leadership
Executive Management
G. Thomas Ahern
CEO, Capstone and Coughlan Companies, Inc.
Tom joined Capstone and its parent company, Coughlan Companies, Inc., in 2007. He is responsible for the overall vision, strategy, and direction of the company. Prior to joining Coughlan Companies, Tom served as CEO of Swiftknowledge, Inc., a Minnesota Fastest 50 growth company and was Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for PLATO Learning, Inc. Tom earned a B.A. in Communication Studies from Northwestern University, Evanston.
Todd R. Brekhus
President, Capstone Digital Solutions
Before joining Capstone, Todd held a variety of executive positions, including Vice President and CMO of PLATO Learning, President and COO of Learning Elements, and Education Program Director for MCI WorldCom, where he helped build and implement the Marco Polo program. Todd also spent eight years in education as a teacher, department chair, and Technology Director and currently serves on the Board of the Educational Division of The Software Information Industry Association. A graduate of Concordia College, Todd completed graduate studies at John Hopkins University.
Matthew A. Keller
Chief Marketing Officer, Capstone
Before joining Capstone in 2002, Matt served as Vice President of Marketing for AGS, a curriculum and assessment publisher for special needs children. Matt brings more than 20 years experience in the publishing industry to his role as Chief Marketing Officer. Matt holds a B.A. in English and Business from St. John's University, Collegeville.
William R. Rouse
COO and CFO, Coughlan Companies, Inc.
Bill provides direction in operations and finance for Coughlan Companies, comprised of Capstone and Mankato Kasota Stone. Before joining Coughlan Companies in 2008, Bill served as the Vice President and General Manager of Anchor Block Company and the Holmberg Company, and as President of Cargill’s Seed Division. Bill has a B.A. in Political Science from Northwest Missouri State University, Marysville.
Miles E. Stevens-Hoare
Managing Director, Heinemann-Raintree, Raintree
As the Managing Director of Capstone’s Heinemann-Raintree division, Miles leads the publisher’s U.K. and U.S. business. Before joining Capstone in 2009, Miles was the Managing Director of Scholastic Book Clubs and Fairs. Miles has extensive experience across a range of other publishing formats having lead Panini in the U.K. and worked for DeAgostini and EMAP.
Ashley C. Andersen Zantop
Group Publisher and General Manager
Before joining Capstone in 2011, Ashley served as CEO, President, Publisher, and a member of the board of directors of Palm Publishing, LLC and prior to that, at Trudy Corporation, an independent children’s publishing company. She began her career in publishing with Plymouth Press, Vergennes, Vt. She has over 20 years experience in the publishing industry and is responsible for the strategic development and growth of the Capstone product line. Ashley holds degrees in English Literature (AB) and Elementary Education (AB.ED) from the University of Michigan as well as teaching certificates (CERT K-5, CERT 6-8). She also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Fairfield University, Fairfield, Conn, where she founded and serves as Co-President of the MFA Alumni Association.
Ross Gilbertson
Chief Information Officer, Coughlan Companies, Inc.
Ross joined Coughlan Companies, Inc. in April 2013. He focuses on developing the company's information technology strategy and roadmap, driving innovation and building a customer centric platform that allows for expanded growth. Prior to joining Coughlan Companies, Ross was Vice President of Information Technology for Caribou Coffee Companies and has also held technology leadership positions at Chamilia and Pro Staff Personnel Services. He brings more than 25 years of business and technology experience from a variety of industries including retail, wholesale, banking, and professional services. Ross earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Information Technology Management from Concordia University in St. Paul, MN.
Senior Management
Gail S. Beer
Vice President of Customer Relations & Fulfillment, Capstone
Gail is responsible for Capstone’s distribution center, customer service, purchasing, and bids and contracts area. Before joining Capstone in 1997, Gail managed the customer service department at Coloplast. Gail attended Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Eric S. Fitzgerald
Vice President of Direct Sales, Capstone
With 16 years of sales experience, Eric is responsible for the internal and external publishing company sales representatives. Prior to joining Capstone in 2001, Eric owned Fitzgerald Library Resources and served as National Sales Manager at Sagebrush Corporation.
Crista L. Kippes
Director of Information Technology, Coughlan Companies, Inc.
Crista joined Coughlan Companies, Inc., in 2009 and brings more than 20 years of technology leadership experience. Her varied career includes directing software development teams at C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., working as a performance management consultant, and working with an international community of scientists and educators at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder. Crista received a B.A. in Political Science from Carleton College, Northfield.
Stephen A. Neir
Director of Finance of Coughlan Companies, Inc.
