In addition to serving as board chair, Michelle manages membership and does some of our social media posts. As a maker, she is a dabbler – always interested in learning new things but rarely patient enough to master them. Out side of CVM, she is a fourth and fifth grade teacher at Prairie Creek Community School.

I love exploring my creativity through many art forms and always enjoy learning new crafts. My favorites include beaded jewelry, tatting, laser cutting/engraving, and miniature painting for tabletop games – although my list of crafty interests is always expanding. My family and I have been CVM members for over a year and really enjoy access to the workspace, tools, materials, and the inspiring community of fellow makers!

Tom Baraniak was involved at the beginning of the makerspace.  His interest is in electronics so he set up the Electronics Nook with everything needed to tinker, repair, or experiment with electronic gizmos.  It replicates his home shop and his shop at work where he takes care of the Physics and Astronomy labs and equipment for Carleton College.   

Jen Rothmeyer has been a member at Cannon Valley Makers since the month it opened its doors. Jen experiments with many different kinds of making and can usually be found in the middle room squinting at some project or another. Outside of CVM, Jen is a technical trainer, educator, and environmentalist.

Minnesota-native Jeremy Lenz moved to Northfield from Minneapolis in June 2020. He is a lifelong maker who recently started to renovate and restore his 1913 home. His legacy-making passions include origami and scratch-cooking global cuisines. He has broad “maker interests” and is actively learning 3D printing, CNC, and woodworking as part of the restoration process. Lenz is frequently at CVM where he and his wife introduce STEAM to their three daughters. He is a global adventurer and an avid outdoorsman enjoying many nights in the BWCA each year. He is a consultant in the water industry. 

Lenz is supporting CVM as co-treasurer and co-chairing the curriculum committee.

Steve joined CVM in 2022 when looking for space and machinery to further his boatbuilding projects.  Steve helps with facilities and machinery maintenance and provides technical support for CVM’s internet presence.  Beyond boatbuilding, Steve makes cabinetry and furniture, likes to sew, and repairs radios and electronics.  He is a former software engineering manager at Motorola and Thomson-Reuters, and presently works for a technology start-up in Minneapolis.

Dave grew up working in a manufacturing company that made steel components for farm and construction machinery. After college, he wandered off into academics for a few years before returning to the factory as general manager/owner. When he retired, he took up wood turning, the craft of making round things out of wood. Dave founded Cannon Valley Makers, gathering a crew of like-minded folks who were willing to share their equipment and talents to mkae a community maker space.