Where were you born and raised?
Minneapolis
Where do you currently reside? Burnsville, Minn.
Age: 58
Five things you love about the Twin Cities:
1. We love the friendly people.
2. The beautiful lakes and rivers
3. The great historic avenues and buildings
4. The festivals and events
5. The many wonderful places to dine
Favorite local hidden treasure:
The Museum of Russian Art in South Minneapolis is a jewel. They have a great collection and frequent traveling exhibits. We enjoy the gift shop as well.
What distinguishes the Twin Cities from other metropolitan areas in terms of our economy?
We have a long list [19] of Fortune 500 companies, but also one of the largest groups of INC 500 honorees, the fastest growing small companies in the country. We are rich in universities and colleges, foundations, think tanks, venture capitalists and angel investors along with people who care deeply about the future. Our diverse economy makes the Twin Cities a vital place to do business.
From your perspective as commissioner, what would you tell somebody considering a move here about the Twin Cities?
I often remind people that Minnesota earned a perfect score on the 2006 Development Report Card for the States, with straight A’s in business vitality, economic performance and development capacity. This is a great place to live, do business and raise a family.
