Freeborn County CEO Program Announces Fall Launch and Welcomes Amy Wadding as Facilitator
Freeborn County, MN – July 2026 — is proud to announce and welcome Amy Wadding as the new facilitator of the Freeborn County CEO Program.

The CEO Program is an accredited entrepreneurship educational 2 credit course available to high school Juniors or Seniors in Freeborn County. Albert Lea Area Schools and Glenville-Emmons School District are excited to partner with local businesses and community leaders to bring this innovative learning opportunity to students. Unlike a traditional classroom experience, CEO students meet five days a week for 90 minutes in local businesses throughout the community.

Throughout the school year, CEO students are immersed in real-world learning experiences designed to help them develop entrepreneurial thinking, professional skills, and meaningful connections with local business and community leaders. Students participate in business visits, hear from 40+ guest speakers, work with mentors, and gain hands-on experience as they create and operate their own businesses.

The CEO facilitator plays a key role in creating and guiding the learning environment for students. Rather than teaching from a textbook, the facilitator helps students explore, discover, ask questions, solve problems, create business relationships, and reflect on their experiences. The facilitator also works closely with the local CEO board to support the CEO Program model and ensure key program essentials are being met.

“I am excited to work with 12 students (2 from Glenville-Emmons & 10 from Albert Lea) in this program and my responsibility with them will be to expose them to as many businesses as possible this school year.  Additionally, this class will work on 3 main projects that will allow them to gain entrepreneurial skills that will spark them to create or continue business plans they are considering.  This class will also match them to a mentor that they will meet with monthly to gain additional insight into the business world.  Our goal is 40 business visits and 40 guest speakers. Or, we could do 80 business visits - which exposes them to a lot of potential for their futures.  That's where the community comes in - can our class come and visit you one day or you come to our class to visit us?  There is a calendar that we have available that businesses can utilize to indicate which date works for our class to connect.  If you have an interest in this, please email facilitator@freeborncountyceo.com for the link.  The class meets daily from 7:30am until 9am and then the students return to school. 

This new role of mine is in addition to my full time job as the 4-H Extension Educator with Freeborn County where I have been doing this type of work for over 20 years (just outside of the school day).  And now this CEO role will be connecting youth with the community during the school day.     

I welcome conversations, look forward to exposing youth to career paths, and hope to instill the sense that Freeborn County has the potential for young people to return back to one day.  Thank you for helping me to make it happen.  I look forward to crossing paths with you.-Amy Wadding”

Wadding recently completed facilitator training provided by Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship, the provider of the CEO Program nationwide, in preparation for the 2026–2027 program year.

"We are incredibly proud to see the Freeborn County CEO Program become a reality and are excited to welcome Amy Wadding as our facilitator," said the Freeborn County CEO Board of Directors. "This program exists because of the commitment of local businesses and community leaders who believe in investing in the next generation. CEO provides motivated students with opportunities they simply can't experience in a traditional classroom—building relationships with business leaders, developing entrepreneurial skills, and discovering the many career opportunities available right here in Freeborn County. We look forward to watching this program grow and evolve in the years ahead and invite our entire community to become involved by hosting business visits, serving as guest speakers or mentors, and donations of support as these outstanding students embark on their entrepreneurial journey."

Freeborn County CEO Board of Directors

Board Chair: Mark Habben – Crossroad Trailers
Vice Chair: Susie Miller – Arcadian Bank
Secretary: Jill Tweed – Mayo Clinic Health System
Director: Matt Twedt – Intellicents
Director: Jessica Tomschin – Arcadian Bank
Director: Emma Habben – The Broadway
Director: Gary Schindler – Albert Lea Education Foundation Representative
Director: Tim Lau – Produce State Bank
Director: Trice Studier – Glenville-Emmons School District, K-12 Principal
Director: Steve Heil – Albert Lea Area Schools, Superintendent
Director: Sean Gaston – Albert Lea Area Schools, High School Principal
The board played an instrumental role in bringing the CEO Program to Freeborn County by securing local funding, building partnerships, and establishing the foundation for a sustainable program that will connect students with businesses and community leaders for years to come. The board remains committed to expanding the program's impact and welcomes continued community support as the CEO Program grows in Freeborn County. Financial contributions to the Freeborn County CEO Program are tax-deductible through our fiscal sponsor, the Albert Lea Area Education Foundation. Together, we can continue creating meaningful opportunities for the next generation of entrepreneurs and community leaders.

For more information about the Freeborn County CEO Program, visit https://www.freeborncountyceo.com. And follow us on Facebook & Instagram: Freeborn County CEO.