ARDC SEEKS NEW AT-LARGE COMMISSION MEMBERS

WHO IS ARDC: The Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC) serves people of the Arrowhead Region by providing local units of government and citizen groups a means to work cooperatively in identifying needs, solving problems and fostering local leadership in the seven NE counties of MN. 

SEEKING: Citizens to fill At-Large position on the Commission for three-year terms.  Minorities and individuals with a strong background or interest in areas such as transportation, human services, economic development and community planning encouraged to apply. Applicants must reside in Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake or St. Louis County.

COMMITMENT: The Commission meets four times a year, from 10:00 a.m. – noon, the third Thursday of the month in January, April, July and October at various locations in the Region (typically Duluth or Hermantown). 

ABOUT POSITION:  Positions are unpaid, volunteer positions; members are reimbursed for their mileage to and from meetings. 

DEADLINE: December 13, 2024. (Elections take place at the January 16, 2025 Annual Meeting in Hermantown. Positions are subject to vote by the Commission.)

HOW TO APPLY: Click here for a fillable application or contact Krista Mattila, ARDC Board Coordinator, 221 W. 1st St., Duluth, MN  55802 or call 218-529-7543 or e-mail kmattila@ardc.org. EEO/AA/M/F/Vet/Disability/LGBTIQ+/Age-Friendly Employer.

Members

ARDC is governed by a Commission and Board, which respectively oversee and handle the business affairs of ARDC. Current Commission members are listed below, with (*) denoting members of the Board.

COUNTY BOARD REPRESENTATIVES (8)

  • Aitkin County: Michael Kearney*,
  • Carlton County: Susan Zmyslony*
  • Cook County: Ginny Storlie*, Chair
  • Itasca County: John Johnson*, Vice Chair
  • Koochiching County: Destry Hell*
  • Lake County: Jeremy Hurd*
  • St. Louis County: Annie Harala*
  • St. Louis County: Ashley Grimm

REPRESENTATIVES OF CITIES, TOWNSHIPS, TRIBAL NATIONS, AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS (22)

  • Aitkin Cities <10K: Vacant
  • Aitkin Townships: Vacant
  • Carlton Cities >10K: Roger Maki (Cloquet)
  • Carlton Cities <10K: David Lucas (Kettle River)
  • Carlton Townships: Clayton Kauppila (Carlton)
  • Cook Cities <10K: Michael Garry (Grand Marais)
  • Cook/Lake Townships: Vacant
  • Itasca Cities >10K: Dale Adams (Grand Rapids)
  • Itasca Cities <10K: Calvin Saari (Nashwauk)
  • Itasca Townships: Mike Baltus (Hill City)
  • Koochiching Cities <10K: Brian Briggs (International Falls)
  • Koochiching Townships: Kevin Adee (Koochiching County)
  • Lake Cities <10K: Vacant
  • St. Louis Cities >10K: Vacant (Hibbing)
  • St. Louis Cities >10K: Terese Tomanek (Duluth)
  • St. Louis Cities <10K: Laurence Cuffee, Jr. (Virginia)
  • St. Louis County Townships: Cal Warwas (Eveleth)
  • Bois Forte Tribal Council: Vacant
  • Fond du Lac Tribal Council: Jason Hollinday*, Secretary
  • Grand Portage Tribal Council: Robert Deschampe
  • School Districts: Pat Medure (ISD #318, Grand Rapids)
  • School Districts: Walter Hautala (ISD #2711, Mesabi East)

AT-LARGE (CITIZEN) MEMBERS (8)

  • Dirk Davis (Morcom Township)
  • Sarah Carling (Bovey)
  • Pam Franklin (Duluth)
  • Mike Hoops (Silver Creek)
  • Joel Hoppe* (McGregor)
  • Paul Nevanen* (International Falls)
  • Allen Rasmussen* (International Falls), Treasurer
  • Stephen Sydow (Duluth)

ADVISORY MEMBERS (2)

  • AAAA Advisory Board: Steve Lyons*
  • DSMIC Policy Board: Vacant

Meetings

The Commission meets the third Thursday of January, April, July, and October, in various locations and the Board meets the third Thursday of February, March, May, *June, August, September, November, and December as needed, typically at ARDC in Duluth. Meeting locations are subject to change, to include virtual options, based on emergency situations. Meeting notes are posted below once approved by the respective group. *The Board Meeting in June 2025 will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

If you have any questions about the Commission or Board, please contact the Board Coordinator at 218-529-7543, or if you would like to attend a meeting, contact the Board Coordinator for exact meeting location(s) at least one week prior to the meeting.

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