I am Not Afraid!

I am running as an Independent, as I believe our system is broken with the two major political parties gridlocked, putting political posturing ahead of solving immediate and long-term problems. I have been a moderator for the National Issues Forum and Braver Angels, two organaizations seeking civil conversations to reduce the political polarization of America. I lead discussiions on tough foreign policy issues through Global Minnesota's Great Decisions series. In all these efforts, we try to find common ground. Be Not Afraid!

Experienced and Knowledgable

I have traveled to 41 countries and all 50 of the United States. Since retiring in March 2017, I have led tours through Europe and founded a non-profit organization Best Future Center assisting refugees in Uganda. I have also been the lead on a Prior Lake Rotary Grant committee to define and then raise money for two Global Grant Projects in Nakibale Refugee Settlement in Uganda.

15 year resident of MN (1991 - 99 and 2014 - present)
Avid reader of the Economist and Foreign Affairs magazines
Visiting Professor, Business Department, LCC International Univ., Klaipeda, Lithuania, Jan-Feb, Sept-Oct 2018
Michigan State University Graduate, 1970
Stanford Law School Graduate, 1978
Agricultural Economics Ph.D program, University of California, Davis, 1970-1972, ABD
Education Administration Ph.D Program, Michigan State University, 2000-2006, ABD
State Representative, Michigan House District 55 - 2011-2012
Attorney, Washington State Legislature -1981- 1983
Attorney, WA Governor’s Office – 1983-1984
Washington State Bar Association - 1978-1997 (moved out of state)
Michigan State Bar Association, 2009 - 2015  (moved out of state)
Certified Financial Planner - 1984-1989
Private Business Manager – 15 Years
Public School Business Manager – 10.5 Years
Corn Grower Cooperative President - 1994-1996
Agricultural Economist – 1970-1975
Republican County Executive Committee (WA, MI and MN)
Michigan native - a Yooper, who always seemed to return to Michigan after sojourns away, like a boomerang. However, now Linda, my wife for over 51 years, and I live near one of our sons and 2 grandchildren since December 2014 and see no likelihood of moving in our future.

Energetic

Rode my bicycle across the country, from south of Los Angeles to Savanah, Georgia in 2016. Across America by Bicycle in 27 days Spring, 2016:

Did a 19-day trek in Nepal to the Base Camp of Mt. Everest in 2017.
Walked in and out of the Grand Canyon  in one day in 2018.
Cllimbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and did a 10 day biking safari through the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area in 2019.
Did "long Friday rides" with my friend Gary in 2020 and 2021 riding our bikes from 60 to 87 miles each time.