As the Executive Director of Northwest RSDP, and the Northwest CERT Regional Coordinator, Stassen works with local governments, nonprofits, foundations, and partners across Northwest Minnesota to connect local sustainability and clean energy projects to research, education, and resources at the University of Minnesota. Stassen spent 18 years as a college football coach at Valley City State, North Dakota State and University of Minnesota Crookston. His next career move was as Executive Director of the Crookston Area Chamber of Commerce, which included being director of the United Way of Crookston and Crookston Convention and Visitors Bureau. That opportunity led him to working most recently as City Administrator for the City of Crookston the past six years. Shannon has lived in Crookston for over 20 years and is the father of four children.