Our Staff | Southwest Regional Development Commission

Our team is here to provide professional expertise and leadership to enhance regional opportunities in Southwest Minnesota. We can be reached anytime via phone or email.

Leadership

Jayme (Jay) Trusty

Executive Director

(507) 836-1636

About Jay Trusty

Jay joined SRDC in 2001 and has several decades of experience in public service. Under his leadership, SRDC has become an active member of the Rural Minnesota Broadband Coalition and has been a leading region in clean energy initiatives. Jay is an active board member for multiple organizations throughout Minnesota, including his role as the current Chair of the Minnesota Rural Broadband Coalition.

Jay has a master’s degree in public administration from St. Cloud State University and a bachelor’s degree in Government from St. John’s University and has former experience as the Lincoln, Lyon, Murray and Pipestone Public Health Services Administrator, a Special Projects Administrator at the Mid-Minnesota Development Commission, and has served in the United States Army Reserve. Jay oversees the daily operations of the Commission and its programs. Jay works directly on broadband and legislative initiatives, as well as representing the Commission in the community and at the state and federal level.

About Jay

Robin Weis

Deputy Director

(507) 836-1638

About Robin

Robin joined SRDC in 1998, and initially began her regional development career with the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging and RSVP of SW MN, then programs within the SRDC. Robin directs the economic development initiatives within the organization, including administration of the Revolving Loan Funds and Property Assessed Clean Energy programs and contracted Revolving Loan Funds. Robin also provides assistance with economic development and business projects, providing guidance and assistance on EDA grants.

Robin is a graduate of Southwest State University (now Southwest Minnesota State University) in Marshall and serves as an active board member for multiple organizations throughout Minnesota.

About Robin

Planning

Jason Walker

Development & Energy Planner

(507) 836-1642

About Jason

Jason joined SRDC in 2019. His work includes renewable energy planning, leading Active Living and Safe Routes to School Planning, and assisting local units of government and organizations with Strategic Planning Efforts. Jason is the staff to the Southwest Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) and to the Rural Minnesota Energy Board.

Jason came to SRDC with several years of experience in administration and adult education at Muscatine Community College in Iowa, as a Community Development Specialist in Illinois, as well as experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Jason has a master’s degree in public administration from Western Illinois University and a Bachelors Degree in Internal Affairs/French from Morningside College.

About Jason

Rosemary Bruce-White

Development & Transportation Planner

(507) 836-1633

About Rosemary

Rosemary joined SRDC in 2019. Her work includes Comprehensive Planning, leading the regional economic resiliency planning efforts, and assisting local units of government in transportation, land-use, and solid waste management planning. Rosemary is the lead staff on the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Planning Grant and is staff to the Southwest Minnesota Solid Waste Commission.

Rosemary co-leads the Regional Trails Planning efforts alongside team member Jessica Welu. Rosemary has a bachelor's degree in Economics and Community & Regional Planning from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, and has experience as a planning assistant intern for the City of Ames.

About Rosemary

Jessica Welu

Communications Planner/Specialist

(507) 836-1644

About Jessica

Jessica joined SRDC in 2018. Her work includes leading the development and implementation of SRDC’s Comprehensive Communications Plan, maintaining and directing all external marketing and communications for SRDC and communications to the Commission, and assisting local units of government, organizations, and businesses with communications, marketing, and outreach planning and technical services.

Jessica co-leads the Regional Trails Planning efforts alongside team member Rosemary Bruce-White and is the communications staff to Explore Southwest Minnesota and Friends of the Casey Jones State Trail. She coordinates marketing and outreach activities, facilitates website maintenance, digital marketing, and event planning, and oversees the branding for SRDC, Friends of the Casey Jones State Trail and Explore Southwest Minnesota.

Jessica is a board member of the Southwest Regional Arts Council. She is a Certified Public Communicator through Texas Christian University, has a master’s degree in Creative Writing and Literature from Minnesota State University—Mankato, and has a bachelor’s degree in Professional Writing & Communications and Creative Writing & Literature from Southwest Minnesota State University.

About Jessica

Kim Murphy

Development Planner

(507) 836-1631

About Kim

Kim joined SRDC in March 2023 as a Development Planner. Her work consists of community development projects.

Kim is a lifelong resident of Southwest Minnesota. She comes to SRDC with experience in local government.

About Kim

Finance & Administration

Melissa Nelson

Finance Director

(507) 836-1646

About Melissa

Melissa joined SRDC in 2022 as our Accounting Specialist and transitioned to our Finance Director in March 2023, bringing years of experience in payroll and finance services. Melissa has previous experience working with businesses in the region and is a long-time Slayton resident.

About Melissa

Kathy Schreiber

Administrative Specialist

(507) 836-1640

About Kathy

Kathy joined SRDC in 1993. Over the course of her extensive career at SRDC and volunteer experience within the Slayton community, Kathy has developed a passion for working with people. Her work

includes administrative assistance to leadership and planning staff, including assistance on the Revolving Loan Funds program and with the Commission, as well as assisting with finance department duties.

About Kathy

Open Position

Accounting Specialist