Philanthropists can choose however they want to invest their money. What is it about southern Minnesota that made you want to invest in its future?
I grew up in Rochester and moved to Harmony in 1979 when I decided to buy the Harmony House Restaurant. Being successful there for 16 years afforded me the opportunity to become a Financial Advisor and help others achieve financial success. I feel blessed to have been born in SE MN and even more so the USA. Now I feel both the want and the obligation to continue being a positive force where I live.
Why did you get involved with SMIF in the first place, and what has your involvement been? In other words, why is this organization important to you?
Harmony had a (non 501c3) Trust For a Better Harmony that had been set up for the Harmony to Preston Bike Trail. That had appx $12,000 but was inactive and without an EIN. The bank came to me as the Mayor of Harmony and asked what we should do with this money. I was aware of Preston’s PACF through SMIF and reached out to them. SMIF started the process with a group of volunteers for creating the Harmony Area Community Foundation. After a couple months with SMIF our HACF Treasurer resigned and President Vicky Tribon asked me to take over as Treasurer.
Do you have a personal connection to our mission? Can you tell me about it?
SMIFs mission fits me but its more about what SMIF does for Harmony and other smaller cities in our area of MN.
What type of legacy would you like to leave? In other words, how would you like to be remembered?
As someone who was successful, shared his success with others, and realized those “others” were both needed and partly responsible for my success. Few can do it alone.
What can you tell others about giving to SMIF? And giving in general?
“Be good, do good.” My mother’s way of saying Good bye.
