Professional experience: Currently Division Manager, Governmental Services, Anoka County. Served as Minnesota State Senator from 1983 to 2001 for District 52, also served as a State Representative from 1975 to 1983. Recognized as “Senator of the Year” in 1987 and 1999, and “Legislator of the Year” in 1994, and served as Chair of the Senate Committee on Jobs, Energy and Community Development from 1993 to 2001.

Education: Steve received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. He also attended Hamline University for two years and supports a scholarship that bears his name and is dedicated to the Graduate School of Public Administration and Management at Hamline.

FMR Board member since: 2007

Quote: “The reason I’m interested in being on the board is I want to continually work to find a balance between preserving the river and the quality of the water and lands around it, as it’s mixed in with fishing, boating, recreation and of course commerce from Saint Paul on south.”

Hobbies: Collecting original 17th and 18th century American political items.

Interesting book: The Founding Brothers, by Joseph Ellis.

Favorite Mississippi River location: Downtown Saint Paul

Favorite animal: Polar bear

Conservation/Environmental heroes: “The Legislature during the Perpich years: 1983-1990. Authored and passed several landmark pieces of environmental laws such as the Environmental Trust Fund, Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Program, The Pheasant Stamp Program, The Petro Fund, No Net Loss of Wetlands, and Underground Storage Tank Regulation.”

Last memorable vacation: Visiting the Panama Canal.

Favorite Band: The Young Rascals Read more…