Good Wednesday morning everyone! Time for this weeks @MNMOmag Twitterview with our guest, @AndreaKopfmann. Lets begin.
Andrea: Thanks for having me, Joel!
To start off with, can you share a little bit about yourself? Like where you grew up and went to college.
Andrea: I grew up in a very small town in SD called Alpena. I went to college in Marshall at Southwest State.
What did you major in at Southwest State? Did you intern anywhere after college?
Andrea: I majored in Communications – Radio/TV/Theatre. Loved every minute of it! I was going to be the ESPN girl. Ha!
Graduated in 2007. Interned @1013KDWB that summer then @nemerfieger from Sept-Oct. Then went right to @WalserAutoGroup
Lets leap ahead to your role as the Director of the Walser Foundation. What about the role appealed to you?
Andrea: So much! First, the organization and the people. It was a brand new position so I’ve been able to pave my own path.
It was a whole new challenge for me. I’ve never been involved with something like this. It’s been exciting since day 1
That’s great! Explain for people, what the Walser Foundation actually is and how it works? When did it get started?
Andrea: 5% of pre-tax profits from @WalserAutoGroup go to the Walser Foundation. We work with fantastic non-profit partners
Walser has been in business for 50+ yrs. At one time, the Foundation operated under a different name
The mission has stayed the same. Supporting women, children and families here in the Twin Cities
So buying a car from the @WalserAutoGroup helps the driver and the public! :) What groups do you work with?
Andrea: Yes! And anytime you service your vehicle or purchase parts from us!
We work w/ @OpenArmsMN @bolderoptions @UpperMidwestMS @starkeyhearing @mnaidsproject Teen Challenge @childrensMN
SAVE, @2harvest @diabetesMN, Fraser, Amplatz Children’s Hospital and more. Check us out here:
So MANY people benefit from your work at the Walser Foundation! How does that make you feel personally?
Andrea: Pretty proud of the company I work for. I’m just lucky to be apart of it. How does it make you feel, Joel?
Helping people is always a good thing. I’m guessing you attend a number of events. What were some of them from 2011?
Andrea: Ready for a big list?
Many events w/ @StPaulSaints. @OpenArmsMN Moveable Feast & Butterball. Many events w/ @UpperMidwestMS & @diabetesMN
The @CharlieAwardsTC @IveyAwards Glamorama for @childrenscancer Teen Challenge Gala, Basilica Block Party & many more.
Lets shift back to you briefly. You’re a local foodie. What have been some of your favorite places to eat at lately?
Andrea: I frequent Eli’s constantly. 112 is always amazing. @SaffronMpls is brilliant. I have a fantastic time @TravailKitchen
Restaurant Alma and La Belle Vie are my celebration spots
And this time of year, I love the ramen @Masu_NE. I can’t get enough of it. It’s like crack.
Joel: Super. Well thank you for being a part of #MNMOtv today and sharing some of your story! Have a great week Andrea.
Andrea: Thanks for having me, Joel! I had fun.