Board Members
The board of directors of Rural AIDS Action Network is a dedicated group of individuals who lend their time and talents to further our mission to organize, develop and sustain caring communities of professionals and volunteers that serve and support persons living with, affected by, or at risk for HIV/AIDS in the rural Midwest.
Rob Peitzman (Chair)
Triniteam, Inc.
Twin Cities
I was honored by the invitation to serve on the RAAN Board of Directors. I am proud to be a small part of an organization having a mission in which I strongly believe.
Lois Bergman (Vice Chair)
East Central Region
Classical Homeopath
I joined the RAAN Board of Directors because I wanted to continue to help make a difference in Minnesota for those individuals living with HIV and AIDS. I have been a RAAN volunteer for many years and want to continue to serve this cause.
Christine Black-Hughes
Minnesota State University-Mankato
South Central Region
Membership on the RAAN Board will provide me with the opportunity to engage in an active role of working with rural communities to ensure the acceptance of people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. To promote the normalization of life for persons living with HIV/AIDS in rural communities through the linkage of appropriate and compassionate medical care through the delivery of services that increases the awareness of the transmissions and prevention of HIV/AIDS for all citizens.
Peter Lee
Greater Mpls. Council of Churches
Twin Cities
It is a privilege to serve on RAAN’s board where I can bring together my passion for social change and social justice to help support an AIDS service organization, which, by their very nature, help to create social change.
Sherry Mergens
Stay at home mother of 3 girls
North Central Region
I am on the RAAN BOD because I passionately believe in RAAN's mission to educate the public on HIV/AIDS and end stigma. I have been involved in the effort to end the US entry ban on HIV+ immigrants and travelers and would like to see an end to discrimination based on HIV status.
Cathy Perry
Programs Development Director, Hospitality Initiative of Servant Hearts
North Central Region
I accepted an invitation to join RAAN's Board, feeling that my personal values and vision were in alignment with RAAN's mission and work in rural MN. As a fairly new resident, moving to Greater MN in 2006 from California, my life's work in speaking up for social justice and change, building compassionate community and facilitating conversations around more inclusive practices has taken on new purpose, in this northern rural region where LGBT and HIV/AIDS folks are marginalized, stigmatized and have minimal resources/services.
John Vener, M.D.
Sibley Medical Center
West Central Region
I appreciate the opportunity to serve on the board of directors for RAAN. It is important for people living with HIV/AIDS in rural Minnesota to have access to quality health care and RAAN is helping make that happen.
Ex-Officio
Charles A. Hempeck
RAAN Executive Director