Born and raised in Albert Lea and graduated ALHS 1974.
Higher Education:
University of Minnesota BS 1978 Major: Business & Psychology, Minor: Economics & Sociology.
Family:
Wife Sue, son Michael (32 – U of M ‘08) and daughter Melissa (29 – Metro State ‘12)
Career:
Business owner 1983 – present.
Long Branch Saloon, Manchester, MN 1983 – 1988.
Main Street Bar & Grill, Manchester, MN 1989 – 1996
Main Street Grill, Alden, MN 1995 – 2014
MineAgain’s Bar & Grill , Alden, MN October 2017 – present.
Joined the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association in 1984 as member.
Board of Directors 1986 – 2014.
President 1999 – 2000.
Chairman of the Board 2001 – 2005.
Worked as a small business advocate with MLBA and was one of the main architects of developing MLBA’s successful lobbying program.
One of the founding members of the American Beverage Licensees (ABL) a national trade association group organization based in Washington DC and served as vice-president for a term.
MLBA Children’s Fund: Vice President/ Executive Director 2000 – 2014.
Assumed leadership of a 501 (c) 3 charity that just two months prior had heavy fines and sanctions place on it by the Minnesota Gambling Control Board. Immediately the ship was righted and became a model charity that was referenced several times over the past years by the MN GCB.
Political:
1980 DFL endorsed district 31A Minnesota. Lost.
1982 DFL endorsed. Lost
1986 DFL endorsed district 27A. Lost.
Ran each time against Bob Haukoos who ended up 16-year legislator.
Local groups involvement over the years:
United Way
YMCA
Mayo Health Systems Patient Advisory Group
Member St. Theodore’s Catholic Church
Other:
University of Minnesota Extension Tourism Advisory Committee 10 years
Since 1983 I have not only been a small business owner but I have also worked tirelessly in conjunction with the MLBA advocating for small businesses at the local, state and federal level.
Top Issues:
Healthcare – Affordability and accessibility in rural areas.
Agriculture – Southern Minnesota relies on a strong farm economy. Unnecessary tariffs on Ag products hurt Minnesota.
Constituent Services – I promise to deliver the best constituent services program of any legislative office in Washington DC.