Steve joined Coughlan Companies, Inc., in 1990 and is responsible for the accounting, tax, banking, and insurance portions of the business. Steve has more than 20 years of finance experience, serving as Controller at Shari Candies and as the Office Manager at Lagers. Steve holds an Associates degree in Accounting from Mankato Commercial College, Mankato.
Steven J. Sorenson
Vice President of Finance, Coughlan Companies, Inc.
Steve has more than 20 years experience in all phases of finance, operations, administration, and systems management. Before joining Coughlan Companies, Inc., Steve served as Chief Financial Officer for NuWay Cooperative, and as Chief Financial Officer for Associated Milk Producers, Inc. Steve has a B.S. in Accounting from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and an M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul.
Board of Directors
Robert J. Coughlan
Owner and Principal, Coughlan Companies, Inc.
Board Member: 1992
Bob, with his brother Jim, are the fourth-generation of Coughlans leading the diversified Coughlan Companies, Inc. As the family-owned company expanded with stone, banking, land development holdings and publishing, it developed centralized management and administrative services to serve its three operating companies: Capstone, Mankato Kasota Stone, and Jordan Sands. Before Bob’s tenure on the Board, he served in a variety of executive leadership positions in the manufacturing and publishing industries. Currently, Bob is a Board member for the Association of Educational Publishers, Greater Mankato Early Learning Initiative and enjoys being involved in CEO peer to peer roundtables. Bob graduated from Gonzaga University, Spokane, with a B.A. in History.
James P. Coughlan
Owner and Principal, Coughlan Companies, Inc. Board Member: 1992
In 1983, Jim and his brother Bob became the fourth-generation owners of the Coughlan Stone Quarry. Today, Coughlan Companies, Inc. is comprised of Capstone, Mankato Kasota Stone, and Jordan Sands and provides centralized management and administrative services to all businesses under Jim and Bob’s, direction. Jim managed the development of the stone business and expanded the publishing imprints to include fiction under the Stone Arch Books imprint. Jim studied Agricultural Economics at Gonzaga University, Spokane, and the University of Minnesota, St. Paul.
G. Thomas Ahern
CEO, Capstone and Coughlan Companies, Inc.
Tom joined Capstone and its parent company, Coughlan Companies, Inc., in 2007. He is responsible for the overall vision, strategy, and direction of the company. Prior to joining Coughlan Companies, Tom served as CEO of Swiftknowledge, Inc., a Minnesota Fastest 50 growth company and was Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for PLATO Learning, Inc. Tom earned a B.A. in Communication Studies from Northwestern University, Evanston.
William L. Kozitza
Board Member: 2008
Bill is a former Executive Vice President and CFO of Taylor Corporation. He is Secretary and investor in Rembrandt Enterprises, Inc., an in-line liquid egg producer. He is also an investor and serves as Director of Riverland Bancorporation, and serves on the Board of Directors of Northland Securities and the Minnesota Racing Commission. Before joining Taylor Corporation in 1979, Bill worked as a CPA for McGladrey Hendrickson in Sioux Falls. Bill graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato, with a B.S. in Accounting.
Dennis E. Miller
Board Member: 2008
Dennis is a former President and CEO of Midwest Wireless/Alltel, and also served as Vice President of Minnesota Operations for Pacific Telecom Cellular and Corporate Sales Manager for Northwest Telephone Company. He currently serves on the Immanuel St. Joseph's-Mayo Health System Board of Directors (Vice Chair) and Minnesota State University Foundation Board of Directors. Dennis holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and a mini-MBA from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
David W. Smith
Board Member: 2012
David is a former Independent Director, Acting CEO and Chairman of Plato Learning Company. He also served as Independent Director for Scientific Learning Corporation, CEO for National Computer Systems/NCS Pearson, and held several senior executive positions with Houghton Mifflin and McGraw-Hill publishing companies. David currently is Lead Director at Capella Education Company. He also is President of Woodwinds, LLC, and serves as an Outside Director for Inscape Publishing. David holds an M.B.A. from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, and a B.S. and M.S. from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.
Bradley J. Schreier
Board Member: 2013
Brad is one of the original founding partners of Taylor Corporation, headquartered in Mankato, MN. He served as President and COO from 1985-2001 and CEO from 2001-2007. Upon retirement in 2008, he served as Vice-Chairman of Taylor Corporation until 2011. Brad is currently Chairman of Schreier Family Holdings, which is comprised of several family owned businesses managed by his two sons. He was a member of the Malto Meal Company board for nine years serving as their lead director for six of those years. He has been active in many volunteer and civic organizations including the United Way, Mankato Hospital, Mankato Area Catholic Schools, and Holy Rosary Church.
