5 minute read
Your leadership matters.
Special recognition to our own:
Paul Tonkin, MD
at
Health-Duluth Clinic
From Page 3 thoughIwasnotborninDuluth,Iconsidermyselfa fourth-generationDuluthian.Myparents,grandparentsandgreat-grandparentsalllivedandworkedin Duluth.Myparents,TomandLauraTonkin,moved fromDuluthtotheTwinCitiesduringtheVietnam drafteraasmyfatherhadreceivedanexemptionfrom thedrafttoteachhighschoolinurbanMinneapolis. WemovedtoEdenPrairiein1977whenthepopulationwasapproximately8,000.IattendedEdenPrairie HighSchoolandplayedvarsityhockeyforcoachLee Smith.
IspentthesummersofmyyouthinDuluthfishingfor brooktrout,mountainbikingandattendinghockey camps.ItwasalwaysmydreamtoreturntoDuluth toworkandraisemyfamily.IreturnedtoDuluthin 2000tofindwork,spendtimewithmyaginggrandparentsandtoapplytotheUniversityofMinnesota DuluthSchoolofMedicine.WhenIarrived,Ihadno job,nomoneyandnolocalfriends.AllIhadwasa rustedPontiacGrandAmandapoorlybehaved,but veryloveable,blackLabrador-mixdognamedDow Overthenexttwoyears,Iworkedseveralshort-term jobs(includingastintaspizzachefatSammy’s),met mywifeandstartedmedicalschool.I’mconvinced IwasacceptedtomedicalschoolbecauseIbasically refusedtoleavethecampus.Iwasthegoalieforthe medicalschoolhockeyteamlongbeforeIwaseveracceptedasamedicalstudent.Isimplylovethatmedical schoolandallthefacultyandstaffthatcontinueto makeitatopmedicalschoolinthecountry. Howdoyouspendyourfreetime?Fishthelocal troutstreamsinDuluthandnorthernWisconsin. I’mveryfortunatetohavemanypatientswhoarein thetwilightoftheirlivesandarewillingtotradesome oftheirsecretfishingholesforredcarpetmedicalcare (Iamonlypartiallykidding).Ilovespendingtimeon localwaters,especiallytheoneshiddenwithinthecity limitsofDuluth.
Mywife,Emily,andIarebecomingseriousgardeners, andweenjoyworkingourLakeSuperiorplotofland. Wehaveexcellentsunexposure,andouryardisturningintoanediblelandscape. Ourgoalistoincrease oursustainabilityeveryyear.
Ofcourse,spendingtimewithmykidsisatoppriority.WeliketobiketheLakewalkandstopatAmity Coffeewheneverpossible.Ialsobroughtmydaughter KendallonherfirstBoundaryWatersCanoeArea WildernesscanoetripthisAugust.
Influentialpersoninyourlife:Dr.BrantBarrhas beenthemostinfluentialpersoninmyprofessional life.WemetwhenIpursuedanontraditionalmedical curriculumduringmythirdyearofmedicalschool calledtheRuralPhysiciansAssociateProgram.I spentthatyearinFaribault,Minn.,whereheworked asanobstetrician/gynecologist.Hequicklybecame amentorandfriend.Heisnowsemiretiredfrom clinicalmedicineandworksasaphysiciancoach,and continuestoaskmethecriticalquestionsaboutmy lifeandmyprofessionalpursuits.
Biggestaccomplishment:MybiggestpersonalaccomplishmentcameinFebruary.Thegreatpeople ofHanabiSushichosemy“TonkinRoll”creationas theirfeaturedspecialtysushirollofthemonth.The “TonkinRoll”featuresfriedsoft-shellcrab,cream cheese,avocadoandistoppedwithspicymayoand bacon.Boom!
Inoneword:savory.
Intwowords:lifechanger. Ihaveonlyoneremaininggoalformylife:tomake the“TonkinRoll”thefeaturedpremiumspecialtyroll atHanabiSushiandtogetitformallyaddedtotheir menu.
SomefriendsandIhaveofferedtomakeadonation toCHUMforevery“TonkinRoll”thatissoldifthis weretohappen.
Comeon,Hanabi!
Threepeople–deadoralive–you’dliketohave dinnerwith:JeffTweedy,ShjonPodeinandMichelle Obama.
TweedyistheleadsingerofthebandWilco.I’dwant tohearwhathehastosayabouttheevolutionofhis bandoverits22yearsandwhatheandhisbandmateshavedonetokeepthebandtogether.I’malso curiousonhisinsightspertainingtoworkingwithin themusicindustryandspecificallywithintheeraof digitalstreamingmusic.IloveWilcoandtheband heformedwithhissonSpencercalledTweedy.Ifyou haven’t,checkthemout.
