CHICAGO - Two former Minneapolis-based Northland Securities veterans have returned to the firm to bolster its education work.
The firm said in a statement John Nefstead and Alan Hopeman have returned as senior vice presidents in its Education Strategies Group. The firm said in a statement the two had "pursued personal and other business interests for the past few years."
"Dr. Nefstead's and Mr. Hopeman's comprehensive knowledge of education financing will create a unique addition to our team of dedicated professionals in the Education Strategies Group," said the firm's director of public finance, Rusty Fifield.
The two will be joined by other public finance team members to "focus on the challenges and opportunities facing school districts," Fifield added. Other members include Michael Hart and Laurie Ukofia.
Nefstead worked at Northland from 2004 to 2009. The firm said he was a key driver in the development and growth of its education group. He served as a financial advisor at Springsted for 12 years before joining Northland and also worked for 18 years in public education including 12 years as a superintendent.
"Working with school districts, both K-12 and higher education, has been my professional passion. I am delighted to join Northland's Education Strategies Group," Nefstead said in a statement.
Hopeman has more than three decades of public finance experience. In addition to his previous work at Northland, he served as business manager for three separate Twin Cities school districts and he worked for the Minnesota House of Representatives research department.
The firm said since its founding in 2002, it has served as a financial advisor, placement agent or underwriter for more than $8.5 billion in tax exempt and taxable municipal financing in the Midwest.
Ukofia has more than 30 years of public finance experience and has provided analytics and project management to Northland education financings since 2007. Hart joined Northland in 2011 and has focused on serving school districts and local governments in Minnesota and Iowa.
