In January, the Austin Area Foundation honored the contributions and leadership of AAF founder and board president Mike Ruzek during the group’s annual meeting, as Ruzek passed the torch of his board chair position to incoming member Rod Nordeng.

The foundation also reported record distributions, and it voted in new board members Dave Forman, Allan Williams and Tom Wuertz.

Ruzek, founding chair of AAF, was recognized at the meeting for being instrumental in the 2003 establishment Austin’s community foundation and developing its mission to enhance the community through charitable giving.

Ruzek stepped down from his role as president after 13 years. To prepare for the transition, he’s worked closely with Executive Director Jeff Baldus and Nordeng, and will remain on board as an ex officio member.

Nordeng has served four years on the AAF board previously. He is the Austin and Albert Lea Operations Administrator for Mayo Clinic Health System and leadership responsibilities include Eye Centers, Mayo Clinic Stores and Surgical Services. He is Administrator for Department of Community Urology, Mayo Clinic in the Midwest and holds three masters degrees: MBA, Healthcare Administration and Servant Leadership.

“I am very confident in the new leadership,” said Ruzek, an Austin native, in a press release. “Helping establish Austin Area Foundation has been a tremendous opportunity for me to do something positive for the community now and into the future, and it is a great joy for me to see the leadership and the mission of Austin Area Foundation carried out by such great advocates.”

Some of the accomplishments during his tenure include partnerships with the Veterans Memorial Project, Austin Dog Park and establishment of three funds: Legacy Endowment, Basic Needs and Greatest Needs. In 2008, Ruzek helped secure a position for AAF to become a qualifying organization on the board of The Hormel Foundation. Baldus will now represent AAF on The Hormel Foundation board.

“This has been a challenging journey and a rewarding one,” Ruzek said in the release. “The concept of a community foundation when there is a much larger foundation established can take time to develop, but a community foundation holds a special place. It gives the ordinary person and family a path to leave a lasting legacy in support of the community they love. We have and will continue to make a positive difference in our community and we are grateful to have the opportunity to serve in this way.”

Treasurer Ron Walth presented Financial Reports at the annual meeting, noting total AAF assets as of Dec. 31, 2016 of just over $1,022,161. Due to an increase of donations over the years and good investment returns the Austin Area Foundation states the distributions for 2017 are at an all-time high. The distributions for the Austin Legacy Fund will be $22,000 and for the Basic Needs Fund $3,000. Distributions from donor advised funds and agency funds will be $4,975.

New board members Forman, Williams and Wuertz were elected to replace outgoing board members Steve Binder, Carla Conradt and Sarah Nelson.

“We are hopeful for the future and know Mike’s contributions and our vision for this community foundation have been embraced and appreciated by the community,” Baldus said in a press release. “We believe great success is ahead.”