Luther President Richard Torgerson names Ann Bentdahl to Board of Regents

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Ann Bentdahl

DECORAH, IA (04/01/2013)(readMedia)-- Luther College President Richard Torgerson has announced the appointment of Ann Bentdahl of Edina, Minn., to the Luther Board of Regents. Bentdahl will assume her duties as a Luther Regent at the board's October meeting.

"Ann follows both of her parents as members of the Board of Regents. She has been a regular visitor to campus and has extensive experience on many not-for-profit boards, " said President Torgerson. "Her expertise in finance and fund development will be of tremendous value to Luther."

Bentdahl retired from her position as president and CEO of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation in December 2012. MHIF is one of the nation's top 10 centers for cardiovascular research and education.

Prior to leading the Minneapolis Heart Foundation, Bentdahl pursued a career in banking. She held private and commercial banking positions in Iowa and Minnesota. She returned to her family business, Excel Bank Minnesota, in 2001 after relocating back to the Twin Cities area. Excel was the largest state chartered bank and the 10th largest bank, including nationally chartered banks, in Minnesota.

Bentdahl served as owner and member of the board of directors of both Excel Bank Minnesota and Excel Bank Corporation. Both organizations were sold in 2007, at which time Bentdahl retired from her career in banking.

Bentdahl was recently re-elected to the Abbott Northwestern Hospitals and Clinics Foundation on the Neuro ICU/ED Capital Campaign Feasibility Committee. She currently volunteers on the board for the Ann Bancroft Foundation and served as the chair for the Ann Bancroft Dream Makers Awards from 2008-11. She recently completed a six-year term on the Hamline University Board of Trustees and continues to serve on their Fund Development Committee.

Bentdahl has also served on the boards of Ronald McDonald House Charities- Upper Midwest, Vision Loss Resources, Pillsbury United Communities and the Edina Community Foundation. She is a member of Normandale Lutheran Church, where she has served on the finance committee. Bentdahl earned a bachelor's degree in art from Luther in 1985 and is a graduate of the Minnesota School of Banking.

Bentdahl and her husband, Roger Smith, have four children and reside in Edina, Minn.

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