PodeinisthehighschoolhockeycoachatSt.Louis Park(Minn.)HighSchool,butbetterknownforbeing agreathockeyplayeratUMDandforalongcareer intheNationalHockeyLeague.HewontheStanley CupwhenhewaswiththeColoradoAvalanche, wontheKingClancyMemorialTrophyin2001and wasrecognizedforbestexemplifyingthequalitiesof leadershiponandofftheiceandformakingsubstantialhumanitariancontributionstohiscommunity.I knewPodeinasacounselorfrommysummerhockey camps.Hewasagenuinelyniceperson,andhiswork ethicwassomethingthathasstuckwithmeallthese years.
Obamaisanamazingwoman.I’dlovetohearhow shekeptnormalcywithintheWhiteHousewhileher daughtersweregrowingup,aswellasherideasabout theimportanceofnutritionforournation’schildren andhowwemightdobetterasanationinproviding high-qualityfoodforourpublicschools.Iwouldlove topitchhertheideaofanediblelandscapeatevery publicschool.Whyaren’tthereappletreesatbusstops andnearplaygrounds?
What do youactually do? In addition to doing hair,owningmyown businesshas givenme thefreedom to be an artist andanactivist.
I’ve cultivated aclientele that values my creativity andpassionfor social justice.Ibelieve hair is asensory organthat contains within it our grief andstrength, and am trulyhonored that people allow me to take care of them throughall of life's upsand downs.
Ienjoy usingmysalon space to invite community memberstopartake in localart,activism, writing, classesand music.
Yearsinyourjob: 20.
Education: Attended
PerpichCenterfor Arts
EducationinGolden Valley,Minn., and ModelCollegeofHair
DesigninSt. Cloud, Minn. I’ve hadadvancedtrainingatJon
EnglishSalon in Minneapolis andparticipate in industry specific ongoingadvancededucation throughout Minnesota.
Family: Husband, Allen Killian-Moore;daughter, Gala Wright,and hersweetheart, Marc Hill;mother, Cathy Wright;and father,Tony Katzmarek.
Community involvement: During my 16 yearsinbusinessin
Duluth, I’ve volunteered at Loaves &Fishes,Program forAid to Victims of Sexual Assault, Duluth Superior Pride,Lifehouse, DuluthCommunity Garden Program, Save OurKids, Jefferson People's House, Black LivesMatter, Standing Rock,supportedprogressive localpolitical candidates, Duluth ArtInstitute, Together ForYouth,Progressive Immigration Policy Reform,Queer andAllied StudentUnionatthe
UniversityofMinnesota
Duluthand Many RiversMontessori, among others.
Native of the area? Yes
What keepsyou here? Iboomerangedback here when Iwas pregnant with my daughter in 2000. Sincethen, I'veparticipatedin there-invigoration of ourartsand cultural community.Watching athrivingcityemerge from ruinshas been an inspiration,keeping me interested in contributingtothe development of adiverse andbeautiful city.Duluthisa place whereanindividualcan make adifference simply by getting involved.
Favoriteplace in the Northland: Park Point. Howdoyou spend your free time? Ienjoy hospitalityagreat deal andlovecookingand sharing meals with travelers, friends, family andothers. I love spendingtimewith animals, includingthe wildbeastsand birds in my yard,and I’man artist andavidpainter as well.Ilovespending time with my daughter, who’salsoabudding hairstylist, andI enjoy exploring thehidden stairwaysthroughout ObservationHillon frequentwalkswithmy husband. Ienjoy workingbehindthe scenes to create or support political policies that ensure safety andequal rights forall people,particularlythose who'vebeen marginalizedinour culture. Howcan the Northland retain youngerpeople? Have affordablehousing foreveryoneacrossthe socioeconomic spectrum, especiallyrecent collegegraduatessaddled with student loan debt.I supporta$15/ hour minimum wage andearnedsickand safe time.I personallyknow alot of youngpeople wholeave Duluthbecausetheycannotafford to stay here duetolow wage jobs andhighrent. Duluthneedsto actively recruitand support culturaldiversity to enhancethe experience of living in theNorthland. Influential person in your life: I’ve been heavilyinfluencedby everyone Icomeinto contactwith. Iemulate thebestIsee in people andactivelyworkto avoidembodying qualities Ifind problematic.
