staff bios

Many members of our firm have had substantive experience in public relations, public affairs and government. We not only understand how to effectively communicate with audiences, but, more importantly, how to engage and motivate audiences to take action. Himle Horner has contributed to dozens of success stories in effectively moving issues at the local, state and national levels.

Our Team

JOHN HIMLE
TODD RAPP
ANNA YOUNGERMAN
CHUCK TOMBARGE
JESSIE SORENSEN
COLIN COX
STEPHANIE DEVITT
SARA FROEHLICH
STEPHANIE BORNETUN

JOHN HIMLE
Co-Founder and Principal

Prior to the formation of Himle Horner, Himle was president of the public relations firm Himle & Associates, Inc. He formed the company in 1982 and expanded it into Himle Horner in partnership with Thomas Horner.

From 1978 to 1982, Himle was executive director of the Minnesota Agri-Growth Council, an agribusiness trade association in Minnesota. Before that, he was government relations assistant for Northwest Bancorporation, now Wells Fargo, a multi-bank and financial services company.

First elected in 1980, Himle served five terms as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives and held leadership positions including assistant majority leader, floor leader and assistant minority leader. Appointed by Governor Carlson in 1991, Himle also served eight years as a member of the Metropolitan Airports Commission where he was responsible for overseeing the governmental approvals and construction program related to the $2.5 billion expansion of the country’s 10th largest hub airport at Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP).

Raised in a southeastern Minnesota farming community, Himle graduated with a B.A. in Economics from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. Among his current outside activities, Himle is a corporate director of the Kraus Anderson Companies, a trustee of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, vice chair of the Public Affairs Council in Washington, DC and a trustee of the Nature Conservancy, Minnesota Chapter.

Himle has received various recognitions for his service, including the "Government Affairs Service Award" from the Advertising Federation of Minnesota and the "First Decade Distinguished Alumni Award" from Gustavus Adolphus College.

TODD RAPP
Principal

Prior to joining Himle Horner, Rapp served as Director of Minnesota Government Affairs for Xcel Energy (formerly Northern States Power Company). In this role, he developed and managed company strategies for legislative affairs in the areas of energy, environmental and tax policy. In the fall of 2000, Minnesota Law and Politics magazine included Rapp in its list of top lobbyists in Minnesota. While Himle Horner is not a lobbying firm, Rapp’s corporate experience in issues management, organizational strategy and crisis communications provide significant strategic value for clients with legislative, regulatory and public communications needs.

Previously, Rapp served in a number of key positions in Minnesota government and politics. As the Executive Director for former House Speaker and Majority Leader Phil Carruthers, Rapp served as Carruthers’ chief political advisor for four legislative sessions from 1994 through 1997. Rapp also worked as Campaign Director for Majority Leader Roger Moe and the Senate Majority Caucus in 1996, and as Political Director for the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party from 1990-93. Managing the research, media, voter identification and get-out-the-vote programs, Rapp played a critical role in the upset victories of Senator Paul Wellstone, Representatives Collin Peterson and David Minge and nearly two dozen state legislative challengers.

Rapp is a guest commentator on state and national public affairs for Minnesota Public Radio, and is often asked by the news media, private organizations and public entities to share perspectives on the current political environment in Minnesota and the United States.

Rapp is currently President of the Minnesota Taxpayers Association, which provides non-partisan research on the impact of fiscal policies in Minnesota, as well as the Advisory Committee for the Minnesota Urban Debate League. Rapp also has presented at state and national conferences on the topics of strategic communications, grassroots strategies and ethics in government.

ANNA YOUNGERMAN
Director

Prior to joining Himle Horner, Youngerman spent several years with the Minnesota House of Representatives DFL Caucus in legislative and campaign capacities. Most recently, she was the campaign director for the caucus. In this role, she administered the caucus’ media and direct mail communication, assisted in the production and analysis of public opinion research and served as spokesperson. During the 2001 and 2002 legislative sessions, Youngerman was the redistricting analyst for the DFL House.

Previously, Youngerman served as a statewide field director and regional field coordinator, overseeing large grassroots campaign efforts. She also spent time in the St. Paul capitol pressroom as legislative assistant to the Twin Cities NBC affiliate KARE 11’s capitol reporter.

Youngerman graduated from Lake Forest College in Illinois with a B.A. in English.

