Meet Our Team

Jim, 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.

With over 30 years of catering industry expertise, Suzi 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 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 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.

Amanda serves as Controller for Mintahoe Catering & Events, overseeing accounting and financial operations across multiple business entities. Her roots in hospitality run deep, having spent many years working as both a server and manager at her family's restaurant. Her early experiences also included helping her grandfather at his booth at the Renaissance Festival, creating a lifelong connection to the hospitality industry.

With accounting and financial management experience across a variety of industries, including public accounting with CPA firms, Amanda brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. She works closely with company leadership to strengthen financial processes, improve efficiencies, and support sound business decisions.

Amanda holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota Duluth and an Accounting Certificate from St. Catherine University. Her hands-on management approach and commitment to continuous improvement are central to her work at Mintahoe.

Outside of work, Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband and growing family, especially her new granddaughter. She loves spending time at her family's cabin, getting together with friends, and taking on the occasional half marathon.

Rachel 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.

With over 20 years of Human Resources experience, Diane 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.

With more than 20 years of experience in communications, marketing, relationship management, and event coordination, Cheryl brings a passion for people and a genuine love of creating meaningful experiences. Her career has spanned healthcare, technology, and business, but one thing has always remained the same: her dedication to making others feel welcomed, valued, and cared for.

What Cheryl enjoys most about the events industry is bringing people together and seeing all the behind-the-scenes details come to life. She loves building relationships, collaborating with others, and helping create memorable moments that leave a lasting impression.

Outside of work, Cheryl enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and embracing Minnesota’s outdoors in every season. She's also a proud Vikings and Twins fan and loves spending time in the kitchen, especially when making her famous “award-winning” cheesy potatoes!

Meghan brings more than a decade of experience in event sales, planning, and marketing to her role as Sales Manager at Mintahoe. A University of Minnesota graduate with a degree in Communications, she has built her career helping clients navigate everything from corporate gatherings to weddings and social celebrations. Her background spans event coordination, on-site execution, and sales leadership, giving her an understanding of what it takes to bring an event from the first conversation to the final details.

At Mintahoe, Meghan leads and mentors the sales team while working closely with venue, culinary, and operations teams to create a thoughtful, cohesive client experience. She brings an organized, collaborative approach to her work, with an emphasis on clear communication and strong relationships. For Meghan, the most rewarding part of events is seeing the people, ideas, and details come together—and helping clients feel confident and cared for along the way.

Outside of work, Meghan enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, yoga, and cheering on her favorite sports teams!

Morgan’s journey in the hospitality and events industry began as a part-time server during college at the University of Minnesota. The Nicollet Island Pavilion was always a convenient and flexible option for her to pick up shifts, and this experience sparked her passion for event planning. Over time, Morgan transitioned into operations, and eventually moved to the sales & planning side, where her in-depth understanding of events from every angle truly shines.

What inspires Morgan most in her role is the opportunity to be part of couples’ most important day. She loves contributing to their vision and ensuring their celebration is everything they’ve dreamed of. Having been a part of thousands of weddings, Morgan is constantly inspired by how each one is unique and brings its own special energy to the team.

Morgan is proud to work in a field that allows her to be creative, problem-solve, and most of all, create meaningful, unforgettable experiences for her clients.

When she’s not working, Morgan loves to travel and is a huge Minnesota Vikings fan. She even made it to London to see the Vikings play!

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!

Janet brings a wealth of experience and creativity to our team, with a passion for pastry that goes beyond the ordinary. With an associate degree in Hospitality Management and specialized training in sugarpaste flowers, wedding cakes, and chocolate decoration, she has honed her craft through both formal education and hands-on experience.

Her journey in the culinary world began with an internship at a small catering company, where she quickly discovered her love for baking. That passion grew into a career, leading her to develop award-winning dessert presentations and stay at the forefront of industry trends. Janet thrives on innovation, constantly experimenting with new techniques and flavors to create fun and unique desserts.

A founding member of the Pastry Professionals Association (MN), Janet played a key role in organizing national pastry seminars, bringing together top pastry chefs and aspiring students. She holds multiple certifications from the International School of Confectionary Arts, including Chocolate Decoration, Wedding Cake Decoration, and Gumpaste Flowers, along with additional certifications in Advanced Fondant and Sugarpaste Flowers.

Beyond her love for pastry, Janet enjoys making and eating Puerto Rican food and giving back to the community. She serves on the board of the Minneapolis Nature Preschool, where her son graduated in 2019.

For Leah, the best part of event planning is bringing people together and turning big ideas into unforgettable experiences. With a background in hospitality, venue management, and event production, she loves combining creativity, thoughtful planning, and a little problem-solving to make every celebration feel special.

