Sheryl Cotton
Program Director, Erik’s Ranch
Sheryl Cotton began her career in the health care field as a medical assistant, later returning to school and to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders at the University of Minnesota.
At the University, Cotton was recruited by a professor to study and practice Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). With a true talent for working with autistic children and their families, Cotton quickly moved from a behavioral therapist to a director of behavioral services. For the past 10 years, she has worked with the top professionals in the ABA field, garnering a reputation for exceptional proficiency and skill.
Cotton has continued her education, obtaining a Mini-MBA from St. Thomas University in St. Paul, Minn., and taking graduate level courses at St. Cloud State University. She continues to work in the ABA field as a consultant with families in the Twin Cities area. For the past three years she has actively worked to turn the dream of Erik’s Ranch into a much-needed reality.
Cotton is active in the PTA and school district and volunteers with the public library system and Red Cross.
Anita Legacy
Marketing Executive, retired
Anita Legacy has more than 30 years of marketing experience in France, the U.S., and Australia. Legacy graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Food Science. She later earned her graduate degree in business from the University of Rouen in Rouen, France, and held a regional advertising job at Credit Agricole Bank.
Over the course of a lengthy career, Legacy held consumer and small business marketing positions in Australia and the U.S. at Sunicrust Bakery, Gillette, Nextel, Integra Telecom and Telstra.
Today, though Legacy calls herself retired, she maintains a busy schedule. She manages several trust funds and rental properties and is the acting IT manager for a small network. She is also an active volunteer for Erik’s Ranch.
Karen Musech
Special Events and Operations Executive, retired
Karen Musech began her management career as a business owner, creating, marketing and managing educational seminars, conferences and special events. Twelve years later, she was recruited by the Minneapolis Aquatennial Association as its operational director, managing the business operations of the $1 million multi-level, citywide festival and initiating its volunteer training program.
Musech went on to provide management expertise for Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest where her efforts as development director brought a 30 percent increase in revenue. Later, as a division’s director of the Industrial Fabrics Association, Musech was responsible for the operation and marketing of 11 product-specific divisions, achieving consistency in identity, governance, marketing, and membership for the organization.
Today, she volunteers her organizational and special events expertise working with Erik’s Ranch.
Karen Reis
Technology Consultant
Karen Reis has spent over 20 years as a consultant specializing in Internet technology strategy, online product development, and project management. In 2001, following an early career with Deloitte Consulting and a director position at CBS Marketwatch, Reis founded her own business, Karen Reis Consulting. As a consultant, Reis assists clients in the launch of large-scale, strategic web-based products.
Reis brings important expertise in planning and defining technology strategies to Erik’s Ranch.
Her youngest son, Jack, has autism.
Jennifer Scholz
Jennifer Scholz is a Minnesota-certified K-12 Spanish teacher and study abroad director for South America Pacific Challenge. While in college, she worked with Erik (of Erik’s Ranch) as a therapist, and developed a growing interest in and concern for those with autism. Today Jennifer facilitates the accounting system for Erik’s Ranch, and manages many other administrative duties for the organization.
Jan Edman
Jan Edman is a valuable contributor to marketing Erik’s Ranch in her role on its Executive Board. Edman is a sales and marketing executive with experience in agency, corporate and nonprofit environments. She has built a career seeking opportunities in entrepreneurial environments, earning extensive experience in new business and sponsorship development, national sales management and loyalty marketing.
Edman has worked primarily with companies headquartered in Minneapolis/St.Paul, Minn., such as Carlson Marketing Group, Hubbard Broadcasting and Lifetouch National School Portraits. She is presently working with a start-up company focused on entering the retail market.
Jan has two teenage children and is a loyal runner with a passion for any and all water activities.
