History

Our organization was founded in 1994 on the principle that soccer is a powerful tool in youth development.  More recently, it has become our universal language in no only reaching out to our immigrant and urban population but also in building bridges between our diverse populations.

Staff

Jean-Paul Bigirindavyi
Executive Director
651-917-0098 - Ext. 218 (Office Phone)
jeanpaul@mnthunder-plus.org

Mary Kasper
Program Coordinator
651-917-0098 (Office)
marykasper@mnthunder-plus.org

Faturn Osman
Team Leader and family Liaison for Muslim girls

Board Members

D.J. Turner
President and Treasurer
CEO, Turner Hospitality Resource
DT@turnerhospitality.com

Robert Engstrom
Member
Past President
CEO, Robert Engstrom Companies
bob@engstromco.com

Manuel “Buzz” Lagos
Member / Founder
Former Head Coach, MN ThunderProfessional Soccer Team
Higher Ground Academy Math Teacher and Soccer Head Coach
buzzlagos@comcast.net

Anne Carroll
Member
St. Paul Public Schools Board of Education
Owner, Carroll, Franck & Associates
carrfran@qwest.net

Tomas Gonda
Member
Technology Coordinator
Emerson Spanish Immersion School (Minneapolis)
tcgonda@yahoo.com

Remi Douah
Member VM Direct/ Affiliate
3300 Lincoln Street N.E
remid@vmdirect.com

Richard Krier
Member
President, Midwest Planning &Design, LLC
rkrier@mchsi.com

Jeff Heegaard
Member
Executive Director
1000 Friends of Minnesota
jheegaard@1000fom.org

Len Pratt
Member
CEO, Pratt Construction Incorporate
lenpratt@pratthomes.com