordination.

What motivates Ruby most is seeing an event come together just as her clients envisioned—or even better! She thrives on exceeding expectations, ensuring every detail contributes to a seamless and memorable experience. Building genuine connections with clients is at the heart of her work, and she loves creating an atmosphere of trust that leads to lasting partnerships for future events.

Beyond her career in catering and events, Ruby serves as a Culinary Specialist in the Army National Guard, a role she has proudly held since 2015. Outside of work, she enjoys spending as much time as possible outdoors with her two dogs, attending live music events with friends, and cherishing quality time with family. She also has a passion for cooking and baking, always finding joy in sharing homemade sweets with loved ones.

Joe Kunesh brings nearly three decades of experience in foodservice sales, building a career defined by strong relationships and a deep appreciation for teamwork. A graduate of the University of Minnesota–Minneapolis with a BA in English, Joe discovered early on that his strengths and interests aligned more naturally with sales, where he found both opportunity and long-term fulfillment.

Over the past 27 years, Joe has developed a passion for the collaborative nature of the food and beverage industry. He is especially motivated by the coordination and communication required to successfully execute each order—recognizing the vital role every individual plays in the process. For Joe, there’s nothing more rewarding than working alongside a dedicated team to achieve a shared goal.

While he keeps a low profile when it comes to accolades, Joe’s longevity and consistency in the industry speak volumes about his expertise and commitment.

Outside of work, Joe has a sense of adventure that dates back to his early years. Before college, he spent three years in California working as a white-water rafting guide and ski instructor—experiences that reflect both his love for the outdoors and his ability to lead and connect with people in dynamic environments.