Icannotwinnow my list down to asingleperson since my influences are fartoo numerous to count.
Biggestaccomplishment? My biggest accomplishment is continuingthe work started by my maternal grandmother —and thesteps takenbymymother
—tohealthe historical trauma of alcoholism andabuse in ourfamily. Itakegreat pridein beinga mother,and nowthatmydaughteris
16 Ican seethe fruits of my labor. Itry my best to modelhonesty,self responsibility,unconditional love,the abolition of shameand resiliency so my daughter has all thetools she needsto continue this work also. Three people –dead or alive– you’dlike to have dinner with: NikolaiTesla.He fascinates me with his generosity andinnovative soul
AgnesVarda.She has made some of my favoritefilms.
My Great-grandmother Modesta.I miss her dearly.
Five-yeargoals: My goal is to live alife whereIdon't need to take avacationfrom my life.
Wheredoyou seethe Twin Portsinthe next fiveto10years? Ihope to seeahighspeed trainupand running betweenDuluthand the Twin Cities. Ibelieve this will have agreat culturaland economic impact.Ialsobelieve we canend homelessness in theNorthland.First Nationsleadersand artistsare ushering in abeautiful newera we canbearwitness to and support. I'd also like to seeDuluthcontinueto preserve ourhistoric buildings andretainthe aesthetic soul of our community. What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
“Fun Home,” agraphic novelbyAlisonBechdeland it's companion volume,“AreYou My Mother?”Thesevolumes offer an honest reflection of thelove andcomplexity within adysfunctionalfamily. They're writtenbya queerfeminist author whoisamasterarchivist of herown history. Social media: adelineofduluthonInstagram andadeline.wrighton Facebook.
What do you actually do? Oversee the strategy, planning, management and leadership of both corporations.
Years in your job: Six. Education: Attended the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Family: Wife, Sarah Steinbach; and children, Haiden, Quinlynn, Ethan and Eowyn. Community involvement: Served on eight different non-profit boards over the last 10 years. I’m currently the incoming chairman of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors.
Native of the area?
Yes, born and raised in Duluth.
What keeps you here?
Opportunities, great tourism/hospitality industry and the great Lake Superior. Favorite place in the Northland: Lake Superior.
How do you spend your free time? I spend time with my wife and kids doing the activities
JUSTIN STEINBACH, 34
they’re involved in. How can the Northland retain younger people? Continue to support small businesses and entrepreneurs which will create job growth in the area. This is ultimately what will recruit and retain young professionals
Influential person in your life: My wife Sarah. She has embarked on these crazy adventures professionally with me as my equal business partner in every venture. She grounds me, motivates me and supports me. My success wouldn’t have happened personally or professionally without her.
What is your biggest accomplishment? Being a good dad.
Three people – dead or alive – you’d like to have dinner with:
Abraham Lincoln as I have read a ton of literature on his background and history. He truly was one of the greatest leaders in our country during the most tumultuous time for our nation.
Tim Ferriss as I am an avid follower of his podcast and novels Steve Jobs as he was responsible for the most radical innovation of our generation that changed just about every other operating industry around it. Five-year goals: New and exciting growth with Vista Fleet through new tours, new vessels and exciting adventure opportunities and new store locations in multiple surrounding states for Lake It. Lakeit.com has had great success and we’ve had a ton of input from various communities hoping to have a brick-and-mortar store. Also, I spent 15 years working in and running hotels prior to purchasing Vista Fleet, so I am always looking to find exciting hotel properties that could use a fresh new perspective.
Where do you see the Twin Ports in the next five to 10 years?
The Twin Ports has two emerging issues that could limit it from growing. Currently, job growth and housing issues limit the Northland from continuing to add services and amenities that will continue to attract and grow Duluth's population. If Duluth can find solutions to these hard issues I see the Twin Ports continuing to grow in its national and global appeal to tourists and potential residents. There are exciting things happening — such as the updating and development in Downtown and Canal Park and the emergence of the Lincoln Park Craft District. What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
“Tool of Titans” by Tim Ferriss. Through his podcast and books, Ferriss details people in all industries who've had national or global success. His detailed profiles on these folks show it’s the practices that people perform regularly and consistently throughout their career that lead them to success. There are no shortcuts, but simply commitments to be in practices that enable them to be successful in their particular domain of activity. Additionally, Ferriss’ book provides hundreds of other recommended books for those looking to continue to learn.
Social media: vistafleet. com and lakeit.com or our respective business Facebook pages.
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ErinAldridge
LisaAugustine