A graduate of the University of Minnesota with a Design Foundations Certificate from MCAD, Leah brings an artistic eye and a genuine passion for people to everything she does. When she’s not bringing events to life, you’ll likely find her exploring her love of photography, design, and creative projects that connect people and inspire new ideas.

Nathaniel brings more than 18 years of experience in hospitality and event management, with a background spanning events, food and beverage, and venue operations. Over the course of his career, he has developed a passion for creating exceptional guest experiences and has grown into his current role as Venue Manager, where he oversees weddings, private events, and venue operations from start to finish.

Nathaniel was drawn to the hospitality industry because of its fast-paced environment and the opportunity to work closely with people. What started as a job quickly became a passion for bringing people together through memorable experiences. He is motivated by the challenge of turning a client’s vision into reality while ensuring guests feel welcomed, celebrated, and cared for throughout every event.

What Nathaniel enjoys most about the industry is the creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving that go into each event. He finds it especially rewarding to watch months of planning come together and see guests enjoying meaningful moments and lasting memories.

Outside of work, Nathaniel enjoys traveling and adventure, having backpacked through Thailand, Peru, and Ecuador. He also loves hiking, spending time with family, being outdoors, and occasionally relaxing with a good movie or video game.

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 a Venue Manager, 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!

McKenna, brings a passion for thoughtful planning and seamless experiences to the Mintahoe team. Her career in events began on the waters of Lake Minnetonka, hosting and planning events aboard charter yachts. From there, her path took her to Colorado, where she spent several years working in event marketing, luxury events, and hospitality before returning to Minnesota.

What she enjoys most about the industry is the combination of creativity, relationships, and problem-solving that goes into bringing an event to life. She thrives on the fast pace and variety of events, finding inspiration in the craft behind a seamless experience and the opportunity to transform each client’s unique vision into reality.

Outside of events, health and wellness are a big part of her life. She is a licensed holistic nutritionist and Pilates instructor, bringing the same passion for creating meaningful experiences to everything she does.

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!

Alexis brings a genuine passion for people and events to the Mintahoe team. With a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, she began her hospitality career right out of high school as a banquet and event server at Union Depot in downtown St. Paul. As school took her to different states, she continued working in banquets and events, building a deep appreciation for the industry along the way.

For Alexis, the most rewarding part of her role
is helping bring some of life’s most meaningful moments to life. She loves the journey of event day, from the behind-the-scenes details and diligent preparation to coaching clients through decisions that allow them to feel confident, satisfied, and stress-free when their celebration finally arrives.

A Minneapolis native, Alexis has a special connection to many of Mintahoe’s venues. She grew up near Leopold’s Mississippi Gardens, attended DeLaSalle High School just steps from Nicollet Island Pavilion, and now lives blocks from Solar Arts in Northeast Minneapolis. Coordinating events in the places she grew up loving makes her work feel especially close to home.

Victoria brings a passion for creativity, connection, and helping others to the Mintahoe team. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communication and marketing from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Her career in the events industry began as a venue coordinator, where she quickly fell in love with weddings and the creative details that make each celebration unique.

What Victoria enjoys most is being a trusted source of knowledge for couples as they navigate the planning process. She loves helping people who may not know where to begin feel confident in their decisions, all while watching their personalities and ideas come to life on event day. Her work has contributed to recognition including Best of The Knot, Best of Zola, and a Bronze award for Star Tribune Minnesota’s Best Wedding Venue.

Outside of work, Victoria can be found hosting trivia and spending time with dogs whenever she gets the chance.

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.

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.

Derrick's passion for food led him to spend six years as a personal chef, where he had the privilege of serving athletes, small families, and special events. His love for cooking, paired with the creative freedom of flight catering, brought him to Atikis in October 2015. Initially starting as a delivery driver, Derrick quickly rose to the role of manager, where he continues to bring his culinary expertise to the team.

What drives Derrick in his role is the people he works with and the everyday challenges of providing exceptional food to top executives, families, and athletes. He thrives on the unpredictable nature of the job, embracing each day as an opportunity to create something unique and extraordinary. The excitement of never knowing exactly what the day will bring keeps him motivated and energized.

Derrick is proud to be a part of Atikis, which has earned recognition as the number one catering service for NetJets, one of the largest flight companies in the U.S. He is also a member of the Minnesota Business Aviation Association (MBAA), a testament to his dedication to the industry.

Outside of work, Derrick enjoys bass fishing, ice fishing, and gardening. He especially loves watching his kids play sports, making family time a top priority.

Joe 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.