Eslinger recently retired from Northern Michigan University where he served as the Dean of the College of Technology and Occupational Sciences, Associate Vice President for Workforce and Economic Development, and co-founded the idea incubator Invent@NMU. He has been active in the Marquette County and Upper Peninsula workforce and economic development issues for more than two decades.
“I am passionate about our community and the Upper Peninsula, and I know firsthand how non-profit organizations together with public and private institutions contribute to community development,” Eslinger said. “We’re in this together.”
Gonstead has been an active volunteer in the Upper Peninsula for more than 20 years, and has served on the boards of the Noquemanon Trail Network and the Yellow Dog Watershed, and on the marketing committee of the Big Bay Stewardship Council. She and her husband Sven launched the Big Bay summer concert series in 2018 in Powell Township. She also devotes her time to the Big Bay Fall Fest, the Big Bay Pathway, the Honey Bear Classic, and other causes and organizations.
“After years of serving on boards and volunteering one realizes the vast web of resources needed by each and every organization.” Gonstead said. “I am honored to have a seat on the Foundation Board of Trustees that brings those resources together because ‘together’ is the way we can make the most impact.”