Leadership Team
Jim Hilt - Chief Executive Officer
Jim Hilt has more than 25 years of consumer-focused business experience, leading some of the world’s top companies and brands. He has shaped and directed innovative, high-performance teams across product, technology, marketing, analytics and business development. He has built a reputation for fostering an intrapreneurial and entrepreneurial culture that enhances the customer experience, streamlines employee operations and brings products to life. Prior to joining AMS, Jim unified a family of photography and customized product brands as President of Shutterfly, Inc. While there, he oversaw business strategy and created meaningful customer connections through deeper brand experiences and strategic acquisitions and partnerships. Jim also held leadership roles at Express, Barnes & Noble, Sears, SAP and IBM, where he managed product launches, delivered industry-first technological approaches, spearheaded international brand expansions and identified and initiated significant growth opportunities. Jim currently sits on the Board of Directors for major athletic apparel retailer Hibbett Sporting Goods and is a 2018 Henry Crown Fellow from the Aspen Institute. Having grown up in Minnesota and North Dakota, he received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Minnesota. Jim enjoys helping his son build his growing coin collection, spending time with this family and supporting his community through several causes. He has a passion for making art and creativity more accessible for children of all backgrounds, teaching the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs and removing systemic disparities that hinder equitable access to healthcare.
Natalie Mehrhoff - Chief Financial Officer
Natalie has held the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of AMS since 2018 after serving as the corporate controller for three years. Natalie has over 20 years of Finance experience and as CFO, Natalie is a key member of the senior leadership team. She drives strategic financial decision making and is responsible for the Accounting and Procurement departments at AMS which include critical business functions such as general accounting, banking and lending relationships, financial systems, corporate finance, financial reporting, budgeting and financial planning, cash management, and procurement. Prior to joining AMS, Natalie held various positions in corporate finance at Alliant Techsystems (ATK), which was an aerospace and defense contractor in the Twin Cities. She gained valuable experience during her seven years at ATK through her roles as senior manager of financial reporting, director of corporate financial planning and analysis, and director of planning and reporting. She spent the first six years of her career in public accounting at Deloitte. Natalie holds a CPA license (inactive) and received a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN. Outside of work, Natalie enjoys reading, traveling, cake decorating, and spending time with her husband and three children who keep life very busy!
Katie Wilhoit - General Counsel
Katie has advised AMS on legal, regulatory and compliance matters since April 2012. Prior to joining AMS, Katie was a partner at Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly, where she practiced law for 11 years in the firm’s commercial litigation practice group. Katie graduated cum laude with degrees in History and French from DePauw University, and graduated magna cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law. Katie maintains a strong spirit of volunteerism and community service; and lived in both Haiti and Guatemala as a service volunteer prior to attending law school. These days, when she is not in the office, you might find Katie traveling to listen to live music, reading a book on a lake in Wisconsin, or spending time with family and friends.
Brian Larson - VP of Sales & Marketing
Brian joined AMS in 2008 as an Outbound Sales Representative. Since that time, he has expanded his contributions to AMS in positions including Sales Manager, Director of Sales prior to his promotion to Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Brian received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh and his MBA from Hamline University. Prior to joining us, Brian served 20 years in leadership positions within Financial Services. While Brian's wife grew up in Minnesota and supports the Vikings, Brian hopped the border bringing his Green and Gold Packers Flag... He's proud that his children have also followed suit!
Bob Wilkie - VP of Product Development
Bob originally joined AMS in 2008 and returned to the company in 2018. Bob started his 25+ year career as a Direct Marketer in 1994 with the Sportsman’s Guide in South St. Paul. From there he held management positions with Best Buy and Target before entering the coin industry with The Washington Mint. Within AMS, Bob managed several marketing channels before moving into the Product group. While not a coin collector, he is an avid sports card collector, which helps him understand the mind of a collector. Bob and his son are looking forward to starting annual trips to Europe. Bob also loves to sing and can be found in various karaoke bars in the Twin Cities.
Dena Rieken - VP of Human Resources
For over 11 years, Dena has been a strategic leader in Human Resources at AMS. She has over 25 years of responsible and progressive experience developing best practices for companies. As the top people person, she strives to recruit the best and brightest talent that fosters a strong company culture. She is the most fulfilled helping employees grow professionally and nurturing many relationships that lead to a great employee experience. She also leads a strong Corporate Compliance team. Prior to AMS, she was the VP of Human Resources at Advantage Management Company, a transportation & logistics company for 10 years. She holds a BA in Business from Winona State University. Out of the office, she is spending time with her family and friends enjoying life. She is ready to travel at any time for the simple joy of it and you can find her helping a close friend with her boutique store.
Terry Smith - VP of Operations
Terry has been with AMS since 2006 where he was brought in to run the fulfillment operations for all of the AMS brands and within 2 years promoted to VP of Operations with the added responsibilities of running one of the brands sales and service call centers, facility operations for all sites and sales compliance. Today Terry’s primary areas are facility and security operations and fulfillment for both MN and FL. Prior to AMS Terry spent 10 years with Fidelity Investments leading a 7x24 180 employee Mass Mail operation out of Covington, KY. Prior to that Terry held operations and production management positions with Gap, Inc., Mari-Mi, Inc. and 7 years with Conagra Foods/ACTII out of Edina, MN. Terry resides in Mankato and is married with one son excelling at Bethany College and enjoys road trips all over the US and the occasional (and too infrequent) Maui vacations as well as sports and spending time with family. Fun fact about Terry is that he has been a Minnesota sports fan since he was 10, wait, that’s not a fun fact…