HomeMy WebLinkAboutQ3 and Q4 2023 RetirementsContact: Jennifer Bennerotte, CPC, Communications Director
Phone 952-833-9520 • jbennerotte@EdinaMN.gov • EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Five Retire From City of Edina in Second Half of 2023
Edina, Minn., Jan. 24, 2024 – With nearly 100 combined years of full-time service, five staff members retired from the City of Edina in the second half of 2023.
Mike Rice, Building Inspector
Mike Rice retired from the Fire Department as Building Inspector July 31.
Rice had been a building inspector for over 20 years, overseeing projects across the state of Minnesota. After many years working for the City of Woodbury, Rice started his position
at Edina in the spring of 2015. He said that the City’s reputation spoke for itself and was a big reason why he was interested in the job.
As a part of the Building Inspections Division, Rice has inspected the foundations and infrastructures of several buildings in Edina to ensure building safety. Whether it be high-rise
buildings, new single-family homes or storm shelters at the local schools, Rice says every day was a different experience and challenge.
“I started off inspecting for the City and doing some small commercial plan review. Then, a couple of years into it, one of the plans reviewers retired,” he said just before his own
retirement. “So, I took over his role and have been doing that ever since.” When asked if he has any Edina memories that stick out, he said that there was “a story every day.”
Dan Conboy, Police Lieutenant
After 19 years with the Police Department, Dan Conboy retired Aug. 18.
Conboy worked for the Tempe Police Department in Arizona for five years before coming to Edina in 2004. He worked as a School Resource Officer in 2010 and 2011 before being promoted
to Sergeant. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2015.
At the time of his retirement, he was serving as one of three Lieutenants.
Dawn Beitel, Assistant Manager of Edinborough Park and the Edina Aquatic Center
Dawn Beitel retired Oct. 13 as Assistant Manager of Edinborough Park and the Edina Aquatic Center.
She worked for seven years in parks and recreation in Chanhassen before taking a family break to start raising four children. When the last one entered kindergarten, she was ready to
return to work. She was hired as a part-time Program Specialist in Edina Parks & Recreation in 2006 and then as full-time Assistant Manager of Edinborough Park and the Aquatic Center
in 2013.
“When you see people come here to Edinborough Park for the first time -- when you see kids’ reactions when they see that big, giant playground for the first time -- it warms your heart.
They are just giddy,” Beitel said. “It never gets old seeing how this place makes so many people happy.”
Mark Biermaier, Patrol Officer
After more than a quarter-century of work for the Police Department, Mark
Biermaier retired as Patrol Officer Oct. 20.
Biermaier grew up in Richfield and got involved in Edina’s Police Explorers program
as a teenager. Biermaier was an Explorer for five years and then worked as an associate
adviser for the program while attending Normandale Community College. He went to Alexandria Technical and Community College for the skills portion of his degree. After graduating, he
was hired by Polk County Sheriff’s Office for five years before coming back to Edina, one of his goals from the outset of his career.
Biermaier served in a few different positions in the department, including Field Training Officer, Firearms Instructor, Use of Force Instructor, and his favorite, SWAT Team Member.
“It's been a good run. Edina was always my No. 1 department that I wanted to work for. And I'm glad I got to do it,” said Biermaier.
Lynn Zuidema, Accounting Specialist
Accounting Specialist Lynn Zuidema retired Dec. 1 after working for the Finance Department for 33 years.
Zuidema started her career with the City in Utility Billing, where she also served as a backup to the Building Permit Technician and Finance Accounts Payable Position. After nine years,
she moved into the position of Accounting Associate where she took on accounting work for sales at the City’s enterprises and oversaw deposits and sales tax. After 19 years of that,
she continued her work at City Hall as an Accounting Specialist with the main focus being bank reconciliation, finance review, payroll duties and unclaimed property. She has served
as a backup to the City Hall Receptionist since the very beginning.
She experienced a lot of change and innovation in her three decades in the department working under Finance Directors John Wallin, Eric Roggeman, Don Uram and Alisha McAndrews.
“In the beginning, it was all papers. Then it went to scanning to now just file uploads,” she said as she explained the changes in technology and processes she was part of over the decades.
