Leadership & Program

During my professional tenure, I have been fortunate to work with many dedicated volunteers and professional staff members.  Many have had a profound impact on my life both personally and professionally.  Lifelong friendships were forged and have helped guide my professional decision making.  Leadership is a continuum to me, I strive to improve my leadership abilities and take personal development seriously.

Personal thoughts on my leadership style…

• Build relationships with community leaders, council, district and unit volunteers at all levels and take a personal interest in the staff related to work and their personal life.
• Build a team atmosphere in the office and council.
• Build and communicate a vision that has “Buy-in” and that individuals are proud of and excited about.
• Understand the council’s weaknesses, strengths and threats.
• Be clear, consistent, transparent and truthful on message.

Leadership Credo

Staff Development

I have always had a signature strength and interest in developing others.  Professionally developing staff was initially instilled early in my reserve military career.  I have focused that skill into my professional Scouting roles with staff and volunteers.  I ensure there are opportunities for those that are high performers and have high potential to expand their capabilities.  I provide feedback as soon as possible if the situation warrants either positive or needs improvement coaching.

Deputy Scout Executive Role

I have been in this position for six years, operating at the level of Scout Executive:

• Participation in Council Key Leader (Key 3) meetings
• Engaged in National Annual Meetings and Top Hands Conferences
• Total budget responsibility of $5 million
• Capital campaign project management, staff leadership as well as $17 million capital budget responsibility
• Council Nominating Committee experience
• Strategic planning at department and council level
• Significant staff leadership experience of large teams and specialty staff
• Friends of Scouting division staff adviser to ten fundraising teams – recruitment, training, kick-off, report meetings and campaign celebration
• Crisis management
• Established an Employee Engagement Committee

Community Involvement

• Rotary Club of St. Paul Member 2007 – present
  • Youth Protection Officer 2010 – present
  • Board member 2016 – 2017
  • Member Retention Committee 2014 – 2016
  • Fellowship committee 2007 – 2018
  • Engaged in club fundraising events and service projects
• Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 72, Woodbury 2009 – present
  • Youth leader training coordinator
  • Patrol Leaders’ Council mentor
  • High adventure trip coordinator (Philmont Trek, Black Hills Base Camp Trek, Apostle Islands Kayaking Trek, BWCAW Canoe Trek, BWCAW Winter Treks (3)
• MN Army National Guard Officer 1989-2009
  • Infantry & Armor branch experience
  • Leader at five out-state MN National Guard Training and Community Centers – engaged business & community leaders at each location
  • Deployed for state active duty four times: Jacob Wetterling search, Red River Valley flooding, MSP International Airport security and Saint Paul Water Utility security
  • Deployed for federal active duty one time: Afghanistan / Operation Enduring Freedom 2005-2006

Career Highlights:

• Pivotal staff positions held in each major function of Scouting – Membership, Program and Finance.
• Intentional development of people with stretch assignments based on their desires as well as where I see their skills and abilities will be needed in the future.
• Coordinated executive coaching for select direct reports and have seen significant positive changes in those staff as a result.  This program has been to develop and increase engagement of top performing staff.
• Facilitated staff development series where staff rotate teaching professional development topics throughout the year. Staff Development Plan
• Foster a culture of mentoring within staff teams.
• Use of modern technology to increase efficiency.

Program

Step into the Leadership Laboratory:

At the heart of Northern Star Scouting’s brand new Leadership Center is a state-of-the-art Leadership Lab – a space for young leaders to learn about the concepts and practice the skills of every day leadership.
I led the team that conceived this concept, found the resources to support it and developed the content with a creative technology firm for this unique ground breaking space. 
The program consists of a range of engaging activities from individual reflection, to small team collaboration and large group discussion. During the day, students will enter the Leadership Portal, where they will be immersed in 360-degrees of video and sound as well as touch technology that drops them in the middle of leadership situations to put the lessons into action. Students receive their own leadership journal to take home at the end of the day. 

Northern Star Council, BSA – Leadership Reimagined Experience from 900lbs of Creative on Vimeo.

Camping:

Highlights include:

• I have a culture of support for program/camping opportunities, this is pivotal for council operations for staff and volunteers in telling Scouting’s story.
• Cub Scout youth camping from 24-27% and Scouts BSA youth camping from 72-77% over the last five years.
• Achieved Cubs and Scouts BSA Camping JTE levels of silver for two years and gold for three years as Deputy SE / Support.
• Increased focus of non-Scout use of camps has led to a week-long Discover Day Camp increase from an initial group of 30 youth a couple years ago to 185 in 2018.
• Instituted a free fall day camp opportunity for new Cub Scouts that engages new families in fun programming in October.
• Innovative new program features at camps:
  • Cub Scouting – bounce pillow, pedal carts, Ozobots (STEM), winter sled chutes
  • Scouts BSA – Five stand shot gun range, aqua rig with rope swing and giant blob, trades week program (Welding, Plumbing, Farm Mechanics Merit Badges)

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