Commissioner Statement:
It is truly an honor to serve the people of Minneapolis as a steward of our parks. I have traveled a great deal in my life and believe that there are two things that set Minneapolis apart as a great city. One is our support for the arts and the other is our fantastic park system.

The quality and health of life in Minneapolis is synonymous with that of our parks. As such we need to continuously work to build on the rich history of our parks, while always looking for ways to strengthen an already strong and vibrant system.

First Elected (MPRB):
November 2005

Term of Office:
Jan. 1, 2006-Dec. 31, 2009

Other Park Related Appointments/Committees:
Foundation for Minneapolis Parks
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board
Riverfront Corporation

Citywide Focus/Interest:
I support the Park Board’s goals of Environment, Recreation and Community. To these I would add Stewardship.

As your Park Commissioner, I will focus on:
• Environmental stewardship & water quality
• Arts programs in our parks
• Youth and recreation
• Parkland for the upper Mississippi River
• Fiscal responsibility & accountability
• Community based & transparent decision-making

New Developments or Initiatives:
I want to capitalize on our past success in youth programming and do it in a way that is responsive to the incredible pressure on our urban youth today. We can be their hope, their opportunity!

We all need to focus on creating a Board that is stable, transparent and accessible.

WATER QUALITY! I want to push forward with 20 years of success in improving water quality.

And finally, I want to demand equity in the quality and access of our parks in every part of our city.

Background:
I came to Minneapolis from South Dakota in 1981 to attend the University. I had never been to Minneapolis, but I fell in love with the place and the people. I put myself through school teaching theater and music to young kids at MacPhail and working as a camp councilor at YMCA in the summers. Best jobs I ever had. My love of the arts and the outdoors has stayed with me to this day.

Work:
I have worked in real estate and public policy for 22 years. I started my career as the Manager of Facilities with the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, while working my way through college.

The majority of my career has been spent at Artspace Projects, Inc., as Vice President of Properties from 1987-2003, where I was responsible for the development of the organization’s current portfolio of over $200 million in real estate holdings as well as management and operations of the Real Estate Development, Consulting, Asset Management and Property Management divisions of the organization.

In 2003 I began working independently and I am now a consultant on arts development for Artspace and other clients around the country.

Education:
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, BA European History

Achievements:
My greatest achievements have been through my volunteer work over the years. I have volunteered for a number of organizations, including the Frank Theater, Intermedia Arts, Famine Chorus Gallery House, Minneapolis Arts Commission, Zenon Dance Theater, Social Actors in Transformation, MN AidsRide, Children’s Miracle Network, Santa Cruz Ballet Theater, The Norshore Theatre Project, MN Aids Memorial, Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, MN State Arts Board, Central Community Housing Trust, Yanisch for US Senate and the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program.

Special Interests:
I enjoy running, canoeing, rollerblading, hiking and just hanging out in our great parks! I also enjoy mountain biking, sailing and travel along with movies and theater.

Personal/Family:
I live with my partner of five years and our dog on Cedar Lake.