DES MOINES, Iowa, Oct. 24, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- A roster of nationally acclaimed experts weighs in on the future and fortunes of Minnesota at a major conference in Minneapolis, November 1-2, 2006.
Sponsored by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (Minnesota is in its district), "Capitalizing on Rural America - Minnesota" is designed to introduce local leaders and community bankers to new models for everything from economic development to capital formation.
Headliners include:
Ben Stein, comedian, lawyer, actor, professor, and finance guru best known for his nerdy role in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," and as host of Comedy Central's "Win Ben Stein's Money." As conference keynoter, Stein applies his talent and background to issues facing rural America.
Bill Kurtis, distinguished journalist, Emmy Award-winning producer of A&E's "Cold Case Files" and "Investigative Reports," and angel investor in the small town of Sedan, Kansas. Kurtis facilitates a town meeting with panelists from Minnesota and the audience on the state's future. Panelists:
Doug Grow, metro columnist, Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Sandy Layman, commissioner, Iron Range Resources, Eveleth
Brian Nicklason, president, Woodland Bank, Remer
Marty Shukert, partner in RDG Planning & Design, specialists,
small-town revitalization
Andy Wells, entrepreneur and CEO, Wells Technology, Bemidji
Tom Walker, creator of the national model to develop an entrepreneurial economy on how to turn innovation into a business. He is COO of i2E in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Jack Schultz, author of "Boomtown USA: The 7 1/2 Keys to Big Success in Small Towns." Schultz is CEO of Agracel in Effingham, Illinois.
Andrew Skadberg, chief knowledge officer of AdventGX in College Station, Texas, focuses on tourism as an economic development strategy.
"Capitalizing on Rural America - Minnesota" will be held at the Sheraton Bloomington Hotel, Minneapolis South, Minneapolis. For more information, contact Angie Richards at 800.544.3452, ext. 1014, or arichards@fhlbdm.com.
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines is a wholesale cooperative bank that provides low-cost short and long-term funding and community lending to more than 1,200 members, including commercial banks, saving institutions, credit unions and insurance companies. The Bank is wholly owned by its members and receives no taxpayer funding. The Des Moines Bank serves Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota and is one of twelve regional Banks that make up the Federal Home Loan Bank System.