Jeff Baldus is Executive Director of the Austin Area Foundation. He was selected as the organizations first executive director in May of 2014.

Baldus is a longtime resident and prior to joining the foundation was employed by the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce, supporting Ambassador activities, membership and the 4th of July Freedom Fest. His career includes 33 years of restaurant management and was the successful owner/operator of Austin Culver’s Restaurant until he sold in June of 2009.

Currently active on many local boards and in volunteer positions including past Austin Chamber of Commerce president, Freedom Fest Director, KSMQ board member, Mower County Health Services advisory board member, Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau board member, Austin ArtWorks steering committee member, Paint the Town Pink steering committee member and board member on The Hormel Foundation.

Jeff lives in Austin with his wife Kris, and has two adult children. 

Pat Hawkins is the Market President of US Bank Austin and has served in this capacity since September of 2017. Prior to joining US Bank, he spent 9 years working for an Agricultural retail Cooperative in Southern MN serving as the Sr. VP of Risk and Business Development. Before moving to the Cooperative system, Pat had spent his time since 1990 working in the finance industry in Southern MN specializing in agricultural production.

Since starting in Austin, he has been active in Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee, the Development Corporation of Austin and a member of Rotary International.

Pat and his wife Mary have two grown children and a daughter entering her senior year in high school.

Administartor at Austin High School. 

Dale Wicks, Human Resources Director has been with Quality Pork Processors, Inc. since it began operations in 1989. Starting out on the Production line, moving into management as Sanitation Supervisor and then in 1991 into the Personnel Department. His primary role in Human Resources is Labor Relations along with Payroll, Recruiting, Training, and Safety. He has served on several community Boards including, Oakland Baptist Church Board, Austin Chamber of Commerce Board, and the Austin Rotary Club Board. A lifetime resident of the Austin area, he continues to operate the small family farm with crops, cattle and horses in rural Austin. He and his wife, both Austin High School Graduates, have 5 grown children, who all live in the Austin area, and has 18 Grandchildren.