CHUCK TOMBARGE
Account Supervisor

Prior to joining Himle Horner, Tombarge served as communications specialist for the Minnesota Judicial Branch where he managed and expanded the judiciary’s efforts to build public trust and confidence through outreach and education. He also served as Judicial Branch spokesperson and assisted the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and District Courts statewide with media relations, speechwriting, legislative efforts, and other internal and external communications initiatives.

Previously, Tombarge worked as news reporter for the Rochester, Minn. Post-Bulletin and the Austin, Minn. Daily Herald from 1995-2000. He wrote about city government, railroad issues, law enforcement, the court system, education and general assignment news. In 1999, he received the Frank Premack Public Affairs Journalism Award for his work on a team-reported series about domestic violence.

Tombarge earned B.A.s in print journalism and public relations from the University of St. Thomas.

JESSIE SORENSEN
Senior Account Executive

Prior to joining Himle Horner, Sorensen spent two years working in the Office of Governor Tim Pawlenty in policy research and communications capacities. Most recently, she was the health care communications specialist and public events communications coordinator. In this role, she assisted in the development of communications strategies for the Governor’s Health Cabinet, the Governor’s Fitness Initiative and reviewed all communications materials from the departments of Health and Human Services. She also produced the governor’s weekly radio show, "Good Morning, Minnesota," on WCCO-AM and administered advance for all Governor’s Office public events.

Previously, Sorensen served as a research analyst for the Office of Strategic Planning and Results Management where she conducted policy research for the governor’s initiatives. Prior to joining the Governor’s Office, Sorensen worked at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and as a freelance writer in the Twin Cities.

Sorensen earned a B.A. in English from Holy Cross College in Worcester, MA.

COLIN COX
Account Executive

Prior to joining Himle Horner, Cox spent over six years overseeing the development of print and online resources for finding and understanding affordable housing, managing print and online communication, presenting at conferences and workshops, and serving as liaison to policymakers and media. He also has been involved with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, including presenting at several conferences and co-founding a monthly communication series.

Previously, Cox worked at the Minnesota House of Representatives and for the House DFL caucus. In addition, he taught high school public speaking in Illinois and writing at the University of Minnesota. 

Cox earned a B.A. in communication studies and education from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI and has completed graduate course work in communication studies at the University of Minnesota.

STEPHANIE DEVITT
Account Executive

Prior to joining Himle Horner, Devitt was a consultant with M+R Strategic Services, an issue campaign consulting firm. At M+R, Devitt provided strategic planning, campaign management and technical assistance to local-level coalitions advocating for smoke-free policies in Minnesota. Devitt also oversaw the creation of online constituent management and advocacy technologies for local issue campaigns, and provided tailored training for effective online and grassroots communication.

Previously, Devitt worked as Special Projects Manager at ServeMinnesota, administrator of Minnesota’s AmeriCorps program. She managed the organization’s outreach to the Minnesota State Legislature and the state’s Congressional Delegation, and oversaw communications and grant writing.  

Devitt began her career as an aide to U.S. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle. She worked as an outreach coordinator in his state office and oversaw regional communications. Devitt also managed all community projects, including appropriations outreach, and planned and executed the Senator’s events for a 14-county territory. 

Devitt earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of Minnesota. She also earned a Masters of Public Policy from the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, and was a recipient of the first Humphrey Institute Advisory Council tuition scholarship for future public affairs leaders.

SARA FROEHLICH
Account Executive

Prior to joining Himle Horner, Froehlich spent several years working in the retail and travel industries. For Carlson Companies, she managed a crisis help team and coordinated group travel events for clients.

Froehlich has extensive experience in research, database maintenance and project management. She has strong skills in website development, online advocacy, and media relations.

Froehlich earned a B.A. in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences from Moorhead State University. She also spent a semester at City University in London studying the development of speech communication.

STEPHANIE BORNETUN
Assistant Account Executive

Prior to joining Himle Horner, Bornetun interned at U.S. Senator Norm Coleman’s legislative office in St. Paul. In her position, she wrote editorial content and grant announcements. Bornetun also assisted with media relations for the senator’s statewide community events. 

Previously, Bornetun held a marketing and public relations internship at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities. Bornetun assisted with outreach campaigns and the development of communications materials, and managed several creative projects.

Bornetun earned a B.A. in public relations and political science from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.