FMSM Board of Directors
Jessie Rock
Founder & Executive Director
Jessie Rock is a science educator and advocate. She believes that diverse voices should be reflected in museums and that science should be accessible to everyone. Jessie founded FMSM in 2018 after launching a survey to gauge interest for the establishment of a permanent science museum in FM. Overwhelming community support inspired her to lead a team of volunteers in building the foundation for the organization.
Over the past six years, she’s engaged with families, educators, scientists, and other community stakeholders and invited them to participate in the museum planning process. She has worked closely with museum professionals and regional STEM companies and institutions to incorporate these concepts into a shared vision for the museum’s visitor experience plan.
Prior to serving as Executive Director, Jessie taught geology and paleontology laboratory courses in the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Geospatial Sciences at North Dakota State University for thirteen years and facilitated STEM outreach events and activities throughout the FM community.
Breanna Kompelien
Board Chair
Breanna is a registered nurse with extensive experience in medical research. She works as a clinical research nurse at Sanford Health, where she conducts cardiology clinical trials that aim to advance patient care and drive medical innovation. She also has experience in infectious disease, pediatrics, and oncology research. Breanna is passionate about the people who make science possible—patients, families, and research teams—and finds fulfillment in turning research into real-world impact.
She believes that knowledge is empowering and that the wonders of science should be accessible to everyone. Breanna strives to make science approachable and inspiring, sparking curiosity and wonder in others. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, creating art, and spending time with her family. Together, they love traveling, baking, and cheering at hockey games.
Reid Mattson
Vice Chair
Reid Mattson is a Partner at Eide Bailly LLP in the Outsourced & Managed Services department and has been with the firm since 2008. Reid works with a wide variety of clients, including nonprofits, professional services and privately held companies to help them better understand and accurately present their financial reporting. He manages and leads teams performing outsourced accounting, finance, and consulting services.
In his spare time, you can find Reid spending time with his wife and three kids, relaxing at the lake or attempting to find his college form on the golf course.
Anne Stoll
Treasurer
Anne Stoll, CPA, is a Senior Manager at Eide Bailly, LLP where she serves clients and the firm as a specialist for tax-exempt organizations including public charities, associations, social organizations, fraternal organizations, voluntary employees’ beneficiary associations, private foundations including private operating foundations, and non-exempt charitable trusts. Anne has 15+ years of experience in this role provides consulting and compliance services for a wide range of tax issues. She guides organizations through the many state and IRS regulations that nonprofit organizations face in obtaining and maintaining their tax-exempt status.
Outside of work, Anne enjoys spending time with her husband and boys, attending musicals, plays, camping, skiing, biking, reading, and volunteering.
Danni Melquist
Secretary
Danni is the Director of Marketing at Visit Fargo-Moorhead. The CVB exists to position the Fargo-Moorhead community as a desirable destination and gateway to the region and nation resulting in a superior quality of life for its residents. Danni manages the marketing department at the CVB and helps to promote the area to leisure travelers, meeting planners, and sports event planners collaboratively.
In her spare time, Danni enjoys golfing, spending time at the lakes, and traveling with her husband, son Wells, golden Margie, and Beagle-mix Linus. You can also find her listening to true crime podcasts or reading.
David Schlossman
Capital Campaign Chair
David is the current President and Managing Broker of Horizon Real Estate Group, a Fargo based commercial real estate office serving clients in ND, MN, and SD. David has over a decade of industry experience and is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM).
Outside of work, David enjoys spending time with his family and has a passion for wind sports such as sailing and kiteboarding. David is an avid coffee drinker and can be often found at local coffee shops and breweries talking about blockchain technology.
Tom Dawson
Tom grew up and attended schools in Fargo. After graduating from Southern Methodist University in 1973 he began his insurance career as the 3rd generation in Dawson Insurance, a business founded by his grandfather in 1917. He retired from the business in 2023. Tom is past president of the Independent Insurance Agents of North Dakota and served on the national board of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America for many years. He is also a former member of the Board of Governors for the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors.
The greater Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Community has always been a passion for Tom, and he has continued a tradition of his family and business of serving civic and not-for-profit organizations. These include Meritcare Health System (predecessor of Sanford Health), YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties, Plains Art Museum, Fargo Moorhead Area Foundation, Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation and the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce. He remains active with the United Way of Cass-Clay, First Presbyterian Church and Fargo Kiwanis Club. Â
Tom and his wife, Georgia, have grown sons, each with their own families which include 7 precious grandchildren.Â
Jessica Eagle-Bluestone
Jessica Eagle-Bluestone is a passionate advocate for science, sustainability, and community engagement. A member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, she combines her cultural heritage with academic and professional expertise to make a meaningful impact. Jessica holds a graduate degree in Energy Engineering from the University of North Dakota and a bachelor’s degree in geology from North Dakota State University, equipping her with a strong foundation in the technical and environmental aspects of energy and resource development.
