Extensive Experience and Knowledge
The Copper River Group offers the experience and knowledge you're seeking to take your organization to the next level.
Dan Fisher, President and CEO
In 2005, Dan formed The Copper River Group which offers consulting and research services to the education and financial services industries.
He is a noted speaker and author with over 30 years of experience in banking, focusing on technology and payments systems. He is also a leader in the financial industry as a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, Chairman of the ABA Payments Committee, a member of the ICBA Payments Committee and is currently on the faculty of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University and the University of Mary (North Dakota). He also serves on the Incubator Mentor Council at the Research and Technology Park NDSU. He participated in the industry effort with the Federal Reserve culminating in the passage and implementation of the Check-21 legislation. Dan is a recognized expert in the area of financial services and payments technology.
He has authored or co-authored six books and has written numerous articles and white papers on technology, operations, and the payments system. His most recent books are: Capturing Your Customer, focused solely on Remote Deposit Capture (Merchant) published by The Copper River Group, and Remote Deposit Capture Practical Considerations co-authored with Paul Carrubba and published by Sheshunoff and the Risk Management Series (Remote Deposit Capture). He also writes a blog for the ABABJ titled, Beyond the Bank. Dan has also written a children’s book, A Tree for Sam and Billy.
Dan holds a Masters Degree in Education (Teaching and Technology) and a Bachelors Degree in Accounting.
Erin Mowers, Senior Education Associate
Erin is currently a Professor of Education at Minnesota State University, Moorhead. She is a former elementary teacher, literacy coach, and reading intervention specialist.
She holds the following degrees:
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Doctorate from North Dakota State University with her dissertation focusing on teacher burnout.
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Master's Degree from North Dakota State University. Her thesis focused on inclusion perceptions of elementary teachers and administrators.
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Undergraduate Degree in Education from Valley City State University.
Becky Fisher, Education Associate
During the past 16 years, she has taught at both the elementary and middle school levels in the areas of general education, gifted and talented education and Title I math. She is also a Differentiation Coach and a Writing Coach, receiving her instructional coaching certification in 2010.
In addition, she serves as a Drop Out Prevention Coordinator, Assessment Literacy teacher leader, and a member of her school improvement team. She is an assistant facilitator of professional development for her school district. She currently holds teaching licenses in three states.
A "Math for Parents" program developed by Becky received a grant from the Education Minnesota Foundation for Excellence in Teaching. She has also conducted three Starlab® residencies and has taught in a multiage elementary classroom.
As a life-long learner, Becky has earned her Master’s Degree from Valley City State University in Technology Education, and has two undergraduate degrees from the University of Houston, one in Interdisciplinary Studies specializing in reading and math, and the other one in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance.
Sarah Peper, Education Division Intern
Sarah is currently enrolled at Minnesota State University at Moorhead, majoring in education. As our intern, Sarah is currently working on research projects.