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Frederick OssChief Executive Officer

As a second-generation owner and CEO, Fred works every day to ensure that we maintain a small-town feel regardless of how much we continue to grow. Fred is passionate about making our customers look good.

With more than 20 years of experience in the sign industry and Gemini’s other segments, Fred believes if you just listen to the customer, they will tell you what you need to know. The same applies to employees. While many leaders promote an open-door policy, Fred has removed the door to his office altogether. Regardless of how much the company grows, Fred is never too busy to stop and talk.

Fred and Siri, his wife of 25 years, enjoy spending time with their three kids and their dog. For Fred, where there is water, there is a fish and a catch. Now that all of the kids are off to college, there’s a little more time for both. 

Fred holds a law degree from the University of Minnesota and an economics degree from St. Olaf College.

Kris Hanson
Executive Vice President

As Executive Vice President of Customer Experience, Kris leads the front end of our business with responsibilities covering Product Management, Marketing, Customer Experience, Sales and Business Development. He and his teams work diligently to ensure an industry-leading experience for our customers. In his 15 years of experience leading product and marketing teams, Kris has learned that people are the key to success.

With a proven track record of portfolio and product line strategies that drive growth and innovation, Kris leads the team by applying our core values of customer focus, curiosity, and teamwork. Ultimately, the goal is to offer our customers innovative products and services, which lead to mutual growth and opportunity.

When Kris isn’t in the office, you might find him traveling with his wife, Dondi, or hunting pheasants with his lab, Finn.

Kris holds a degree in strategic communication from the University of Minnesota and an MBA in marketing and entrepreneurship from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management.

Rick Vossen
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

As Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Rick and his team are responsible for the operations of our business, including financial reporting, forecasting, treasury management, risk mitigation, human resources and Gemstar.

With over 20 years of finance experience, Rick knows that the whole story is more than just the numbers. Rick believes in active engagement. He encourages his teams to get out to the plants, learn the processes, see the facilities, and get to know the people who work in them.

To Rick, a good CFO must have an analytical mind, integrity, a sense of responsibility, respect, and humility. Rick loves his job because, in Gemini, he has found an organization big enough to provide the resources you need and close enough to have a meaningful impact.

Rick Vossen, CPA (inactive), graduated from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management with a degree in accounting.

Mark Hedin
President, Gemstar

As President, Mark leads our Gemstar business. Twenty-five years of experience in sales and operations has taught Mark the value of listening to our customers, acting decisively on what we learn, and treating people the way we want to be treated.

Mark believes in leading by example. He encourages his team managers to run their operations like small businesses so our customers can benefit from our size without having to sacrifice the small-town experience.  

Mark has been with Gemini for over 15 years. He appreciates working for a family-owned company that takes pride in taking care of its employees.

He graduated from the Minnesota State University, Mankato with a degree in management and human resource management.  

A lifelong Minnesotan, Mark spends his summers with his family on their boat, exploring the beautiful St. Croix River.

Oliver Downer

Oliver Downer
Chief Information & Digital Officer

As CIO & CDO at Gemini, Oliver is responsible for employing technology to help digitally transform the business. He has over 20 years of experience in strategic business development, digital products, and information technology, with deep expertise in understanding, defining, and delivering the technology necessary to provide extraordinary customer experiences. He has led digital product and IT departments in professional education and retail industries, and his team is focused on driving business value via the empowerment of teams to deliver customer-focused digital and technology solutions.

Oliver brings an authentic and engaging leadership style focused on collaboration, alignment, transparency, and agile methodologies. He and his team focus on how to best leverage technology to create efficiencies and drive customer experiences for Gemini’s partners.

Oliver and his wife, Shelly, enjoy spending time with their family, friends, and traveling as much as possible. You can also find them at many concerts, shows, and sporting events.

Phil Jacobson
Vice President of Human Resources

Phil Jacobson and his team are responsible for supporting the engagement and development of our people. Phil was motivated to join Gemini when Fred Oss, Gemini’s CEO, asked him to “help Gemini grow as an organization while preserving the culture that has made us so successful.” The Gemini culture values people and a passion for serving the customer. Phil and the entire human resources team have taken this mission to heart.

Over Phil’s thirty-plus years of experience, he has demonstrated the consistent ability to foster positive cultures that deliver strong team engagement and successful business performance. Phil believes an organization’s success results from aligning the company’s objectives with the individual’s objectives. 

Phil and his wife, Denise, enjoy spending time with their two children and their grandchildren. The entire family stays active by volunteering in the community and enjoying the outdoors. A particular passion for Phil is taking trips into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

Phil holds a degree in organizational management from Gustavus Adolphus College. 

Greg Carlson
Vice President of Operations

As VP of operations, Greg and his team are responsible for ensuring that we can provide Gemini customers with a high-quality product, delivered faster and more cost-effective than they can produce themselves. Greg and his team are committed to aligning all of our resources to serve our customers best.

With almost three decades of experience in engineering and operations management, Greg believes that the company’s success depends on gaining the respect and engagement of the employees he serves. When he took on the role of VPO, Greg spent two years visiting each production facility to meet every employee. Greg is adamant about connecting with the people he leads.

Greg resides in Farmington, Minnesota with his college sweetheart, Stefanie, and his boys, Eli and Sam. When he isn’t coaching the boys’ baseball and basketball teams, Greg enjoys fishing and traveling to national parks with the family for hiking excursions.  

Greg graduated from St. Cloud State University with a degree in manufacturing engineering technology.