vfuehrer@comcast.net      www.porticopossibilities.com      (612) 414-7629

Vicki Fuehrer is the Founder and President of PORTICO, consulting. Vicki also founded and was the past President of 2 other companies.  In addition, she has led Human Resources for the headquarters of a fortune 500 company; started, led and sold a management-consulting firm; and started and led a multi-divisional retail store.  Vicki has also led Compensation, Benefits, Relocation, Affirmative Action and International HR for a fortune 500 company, as well as, directed Compensation for a fortune 200 company.  In addition to consulting, Vicki is an adjunct instructor at Bethel University teaching the Compensation course within the Human Resource Degree program and is a guest speaker in various Communications and Employment Law classes. 

Vicki has led projects relating to large scale organizational assessment and change, total rewards strategy, base and variable compensation, performance management and metrics, legally compliant talent management and employment tools and processes including job descriptions and job progression, paid time-off plans, FLSA/541 classification, employee surveys and many alternative reward initiatives.   

Vicki holds a CCP designation (Certified Compensation Professional), is a certified SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources), and has a B. A. in Psychology  (Industrial Psychology emphasis) and a B.A. in Sociology.  Vicki also holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Bethel University.  Vicki has written and published 15 articles in the human resource field.  She also publishes a monthly E-Newsletter through PORTICO and authors numerous short articles under the “Fuehrer Factor” on PORTICO’s website.  

Vicki is active in professional and community organizations including: Past committee chairs in Sponsorship and Publicity for a Saint Paul Children’s Hospital Association Guild: past Board member, CEO Search Committee member, Endowment, Finance and Investment Committee member for the St. Croix Valley Girl Scouts; Board of Directors for Pauline’s Bells Foundation; and past Menttium 100 mentor.  In addition, Vicki was one of 35 U. S. retail companies invited by the Italian Trade Commission to tour Italian companies for three consecutive years.  Vicki is a member of Horizon 100, SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management), TCCN (Twin Cities Compensation Network), and World at Work. 

Vicki can be reached at vfuehrer@comcast.net.   Vicki’s telephone number is      612/414-7629.   www.porticopossibilities.com 

skhicks@comcast.net      www.porticopossibilities.com      (651) 343-7791 

Sharon holds a B.J. degree in Journalism and Business from the University of Missouri and her graduate work in Accounting and Finance was done at the University of Missouri and the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. 

Sharon Hicks has more than 30 years experience in accounting and finance.  She has worked in all areas of Accounting including Budgeting, Cost-Accounting, financial statement preparation and financial analysis.  Her background includes managing accounting operations for a multi-national manufacturing corporation.  She has served on executive management teams and developed business acquisition financial evaluations.  She also has experience in all aspects of small business accounting in both manufacturing environments and retail store operations. 

Her strong analytical skills and deep background in Accounting and Finance combine to give her a unique perspective as a business consultant.  Sharon has conducted detailed and complex analyses applicable to the design of various types of compensation systems, is adept at designing measures and metrics and costing compensation programs.  She has conducted focus groups for various business entities including retail stores. She has spearheaded comprehensive data analysis of survey and focus group results.  Additionally, she has participated in leadership team projects to implement business strategic initiatives. 

Sharon is involved in many community and volunteer endeavors include serving as treasurer for the Minneapolis-St. Paul Assistance League.  

ffuehrer@comcast.net      www.porticopossibilities.com      (612) 325-1000 

Duke holds a B. S. in Industrial Technology/Engineering; a Masters in Industrial Technology with a Minor in Psychology, and a Ph. D. in Education – all from Illinois State University. 

Duke began his career in education as a technical school instructor and president of a technical center, and later worked as Director of Minnesota’s Curriculum Articulation Center.  Duke has also served as an Associate Professor at Michigan State University, Professor at Concordia College and Co-Director of the MBA program and Director of the Human Resource Program at Bethel University.  

Duke’s corporate experiences include:  Director of Industrial and Organization Development for American Hoist and Derrick and Vice President of Administration for AmClyde Engineered Products.  In addition, Duke was Director of Organization Development for Pentair Inc.  At Pentair he also held positions as VP Human Resources, Vice President HR for Cross Pointe Paper Corp., Group Vice President of Specialty Products and later VP Human Resources for Fraser Papers Inc.  While working as Director of Organization Development for Pentair, Duke had responsibility for the organization design and start-up of a new paper company: Lake Superior Paper Industries, a $400MM joint venture project of Pentair and Minnesota Power Company.  During his career, Duke has also served as the President and Chief Executive Officer for Heartland Fibers, LLC and President of Designer Doors, Inc. 

During his time in the business world Duke has organized and opened new manufacturing facilities, helped to developed failing organizations, closed plants, designed and led start-up organizations and worked as a consultant to small and large companies in business planning and strategy.  Responsibilities in the business world have taken him and his work to Africa, Asia, Mexico, Europe, Great Britain and South America.  Duke has provided consulting assistance to companies in the USA, Europe and Great Britain.   

During his various corporate positions, Duke has been a very "hands-on" manager.  His early years on a farm, paying his way through college as a welder and assisting with a variety of plant renovations contributes to his comfort of working equally well "in the boardroom" or on the shop floor.  He likes being involved in sports.  He played tennis on a national championship team, likes skeet and target shooting, likes wing and big game hunting, has raced motorcycles and enjoys snowmobiling.  Duke has traveled extensively and conducted business in many countries including North America, South America, Africa, and Asia. He has published articles and written book chapters in education and business. 

kac0921@comcast.net      www.porticopossibilities.com     (612)-751-3171 

Kathy holds a B. A. in Finance from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota; and a M.A. in English also from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota.   

Kathy Carlson specializes in business writing, including publicity brochures, publication articles, corporate communication pieces and the translation of documents describing complex business issues into laymen’s terms. 

Prior to serving as PORTICO’s Communications Consultant, Kathy was a bank auditor for many years where she was responsible for planning and supervising financial and operational audits of subsidiaries, outside vendors, internal departments, and branch offices. She has experience presenting audit results to senior management and regulatory officials, as well as documenting these results in formal written reports.  Kathy has a unique ability to translate and communicate complex financial, compensation and business information/data into simplified straightforward documents, brochures and collateral pieces.   

Kathy is involved in a number of volunteer activities including almost 20 years of membership in Children’s Hospital Association – North Oaks Guild I.  This organization annually contributes $40,000 to Saint Paul Children’s Hospital and Clinics.  Kathy has been the President and Chairperson of the annual fundraiser, Co-Chair of the Publicity Committee and developed the guild website.