Board of Directors
Current Board of Directors

Dave Ufheil
Board President
Dave is the chief financial officer of EPIEN Medical, Inc., a company focused on developing products for the treatment of oral inflammation and acute and chronic wounds. In that capacity, he leads the accounting, finance, and treasury functions of the company. Prior to EPIEN Medical, he was a contracted advisor to several private companies, a Managing Director with Riveron, a business advisory firm, and an Executive Director with Ernst & Young in its financial accounting advisory practice in Minneapolis. Prior to joining EY, he spent 22 years in the audit practice of KPMG in various offices in the US and Germany. Dave received his B.A. in Accounting from Indiana University – Bloomington. He holds an active Certified Public Accountant license in Minnesota. Dave lives in Maple Grove with his wife and two children.
Dave has been on the MHG board since 2017, was treasurer in 2018 and president of the board since 2019. He has previously been involved in the finance committee of Medina Golf & Country Club and the development committee of the Detroit Institute of Arts. Dave appreciates the opportunity to serve on the MHG board and assist management in navigating complex business issues, while the organization provides impactful programming to children of all ages and abilities.

Jeff Griffing
Vice President
Jeff is married with two children and two dogs and works as CEO of a national advertising company called AllOver Media. He appreciates all the hard work that is done by the staff on behalf of hundreds of children that benefit from the MHG mission. He has seen firsthand how his son has grown emotionally through the MHG team programs, and he has also witnessed the amazing Adaptive programs that are so impactful.

Andrea Leet
Secretary
Andrea Leet and her family have been situated in the west metro for many years and have found it a great place to raise a family. Over the years, Andrea has engaged and volunteered in organizations her children participate in such as elementary schools, sports organizations, and community events. She also has experience in supporting a non-profit organization as a professional, holding a seat in decision-making and support for the Board of Directors and executive staff. Throughout the last number of years, Andrea has been mentoring young professionals on communication, conflict resolution, and career development. Her approach is to be an active listener, while empowering others to be solutions-focused, and approach with the best of intent. Andrea’s hope in serving as a member of the Board of Directors as MHG is to continue to foster that same experience for all families through helping the other members of the Board of Directors and staff continue to lead the organization according to the core values and impact statement.

Jennifer Jackson
Treasury
Jen has served in various leadership positions including finance, risk management and governance and is currently leading the Capital Management-Stress Testing team in Corporate Treasury at U.S. Bank. Jen also currently has 3 daughters in the competitive team program at Mini-Hops. Jen is passionate about supporting families, communities, and advocating for and empowering the youth. She is also on the Board at Hired which is a non-profit helping people prepare for and secure good jobs that can sustain a family. Mini-Hops has given her children such a positive emotional experience, a strong sense of belonging, dedication, persistence, and growth through setting goals and achieving them. Jen is honored to serve on the Mini-Hops Board to do her part in ensuring the excellent programming and opportunities continue being successful and available to our families and communities.

Dina Barsky
Board Member
Dina lives in Maple Grove with her husband, two daughters, and their two-year-old dog. Dina is a very passionate, detail oriented, strategy focused finance professional. She has spent the last 15+ years in the corporate world, both in small, and large organizations driving financial structure, growth, profitability agendas and operational infrastructure. Mini-Hops is near and dear to Dina’s family. MHG has been such a large part of their family going back a decade when their children were enrolled in the recreational program, attended summer/ winter camps, open gym and since then their eldest daughter moved on to join competitive team program. Dina joined the MHG board in 2022 in hopes to continue to support Mini-Hops mission and vision and ensure that the gym can run as effectively as possible and deliver on servicing the broad needs of the community. The coaches have instilled so many life lessons into young athletes, through constant encouragement, allowing athletes to conquer fears, and develop courage to continue to push through adversity.

Mark Kinney
Board Member
Mark’s family has been a part of the Mini-Hops community for over ten years. Both his daughters participated in many of the recreational classes and his son has grown up at Mini-Hops starting in Rec classes at age 3 to becoming a member of our Elite, Pre-Team, and Team. While here Mark has become familiar and engaged with Mini-Hop’s mission. His interaction with the coaches, the staff, and the families of Mini-Hops has inspired him to want to help guide the continued growth and progress of the organization. He has over 25 years of experience in the corporate world that will provide a solid skill set to help the business success of Mini-Hops.

