Current Board of Directors
Frances T. Jaffoni, President
Retired (Cargill)
Plymouth, MN
Michael Schaefbauer, Treasurer
CFP, CPA
WD Financial Services
Edina, MN
John T. Roberts, Secretary and Past President
New Counsel, PLC
Minneapolis, MN
Steven R. Heckler, Executive Director
Executive Director, Twin Cities Jazz Festival
St. Paul, MN
JC Sanford, Artistic Director
Trombonist, Composer, Conductor
Northfield, MN
Dr. Muhammad Abdurrahman
Adjunct Instructor, Hamline University
St. Paul, MN
Denise Stibal
Insurance Specialist, Focus Financial Network, Inc.
Minneapolis, MN
Michael B. Stiegler M.D.
North Memorial Clinic – Arbor Lakes
Director, Plymouth Middle School Jazz Bands
Plymouth, MN
Kristine Heckler
Project Coordinator, Twin Cities Jazz Fest
St. Paul, MN
Andrew Walesch
Artistic Director, Crooners Supper Club
Singer and pianist
Minneapolis, MN
Bill Bushnell
Advertising & Marketing Consultant
Minnetrista, MN
Honorary Directors
Robert H. Behrens,, Past President
President, Behrens Supply Company
Red Wing, MN
Dr. Douglas R. Snapp, Past Artistic Director and Founder
Chair, Department of Music, Director of Jazz Studies MSU
Mankato, MN
Executive Director
Steve Heckler, Executive Director
Steve Heckler is one of the country’s pre-eminent jazz impresarios, founding the Twin Cities Jazz Festival in 1999 and serving as its executive director ever since. This year’s festival drew more than 30,000 music fans of all ages to 19 different venues and performances by nationally acclaimed soloists and jazz combos including 300 Minnesota musicians. Heckler joined the JazzMN staff in 2015 to help broaden JazzMN’s reach and programming and to establish new partnerships with regional organizations and institutions.