Experience. Vision. Solutions.
Welcome! Let me tell you a little about my background, and why I’m running to be our next MN Senator from District 50, representing Bloomington and Edina.
I was born and raised in Minnesota; born in St. Paul and moved to Edina for grade school through graduation from Edina High School. After living in downtown and South Minneapolis for a while, my wife and I moved back to this district in 2005 to raise our family of 3 children. Our kids all went to public schools in this district. All 3 have now graduated from college and are young adults working in Chicago and New York. I now have the time and ability to devote my skills, experience and vision to improving our lives, confronting problems in government and on our streets, and thoughtfully creating solutions at the capitol.
I’ve worked on a farm, as a laborer, so I know the value and importance of hard, physical work and a strong work ethic to get things done, while working on a team. I’ve volunteered for many organizations, for many societally-improving causes, often rising into leadership roles within them. I’ve studied building trades, engineering, entrepreneurial business, and law, all with the goals to help people and improve their lives within those fields.
Most of my adult life, I’ve worked in the legal field. I started as a private investigator, and then as a licensed attorney for the past 33 years. In those roles I’ve learned how to properly evaluate complex, challenging situations, gather important information and evidence, and then advocate, negotiate, persuade, and resolve significant conflicts for my clients. I work in both transactional matters, helping with business and personal decision making, as well as litigation, fighting to persuade judges, juries, opposing counsel and even appellate courts, to understand my clients’ rights and resolve disputes in their favor. Those skills and experience are what’s needed now, to get us through these very tough times, constantly evaluating and re-evaluating options, advocating for what’s right and actually getting to solutions that work for us all.
Why I’m running
These are very serious times, more so than ever before. We need an experienced, thoughtful leader, who has worked in complex, challenging and stressful situations, with a lot on the line, to get us to a better place through thoughtful and strong advocacy.
We need STRONG leaders, with experience and vision. We need people able to think through our current challenging circumstances, and to be prepared for more challenges that are very likely ahead. I know I am that type of leader, because I have been one many times in previous areas and organizations. I think my experience, both professionally and personally, has honed the skills and attributes needed to do what’s right for our state and local community.
I have the desire, the passion, the work ethic, and the ability to be your state senator, to get things done. I will strongly advocate when needed, and still be willing to listen, mediate, negotiate, or cooperate to thoughtfully reach a reasonable resolution, when we can, or should.
I want to do those things for this District, and for the people throughout Minnesota. I’ve been advocating for individual clients, in individual cases involving 1-10 claims at a time, for over 3 decades. Now I want to be a strong advocate for all the 80,000+ constituents in Senate District 50, to get you successful solutions!
So I ask for your support. I ask for your endorsement. I ask that you help our campaign, by volunteering, contributing, and spreading the word, to move us ALL forward, positively!
Work Experience
I’ve worked in several industries, including farming, construction, hospitality, advertising and even as a college professor, teaching courses in contracts, copyrights, and music publishing.
However, most of my adult life I’ve worked in the legal profession, first as an investigator, and then as a business transactional and litigation attorney for the past 36 years. I’ve worked at mid-sized firms, smaller boutique firms, and even started my own small firm in 1999. Over the course of my legal profession, I’ve developed and sharpened my skills on a daily basis in the following areas:
Investigating the facts, applicable law, evidence and opposing issues that must be addressed, in successfully resolving whatever issues or problems my clients have encountered or are facing;
Advocating for my clients in arbitration, mediation, boardrooms, or litigation, in courtrooms, to juries, judges and appellate courts, frequently against capable, aggressive opponents, and sometimes in the face of questionable or unfair tactics;
Negotiating to get the best outcome for people, or entities, while constantly evaluating and reassessing options, priorities, economics, risks and rewards, all while always keeping the big picture in mind;
But most importantly, Listening to my clients’ needs, their goals and empathetically helping them reach those goals, many times through difficult processes and through long, complex proceedings, but always as a team, to get there together. I take on my clients’ cases and problems as though they were my own!
Volunteer Experience
I have extensively volunteered throughout my life, but below are some key organizations and positions where I’ve helped along the way
Tangletown Neighborhood Association: 1996-2001; Assisted non-profit community organization of citizens with governmental, public policy and legal needs. I served as its Vice-Chair, on its Board of Directors and as the Chair of its Business Committee. While serving, I was approached to run for Minneapolis City Council, but declined, as I had a young family, was just starting my legal career and needed to focus on doing those things well.
Minneapolis Arts Commission: 2001-05; Appointed by Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak to advise him and the Minneapolis City Council regarding arts related, public policy and legal matters pending before the City of Minneapolis. Reappointed for a second term by the City Council.
Minn State Bar Association: Served on Board of Governors, House of Delegates, New Lawyers Section, Art & Entertainment Law Section (Chair 1999-2001, Vice-Chair ‘97-‘99).
Hennepin County Association: Served on Governing Council, Nominating Committee, Membership Committee, Speakers Bureau, New Lawyers Section (Chair)
Big Brothers and Sisters of America: 1997-2000; Volunteer "Big,” serving as a volunteer mentor and role model for children in challenged circumstances.
Minnesota Music Academy: 1998-2004; Non-profit corporation with programs for education, public support, legal assistance, and promotion for MN-based artists. Annual presenter of the Minnesota Music Awards. Served as Board Member, (President 2000-2003; Vice President 1999-2000), Business Association Chair and Media & Publicity Committee Chair.
Cub Scouts: 2005-08; Served on Central Council and as Fundraising Chair; Building future good citizens!
YMCA Volunteer Coach: 2000-04; Youth sports coach, various teams.
Edina Football Association: 2007-14; Began as youth coach for 3rd grade flag players, became Board Member (2009-14, Chair (2012-14); Served as Grade Coordinator, legal advisor, and managed all aspects of youth football operations in the Chair role. I gained experience leading a surgical investigation, confrontation, and successful recovery of the non-profit’s funds, protecting the EFA the people’s contributions in that process. I also assisted Edina Mayor Jim Hovland in coordinating financial support of the EFA and other organizations with the city to finance and build the Edina Sports Dome, as a major community asset within our District.
Head Usher: Mount Olivet Lutheran Church (1998-Present).