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Latest News
Habitat Elects New Board Members & Officers
Habitat for Humanity of Douglas County President Steve Hellermann reports the election of two new board members: Irene Vagle and Marie Anderson. The board also elected officers: Steve Hellermann, President; Jan Finazzo, Vice President; Chris Worley, Treasurer; Janna Lindoo, Secretary; and John Beem, Past President. Other board members include: Joyce Hansen, John Loken, Terry Quist, Gordon Vander Helm and Pete Wood. Vern Anderson, Co-Founder and CEO of Douglas Machine, Inc. installed the new directors and officers at their organizational meeting held on July 20, 2010.
Featured Volunteer
Roger Biss
Volunteers make Habitat for Humanity run. Without volunteers on the construction site at funding events and in the Habitat office we would not be able to achieve our mission of providing quality, affordable homes for partner families who might otherwise not be able to have a home to call their own. We are fortunate here in Douglas County to have many dedicated volunteers who are committed to our mission. Among our most dedicated volunteers is Roger Biss.
An International Perspective
Roger and his wife Judy are world travelers, having visited many U.S. states including Alaska as well as trips to Australia, the Caribbean Islands, Germany, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The couple has traveled to Finland several times to visit a foreign exchange student who lived with them for a school year a number of years back. When asked which his favorite place to visit is, Roger quickly replied, “We like Florida as well as any place.” That’s undoubtedly why he and Judy spend five months – winter months – in their Lady Lake, Florida home each year.
Our Technology Guru!
When Roger and Judy are not in Florida, they are at home on Lake Le Homme Dieu – and Roger is working at the Habitat office networking, trouble shooting and maintaining the Affiliate’s communication systems, including phones and computers. From 2003, even before Habitat moved its office to its current location, Roger has been “computer guru” to HFHDC. In 2004, Roger bought a new personal camera and added photographer to his repertoire of volunteer services. His work can be seen throughout the Habitat office, on the website and in the Affiliate’s publications. He has helped develop DVDs and provided audio-visual support at Habitat events like the Hard Hat Breakfast; he has also been photographer at groundbreakings and blessing the builds, at dedications and on job sites.
An Active Youth
Roger grew up in Elbow Lake. In high school, he was a wrestler and earned all-conference recognition as a tackle on the Elbow Lake high school football team. He furthered his wrestling career at North Dakota State School of Science and began his career as an electronics technician with US West (now Qwest Communication) upon graduation. Roger retired from US West in 1999 after a successful 34 year career.
In his youth, Roger enjoyed roller skating and has fond memories of the rink at the “Gang Plank” standing previously at the site of Bug-a-Boo Bay in Alexandria. Roger and Judy met while roller skating in Fergus Falls, courted and were married in 1966. They raised two children, a son and a daughter who live in St. Cloud and Delano, respectively. Roger and Judy have two grandchildren, 13 and 11 years old.
Alexandria Residents Since 1999
The Bisses bought a lot in Alexandria on Lake Le Homme Dieu in 1994. They built their home in 1997 and moved to Alexandria from Arden Hills when Roger retired in 1999. They enjoy bicycling and pontooning and getting out of the cold in the winter. In addition to volunteering with Habitat, Roger fixes computers for senior citizens and teaches computer classes for adult education. In the past, he also did volunteer work with the Douglas County Historical society, helping them with their computers. Roger and Judy are active members of Calvary Lutheran Church.
His Expertise Is Our Good Fortune!
Over his 34 year career with US West, Roger had responsibilities in computer programming, network engineering and internal network design. He was an early participant in Twin Cities Computer Users, a group formed during the early years of the computer boom, dedicated to idea sharing. Roger is fascinated by computer gadgets and keeps up with new technology. With Roger’s training, experience and interests, our affiliate is blessed to have his commitment to the Habitat mission.