Scouting has been part of my life since I joined Cub Scouts in second grade. My core values were formed by Scouting. I am a second-generation Eagle Scout, Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow, and Wood Badge trained. I am active as an assistant Scoutmaster in my son’s Scout troop, and in the past, served as a den leader and Webelos den leader for our children’s Cub Scout pack.
My personal interests include:
- Camping and hiking
- Boating
- Running and fitness activities
- Snow sports
- Volunteering with son’s Scout troop
- Home remodeling projects
Retired Major with 20 years of service with the Minnesota Army National Guard, including four state deployments and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). Katie and I have been married for 23 years. Our family consists of twin adult sons, Cole and Jack (21) who are attending courses at a community college in the Twin Cities and Ethan (18) who just graduated high school and will be attending the University of Kansas this fall. All three are Eagle Scouts. Katie is currently a Global Learning and Development leader for Cargill, Inc.
On vacation at Mt. Rainier National Park 
On vacation at Olympic National Park 
Katie and John 
Ethan and John at Philmont 
John with Afghan Command Sergeant Major 
John with Afghan Colonel 
Three generations of Eagle Scouts at Ethan’s Eagle Court of Honor
(Cole, Ethan, Jack, John’s Uncle Rolf, John and nephew Will)
Selected Career Achievements
- Strategic Planning – Intimately involved in the development and execution of three council strategic plans as well as Base Camp and properties strategic plans.
- Proven Performance – Career to date have received above average performance evaluation in all annual performance reviews. As a team leader, led majority of staff to achieve same recognition. Annual evaluations since 2014 have been Exceeds.
- Membership Management – As the council membership advisor, gave leadership to over 400 staff and volunteers in recruitment campaigns for all programs.
- Webelos to Scout transition increased by 7% from 2006 to 2012. Venturing membership grew 34% during the same period. Total new units increased by 5% two of the last three years in role.
- Created strong partnerships with organizations to seek ways for Scouting to be more effective; Girl Scouts of MN and WI River Valleys Council fall membership campaign partnership, OfficeMax Store partnership to print and pick membership materials for unit recruitment needs that provides a convenient service to volunteers to pick up their order from one of 30 store locations across the council, among others.
- Fundraising – Successfully led all aspects of district and council teams with annual goals of over $2.6 million. Led annual popcorn sales campaign to over $700,00 in net sales revenue. Led a board level division of ten FOS teams to goal three years in a row achieving an increase of over $75,000 each year.
- Camp Operations – Responsibility for over $5 million in camp operations that has produced a net return to the Northern Star Council operating budget of anywhere from $1M to over $1.1M and additional surpluses in the range of $84K to $200K in the last five years.
- Grew percent of Cub Scout youth camping from 24-27% and Scouts BSA youth camping from 72-77% over the last five years.
- All 5 camps accredited in each year of leadership.
- Property Management – Implemented over $20 million in capital projects at eight council properties. Projects included camp improvements and new facilities, building a new Cub Camp multi-purpose building (dining, conference space and sleeping quarters) and Leadership Center (service center).
- Project Management – Leadership of a core four person cross-functional team that planned, designed and created a new website. Collaborated with every department and major council volunteer committee to ensure buy-in and completeness of content ready for deployment of new database-driven website. Project management and leadership of the planning, design, construction and budget management of a $17 million dollar Leadership Center (Scout headquarters) completed in July of 2018. Coordination of staff and volunteer feedback for design features. Planning and design work with architect team as well as construction team. Budget management and reconciliation. Leadership to immediate team and other departments in projects related to construction, FF&E and grand opening of new building.
- Staff Leadership – Strong staff leadership skills have been developed as a leader to professional and support staff. I have developed a keen understanding of staff motivation and development through years of staff leadership experience. Leader to as many as 21 full-time, 30 part-time and over 500 seasonal staff.