Although Bemidji was a great stepping stone, I felt that there may be more opportunity to be had for us in the Duluth area. In order to entice my wife into considering such a move, I convinced her to go on another road trip with me to see the North Shore, which - for reasons not entirely clear to me now - we decided to do in February. We took some icy cold pictures along the lake shore and even though there was not a shred of green to be seen, I felt that I could see the promise of what a gorgeous place the North Shore would be come spring. Thereafter, we returned several more times, and in the end we agreed that this could be a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Fortunately, at the start of 2026, I saw that the position of Executive Director of the Cook County/Grand Marais Joint Economic Development Authority was open and it was well aligned with my work and education experience. Ultimately, I was selected for the position and so my wife, expected first child, two dogs, and myself have begun the process of moving up here towards the North Shore and Cook County where we hope we'll need not move again for a very long time. 

Every morning after parking my car, I walk to the Grand Marais Harbor before going in to work. I walk from the EDA offices around and out to the lighthouse. It's a pleasant, crisp experience each time and the vantage from out there by the lighthouse, looking down the shore towards Sawtooth Mountains and at the town of Grand Marais with its colorful charm, I find my soul at peace and that for a moment I can connect to the spirit of this place and the people who have decided to opt in and call it home. No one ended up here, seemingly at the end of the world, by accident. They were drawn here by these mountains, trees, communities, and people. It gives me a wondrous sense of pride to have been invited to be among them. 

To achieve that goal, my primary goal alongside upholding our pre-existing commitments as an EDA has been to get to know the people and businesses in Cook County. In the two and a half months I have been in my role, I feel that I have begun to do exactly that. Ultimately, I know that with that understanding achieved, I will be able to contribute to new initiatives which complement and harmonize with all the toil and striving which has been done here. In brief, my highest priority has been to ensure that I understand this place and its people deeply.