Paul Moon
Board Member
Paul’s children first started at Mini Hops a decade ago, and they have been a grateful part of the community ever since. They started in rec classes, joined the Academic preschool, and then joined the competition teams. He is proud that Mini Hops displays its core values front-and-center and lives it out daily. His children have been encouraged and praised yet challenged to tackle fears and safely push themselves to attempt new skills and reach higher goals. He is so appreciative of the amazing life-skills they have learned. So many young people are afraid of failing, and thankfully, their children understand that failing is just another opportunity to learn and grow. As a parent, he is also grateful that Mini Hops cultivates a culture that promotes healthy self-image and self-confidence.

Michael Lynch
Board Member
Mickey Lynch is a husband, father, and veteran. He became a gymnast at Mini-Hops when he was 3 years old. He continued with coach Samir for about 12 years. He loved the sport and continues to use the things he learned about preserving and teamwork today. Mickey served in the US Army for 4 years and deployed in 2012 to Afghanistan leading a team of 6. Mickey was medically discharged in 2014 after getting injured by an IED. Mickey continues to work in his local community as a Vantage mentor at Minnetonka High School. In addition, Mickey is a PT coach for the girls’ rugby team at Minnetonka High School. He is a dedicated father to two sons, Sage (4) and Mason (2). Mickey has worked as a landscaper and in the corporate security sector in the years following his military service. Mickey has experience in fundraising and leadership, as he served as the president of the Veterans and Friends club at Normandale Community College. He wants to serve on the Mini Hops Board because he wants to give back to the Mini-Hops community and be a part of something he has always had a passion for.

Christopher Emerson
Board Member
Christopher Emerson, a parent of an Xcel gymnast at Mini-Hops, is a highly accomplished individual with extensive experience in both the corporate and non-profit sectors. As the founder and CEO of a cybersecurity consulting company and the President and Founder of a non-profit organization focused on the sport of Ninja Warrior, he possesses a unique skill set that would be highly valuable to the Mini-Hops Board of Directors. As a parent of a gymnast at Mini-Hops, Christopher has a personal stake in the success of the organization. He wishes to serve on the Board to help ensure that Mini-Hops continues to provide top-notch gymnastics instruction to its students while maintaining its commitment to safety and inclusivity. Christopher is confident that he can contribute his expertise and experience to help Mini-Hops achieve its goals and thrive in the years to come.

Jayme Clermont
Board Member
Jayme has a unique background as a marketer and sales professional for nearly 20 years. She has been on other advisory boards and managed membership and events for the Southwest Metro Chamber of commerce for 2 years. Jayme also was on the TwinWest Chamber gala committee for 2 years. Jayme can provide a level of professionalism and expertise to the board and fill the open need for a marketing background. Jayme is a parent of a toddler enrolled in Mini Hops weekly classes and a resident of Maple Grove.

Brittany Kennedy
Board Member
Brittany Kennedy is a real estate attorney in Minneapolis and a parent of two girls, a 7-year-old and a 5-month-old who will both hopefully be attending Mini Hops this summer and/or fall. As a real estate attorney, Brittany can provide the Mini Hops Board of Directors with knowledge and expertise on a variety of real estate and business topics, including leasing, facilities management, and general corporate governance. In addition, she has access to a broad network of attorneys and other professionals that can further assist with serving the needs of the Board and Mini Hops Gymnastics. Outside of work Brittany serves as a mentor to law students and a founding member of her law school’s Business and Real Estate Alumni Law group. She also regularly volunteers in the greater Minneapolis/Metro area, providing pro bono legal service. Brittany’s favorite pastime, however, is spending time with her girls and her family, especially at the cabin or camping in the summer months. She greatly appreciates the opportunity to be considered for a position on the Board of Directors of Mini Hops Gymnastics.


In Loving Memory of Brad Thorsen
All MHG charitable campaigns are hosted in loving memory of Brad Thorsen. Brad served as a Board Member of Mini-Hops since 1997, serving as President from 2002-2005 and ran the MHG Special Olympics program until his passing in 2017. In 2018 we named the on-site board room after him in honor of his years of dedication.
In his retirement, he focused on his family (especially his beloved grandchildren), friends, and attending Vikings and Lynx games. He was also involved with and did volunteer work for the Patrick Henry H.S. Foundation and is a member of the Patrick Henry Hall of Fame.
For this reason, we continue to give back to our community in honor of Brad and his commitment to helping the community.