Our Team

Paul joins Winneshiek Energy District with a background in teaching and carpentry. For the last seven years Paul was a high school industrial tech teacher in Lanesboro, MN.  There he taught carpentry, cabinetmaking, electricity, engineering design, graphic design, CAD, entrepreneurship, and more generally, enjoyed helping youngsters grow into capable and confident young adults.

Prior to teaching, Paul spent several years as a carpenter disassembling and reconstructing 19th century Norwegian-built log buildings for clients.  He also worked several seasons for HistoriCorps, a non-profit that pairs volunteers with hands-on historic preservation projects throughout the mountain west.

In his free time Paul enjoys making furniture, trail running with his dog Bobo, scheming backpacking trips out west, camping in his homemade teardrop camper, and rehabbing his 170 year old brick house.

• Email Paul Cutting
• Tel: (563) 334-0538 (cell)

Nina’s past business experiences include starting a local Visitor Center, a radio station and a diversity team and chairing an ethnic festival for 8 years.  She has also served on the board for Winneshiek County Economic Development, Good Samaritan Center, Country Heritage Community and  KPVL Radio, to name a few. Nina has also been inducted into the NICC Alumni Hall of Fame. With a love of helping others, Nina brings a vast amount of knowledge to help other’s business grow.

With a degree in accounting, continued Fast Trac training by the Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City, Mo., the SBDC and 27 years of work experience Nina provides knowledge on the importance of planning. As a Pro Advisor with Quick Books, accounting and payroll, services are provided as needed for individual businesses and nonprofits.

Laura has taught in the environmental studies program at Luther College since 2008. Her courses address topics in earth history, climate science, and energy resources. She is interested in the community benefits of clean energy and energy efficiency, and has assisted Luther College in its efforts to achieve institutional carbon neutrality through her position on the college's Energy and Water Task Group. She lives in an all-electric home in Decorah with her husband, three children, and seven backyard chickens.

Jim Martin-Schramm is a professor emeritus of religion, serving Luther College from 1993 to 2023. He is the author or co-editor of several publications including Eco-Reformation: Grace and Hope for a Planet in Peril (Wipf & Stock, 2016), Earth Ethics: A Case Method Approach (Orbis Books, 2015), and Climate Justice: Ethics, Energy, and Climate Policy (Fortress Press, 2010). Jim served on the inaugural board of the Iowa Wind Energy Association and recently completed serving a term as chair of the board of Iowa Interfaith Power & Light.  Jim directed energy and climate programming for Luther’s Center for Sustainable Communities and served on the board of Luther College Wind Energy Project, LLC. He currently serves as a policy analyst for the Clean Energy Districts of Iowa and is the manager of the CEDI Coalition.

Mike is a Commercial Lender and Vice President at greenpenny, a division of Decorah Bank & Trust. Mike was an Ag and Commercial Lender for 10 years before transitioning to greenpenny full time in 2021.  He has been financing solar and renewable energy projects for 8 years, most recently financing commercial and industrial, PPA, and Community Solar Garden projects. Mike lives in Decorah with his wife Carol and children Nora, Emily, and Sam.

Kristine Kopperud is a writer and editor with a background in magazine, small-business start-up, and marketing. For 15 years, she ran farm-based businesses in Allamakee County and comes to the WED board with interest in corporate and municipal energy policy, as well as adaptation of sustainable energy systems at the industrial level.

She also has experience writing and administering grants for both small business and non-profits (including WED) and looks forward to telling the broader story of where our energy comes from and how the industry works. She can be reached via www.kristinekopperud.com.

Zachary Fromm graduated from Coe College in 2004. He has been teaching social studies since 2012 at the secondary level. Fromm loves teaching through advocacy and has helped guide students to fund numerous wells in multiple countries throughout Africa. Fromm joins our board with excitement about the future of sustainable energy at the local level. In particular, he geeks the electric vehicle revolution and, as a quasi-early adopter, wants to share the experience and benefits of EVs. Fromm also sits on the Winneshiek County Historical Preservation Commission.

Lyle retired from Northeast Iowa Community College's Computer Information Systems Director position in 2010 and from organic farming in 2017. He and his wife Susan live in Decorah. In addition to serving on the Winneshiek Energy District Board since 2014, his Board experience includes 12 years on the South Winneshiek Community School Board, 6 years on the Calmar Lutheran Church Council, 6 years on the Oneota Community Food Co-op Board, the Board of the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust since 2018, and as Assistant Winneshiek County Soil & Water Conservation Commissioner since 1980. Lyle and Susan do volunteer tax preparation through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program, sponsored locally by NE Iowa RSVP.

Kyra Bellrichard, a resident of Decorah, is Program Manager Lead for the Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions team.  She joined the Winneshiek Energy District (WED) board in March of 2015.  However, Kyra’s relationship with WED began four years earlier when she started her career at NICC coordinating energy efficiency and renewable energy training programs with the Department of Labor ‘Green’ Grant, as well as the State of Iowa Energy Sector Partnership Grant.  Both grants supported WED efforts with equipment and training, and trained many other area professionals.  Kyra also manages Career Pathway Certificate programs and Trades & Industry Continuing Education classes at NICC.  Outside of the college you will often find Kyra throwing pottery in her home studio or helping others experience the art of clay as a volunteer Studio Assistant at The Clay Studio.