As the Tribal Community Engagement Manager at Geothermal Rising, Jessica leads initiatives to familiarize communities with geothermal energy technologies, foster collaborative partnerships, and advocate for policy reforms that prioritize sustainability and community benefits.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Jessica is dedicated to inspiring curiosity and exploration in both her family and her community. She enjoys camping and traveling with her husband and four children, sharing her love of the outdoors and science along the way.
Tahnee Miller
Tahnee Miller is the Founder and Principal Engineer of Meliora Engineering, an engineering consulting firm that serves clients across the U.S. by providing support to advance their power systems and renewable energy projects through the project lifecycle. She holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Minnesota and has built her career working primarily to advance grid integration of wind, solar, and storage projects through partnerships with project owners and developers.
Tahnee is passionate about inspiring curiosity, problem-solving, and a love for STEMM in the next generation both at home and in the community. Tahnee serves as the Cass County chapter coordinator for the MATHCOUNTS Foundation, encouraging middle school students to explore mathematics through the annual competition series. She is a mother of eight and can regularly be found convincing her young children why trigonometry is cool.
James Hand
James Hand serves as the Director of Facilities at Fargo Public Schools and is a board member of the FM Science Museum. With an MBA and a background in business management, he brings expertise in facility operations and strategic planning. At the FM Science Museum, James focuses on integrating data-driven practices to improve visitor engagement and foster scientific exploration, aligning with his professional commitment to enhancing the educational and cultural fabric of the Fargo-Moorhead community.
Jessica Hoppe
Jessica Hoppe, CFP®, is a retired Senior Business Advisor after 23 years in the financial services industry. In her tenure, Jessica worked to build loyal customer relationships by advising on all aspects of business finance, wealth management, and retirement services. Jessica has previously served on the Board of Directors for Plains Art Museum, TNT Kids Fitness, the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest (ALAUM) and Kindred Area Arts Partnership. She currently volunteers her time on the Board of Directors for Presentation Partners in Housing (PPiH) and the Fargo Moorhead Science Museum. Jessica received her undergraduate degree in Finance from MSUM Moorhead, her MBA from North Dakota State University, and has been a Certified Financial Planner® since 2016.
Jessica enjoys many hobbies, including reading, cooking, knitting, fitness, and travel. To date, she has been to 21 countries (airports don’t count) – although no matter where life takes her, her favorite moments are spent with her family at the lake.
Dr. Susan Mathison
Dr. Susan M. Mathison, Founder of Catalyst Medical Center, is a Stanford-educated, triple-board certified physician. She’s received numerous accolades for leadership and Top Doctor for her clinical skills. While she enjoys helping patients in many ways, Facial Plastic Surgery is her main focus of passion and expertise. Facial plastic surgery offers cosmetic or reconstructive medical care to the face, head, and neck. Outside of Catalyst Medical Center, she is involved in several organizations in the Fargo-Moorhead community, including Dakota Medical Foundation, TedXFargo, and The Choice Financial Board.
Susan is a multi-passionate physician, surgeon, leader, writer, and mom, with a mission to help her family, her team, her patients, and her community lead happier, healthier, more beautiful lives.
Thad Swanson
Thad Swanson joined the Nilles Law Firm in 2016 and is a shareholder in the firm’s transactional group. Thad began his legal career in Williston, North Dakota, serving as judicial law clerk to the six judges of North Dakota’s Northwest Judicial District. Thad provides legal advice to his clients in the areas of Business Law, Estate Planning, Trust Administration and Probate, and Real Estate Law.
Thad was born in Seoul, South Korea and raised in Long Prairie, Minnesota. His hobbies include golf, hockey, and snowboarding. Thad is a member of several local organizations, including the Red River Valley Estate Planning Council and the Downtown Fargo Rotary Club.
Anne Schaar, Ph.D.
Anne Schaar, Ph.D. is a Senior Program Manager at Aldevron, a global leader in genomic medicine including the first mRNA-based personalized CRISPR therapy. In her role, Anne combines her scientific expertise with strategic leadership to ensure a client’s biologic product meets regulatory, quality, and delivery requirements at all stages of lifecycle. She earned her doctorate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of North Dakota and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, focusing on metabolic diseases in an aging model.
Beyond her professional role, Anne is passionate about helping people learn about science and developing critical thinking skills. She advocates for educational initiatives that empower individuals to understand the scientific process, ask thoughtful questions, and make informed decisions, skills that are essential for progress in biotechnology and society at large.
