Dustin (Pam-Mbwit-M’ko) is a proud member of the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Nation of Mayetta, Kansas. He earned a bachelor’s degree in geography from St. Cloud State University and holds a master’s degree in organizational development from The College of St. Scholastica. Dustin’s work in Indian Country and rural Minnesota have allowed him to build …
Guy Clairmont serves the Grand Rapids area in a variety of capacities, including as an engaged entrepreneur, a nonprofit leader and youth mentor. He returned home to Grand Rapids after teaching high school business classes in the Twin Cities and established Guy Clairmont Financial in 2002. He holds a bachelor of science in business education from …
A resident of Bigfork, Minn., Dr. Heidi Korstad serves the Itasca County area as a member of the medical staff of Bigfork Valley Hospital, medical director of the Bigfork Ambulance Association and as a physician in the Scenic Rivers Clinic. Heidi has worked as a volunteer in countries around the world, including Liberia, Guyana and …
I am a lifelong resident of the Deer River area. As a teenager, I was sure I wanted to get out of my small town and live someplace where nobody knew me. Looking back, I am glad I never left. I appreciate that my childhood was spent with a community who knew me well and …
I grew up in Swatara, in a home where three generations of my family were raised. During my teenage years, my family moved to Hill City. I truly appreciate that I was able to grow up in the area where my family has resided for so many years. This has allowed me to develop a …
I was a “country kid” growing up. My mom was raised on a farm, and wanted her family to know the joys of living in a rural place. My folks bought an old farmstead, and while my dad, a plant pathologist and agronomist, worked with crops and farmers up and down the Red River Valley …
Jim Hoolihan is the president of Industrial Lubricant and Can-Jer, Grand Rapids, Minn-based companies providing industrial supplies and services to the logging, railroad, taconite and coal-mining industries. The Hoolihan family has owned the businesses for more than 65 years. A native of Grand Rapids, businessman and civic leader, Jim was Grand Rapids’ three-term mayor from …
As a member of the Foundation’s IS team, John handles the installation, configuration, development, administration, monitoring, and maintenance of the Foundation’s data systems. He is also is responsible for the access and integrity of data contained in those systems. John earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from St. Cloud State University. He lives in Hill …
I was born and raised, and now live in, Grand Rapids, so I have a deep-rooted appreciation for the challenges and opportunities life presents in rural Minnesota. Among those challenges is knowing about, and how to use, technology effectively. My commitment to leveraging technology for rural people and their work led me to the University …
One of my favorite parts about rural is the love for the community and the joy people have living here. It is so motivating being able to work and live in a place where people embrace their home and appreciate the resources and beauty that are here. Although I have only lived in the area …