For more information about City staffing, contact the Human Resources Department at 952-927-8861. For a list of open positions, visit EdinaMN.gov/Jobs.
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Edina, Minn., Jan. 24, 2024 – With nearly 100 combined years of full-time service, five staff members retired from the City of Edina in the second half of 2023.
Mike Rice, Building Inspector
Mike Rice retired from the Fire Department as Building Inspector July 31.
Rice had been a building inspector for over 20 years, overseeing projects across the state of Minnesota. After many years working for the City of Woodbury, Rice started his position
at Edina in the spring of 2015. He said that the City’s reputation spoke for itself and was a big reason why he was interested in the job.
As a part of the Building Inspections Division, Rice has inspected the foundations and infrastructures of several buildings in Edina to ensure building safety. Whether it be high-rise
buildings, new single-family homes or storm shelters at the local schools, Rice says every day was a different experience and challenge.
“I started off inspecting for the City and doing some small commercial plan review. Then, a couple of years into it, one of the plans reviewers retired,” he said just before his own
retirement. “So, I took over his role and have been doing that ever since.” When asked if he has any Edina memories that stick out, he said that there was “a story every day.”
Dan Conboy, Police Lieutenant
After 19 years with the Police Department, Dan Conboy retired Aug. 18.
Conboy worked for the Tempe Police Department in Arizona for five years before coming to Edina in 2004. He worked as a School Resource Officer in 2010 and 2011 before being promoted
to Sergeant. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2015.
At the time of his retirement, he was serving as one of three Lieutenants.
Dawn Beitel, Assistant Manager of Edinborough Park and the Edina Aquatic Center
Dawn Beitel retired Oct. 13 as Assistant Manager of Edinborough Park and the Edina Aquatic Center.
She worked for seven years in parks and recreation in Chanhassen before taking a family break to start raising four children. When the last one entered kindergarten, she was ready to
return to work. She was hired as a part-time Program Specialist in Edina Parks & Recreation in 2006 and then as full-time Assistant Manager of Edinborough Park and the Aquatic Center
in 2013.
“When you see people come here to Edinborough Park for the first time -- when you see kids’ reactions when they see that big, giant playground for the first time -- it warms your heart.
They are just giddy,” Beitel said. “It never gets old seeing how this place makes so many people happy.”
Mark Biermaier, Patrol Officer
After more than a quarter-century of work for the Police Department, Mark
Biermaier retired as Patrol Officer Oct. 20.
Biermaier grew up in Richfield and got involved in Edina’s Police Explorers program
as a teenager. Biermaier was an Explorer for five years and then worked as an associate
adviser for the program while attending Normandale Community College. He went to Alexandria Technical and Community College for the skills portion of his degree. After graduating, he
was hired by Polk County Sheriff’s Office for five years before coming back to Edina, one of his goals from the outset of his career.
Biermaier served in a few different positions in the department, including Field Training Officer, Firearms Instructor, Use of Force Instructor, and his favorite, SWAT Team Member.
“It's been a good run. Edina was always my No. 1 department that I wanted to work for. And I'm glad I got to do it,” said Biermaier.
Lynn Zuidema, Accounting Specialist
Accounting Specialist Lynn Zuidema retired Dec. 1 after working for the Finance Department for 33 years.
Zuidema started her career with the City in Utility Billing, where she also served as a backup to the Building Permit Technician and Finance Accounts Payable Position. After nine years,
she moved into the position of Accounting Associate where she took on accounting work for sales at the City’s enterprises and oversaw deposits and sales tax. After 19 years of that,
she continued her work at City Hall as an Accounting Specialist with the main focus being bank reconciliation, finance review, payroll duties and unclaimed property. She has served
as a backup to the City Hall Receptionist since the very beginning.
She experienced a lot of change and innovation in her three decades in the department working under Finance Directors John Wallin, Eric Roggeman, Don Uram and Alisha McAndrews.
“In the beginning, it was all papers. Then it went to scanning to now just file uploads,” she said as she explained the changes in technology and processes she was part of over the decades.
For more information about City staffing, contact the Human Resources Department at 952-927-8861. For a list of open positions, visit EdinaMN.gov/Jobs.
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