By: Todd Ford, Public Information Coordinator

With the start of a new year, Cook County MN is thrilled to welcome several new employees to our staff!

Please thank and welcome them as they join our diverse, talented, and dedicated group of professionals who serve the community of Cook County, MN.

Max Tostenson, CCMN SWCD Conservation Technician: Max previously worked for Traverse Soil and Water Conservation District in Wheaton, MN as a conservation technician working with erosion and engineering.

He attended school at Vermilion Community College for associate degrees in Watershed Science and Fisheries and Wildlife Management. He then attended BSU for a degree in Environmental Studies with a minor in GIS.

In his new role, Max will implement erosion control practices on streams, lakes, and waterways. He will also conduct water sampling in various parts of the county for water quality data in addition to other tasks.

While attending school in Ely Max grew a love for the BWCA and other inland lakes that offered great fishing.

He also loved the abundant grouse hunting areas in the arrowhead region. Many of his friends work in the general area as well.

Max’s hobbies and interests are winter camping, ice fishing, bow hunting, canoe trips, sightseeing, and history.

Long term, Max would like to get into a long-term managerial position wherever life lands him. He has held internships and other jobs for SWCDs and that is what he has grown to like.

Max looks forward to meeting our community and encourages them to reach out and chat.

Ann Paulson, Financial Administrator, CCMN SWCD: In her new role Ann will prepare the financials and maintain the bookkeeping for all SWCD Board activities. She will also assist with grant writing, public education, and outreach.

Prior to Cook County, Ann was in the cycling industry for 20 years, owning three bicycle shops. She was very involved in the promotion of cycling and other outdoor activities in Southern MN. She is a graduate of Owatonna High School and Hamline University.

What attracted her to this area? Cook County summers were new to Ann’s family as they had only visited the area during winter. They are now thrilled to experience all the seasons (including Mud!)  She feels very fortunate to be able to work in an area that merges her academic background and personal interests. Ann’s coworkers are amazing folks; their commitment to this region and their work is admirable. 

Like many of those from Cook County, Ann and her family spend their free time pursuing outdoor activities. They love hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing… all the great things about this area. They have spent the last two summers rehabilitating their property, preparing to build, and meeting all of their great neighbors. Evening bonfires and listening to the singing of the nearby sled dog teams are favorite times.

Will Schmidthuber, Maintenance Worker II CCMN Highway Department: Will grew up on a small farm in Southern MN. After high school, he attended Dakota County AVTI heavy equipment mechanics during which he worked for a blacktop company. He changed jobs and went to a gravel company where he worked on the river as an engineer on a tow boat moving gravel from Cottage Grove to Minneapolis. He started working for Ti-Zack Concrete 22 years ago and was shop foreman for the last 15 years. Will got married at 21 and had two children, Emily and Tyler. He got divorced after 24 years, then seven years later met his current wife, Carol. They have been married for three years. Will has six grandkids and another one on the way. 

Will’s parents took him to Grand Marais when he was nine years old. As soon as he could drive, he started coming back and has been back at least 5 times a year ever since. Four years ago, they bought a house here and Carol moved up 2 years ago. Now he is finally following her. Will is an active son of the American Legion in Le Center, MN, and an active member of Le Sueur County Pioneer Power Association which is an antique farm show. Will is a welder mechanic and he loves to fabricate and tinker.

Please welcome Will’s wife Carol too! She is also a new Maintenance Worker with the Highway Department.

We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome the seasonal Ice Rink staff at the Community Center! Now that the cold weather is finally upon us, this group has their hands full. Ice Makers: Tom Knutson, Kevin McKay, Ryan Murray, Jamie “Jammer” Wick, and Steve “Steamer” Wick. Warming House Attendants: Mary Jillson, Kyla Knapper, Tom Knutson, and Kevin McKay. We appreciate all they do to provide us with an outstanding skating facility!

Even with these new hires, CCMN still has many positions to fill. Please help us spread the word far and wide about the variety of rewarding career opportunities within Cook County government. This is a wonderful place to live and work, and we strive to hire the very best professionals to help us serve this community. 

Please view current openings and apply at: https://secure3.entertimeonline.com/ta/6130510.careers?CareersSearch or call Human Resources at 218. 387.3676.

County Connections is a column on timely topics and service information from your Cook County government. Cook County – Supporting Community Through Quality Public Service.