Team

EPLN’s stories and photos are produced by a small staff of full- and part-time reporters and editors with backgrounds in journalism, as well as contributions from freelance editors, writers, and photographers. Contractors and volunteer efforts also support our hyperlocal news organization.

We welcome new writers, photographers, and those with other skills and talents to contribute to this citizen-run nonprofit. To learn more about EPLN, contact us!

Editors

Stuart Sudak, editor in chief
Joanna Werch Takes, managing editor

Staff Reporters

Rachel Hoppe, general assignment
Maddie Robinson, schools

Community Calendar

Amy Nylander

Sales and Advertising

Mark H. Weber

Social Media Coordinator

Brianna Collett

Technology

Ben Hymans
Vimala Anandaraj

Board of Directors

Mark H. Weber – CEO/Publisher – background in newspaper management, digital marketing, and ad sales (ex officio board member)
Nancy Tyra-Lukens – Chair – 35-year resident, longtime mayor of Eden Prairie
Carol Bomben – Vice Chair – former Eden Prairie School Board chair, 33-year resident
Kelly Salwei – CFO – retired CPA and former principal with Olsen Thielen in Eden Prairie
Ben Hymans – CTO – technologist and Eden Prairie resident
Anne Byrne – Secretary – attorney, experienced nonprofit board member
Charlie Crocker – advertising director, public policy communication, Eden Prairie Schools alum
Dan Ness – marketer and digital and public relations leader, former community journalist
David Teigland – city clerk, City of Eden Prairie, former newspaper copy editor
Frank Farrell – attorney and 28-year Eden Prairie resident
Molly Lyons – retired human resources professional; former 27-year resident of Eden Prairie
Rod Anderson – former senior pastor at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie

Active Freelance Contributors

This category includes freelance and volunteer writers and reporters, photographers, editors, grant writers, members of our community outreach team, graphic designers, and more.

Amber D. Stoner
Andrea Justus
Angelo Gentile
Carrie Brunsberg (Eden Prairie Library liaison)
Denise Beusen
Dennis Buster
Diana van Deusen
Frank Farrell
Gillian Holte
Gretchen Haynes
Hayden Koughan
Hunter Friesen
Jean Sanchez
Jeff Strate (former board member)
Jenn Neinaber
Jeremy Peyer
Jim Bayer (former editor: 2021-2023)
Jody Carey
John Jarvis
Juliana Allen (former schools reporter: 2022-2025)
Kelley Regan
Lea Jacobson
Lynette Kalsnes (Minnesota Landscape Arboretum liaison)
Maddie Binning
Mark A. Weber (former board member)
Maxwell Mars
Mehri McLaughlin
Michael Koebnick
Mike Wilkinson
Mollee Francisco
Pastor Rod Anderson
Rachel Engstrom
Renee Rushdy
Rick Olson
Robin Silverman
Stan Tekiela
Steve Mulholland
Steve Schewe
Steve Silverman
Susannah Smith
Trish Vanni
Will Annett
Zaheer Babar Khan

Special Thanks

Brad Canham – Founding Editor
David Lindahl – Founding Board Member – former economic development director, City of Eden Prairie
Dean Edstrom – Founding Board Member – attorney, former Eden Prairie City Council Member
Jeff Strate – Founding Board Member – Twin Cities and East Coast television producer, writer and journalist
Jenifer Loon – Honorary & Founding Board Member – Former Minnesota State Representative, community leader
Mark A. Weber – Founding Board Member – former publisher of Eden Prairie News, former president of Eden Prairie Community Foundation
Roy Terwilliger – Founding Board Member – Former Eden Prairie banker, former Minnesota State Senator
Steve Schewe – CEO/Publisher 2022-2025 – former business consultant; dedicated volunteer
Vijay Dixit – Founding Board Member – retired business executive, founder and chairman of Shreya R. Dixit Memorial Foundation