To the communities of Saint Louis Park, Golden Valley, Plymouth and Medicine Lake:
Today I am excited to announce that my wife Jenny has accepted a position as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Rezidor Hotel Group, a majority-owned strategic partner of Carlson Hotels, headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. This opportunity will take our family to Belgium, where we will be based during the time of our assignment.
Like all families, Jenny and I work hard to balance our work and family responsibilities, and to create a better future for our children. This was a big decision for us. For Jenny, this is an incredible professional opportunity to advance her talent and dedication into a leadership role in a global hotel company with Minnesota roots. For our boys, it is a chance to spend more time with Jenny’s family in Sweden and have great experiences living abroad. And I will continue my current role with Biothera, a Minnesota company with international operations, splitting time between Minnesota and Belgium.
We are enthusiastic to be a part of Minnesota’s increasingly important role in the global economy. But taking this step has led me to the difficult decision to step down from the House of Representatives this summer. For the last nine years you have given me a great honor in letting me represent you in the legislature. I have worked hard to create a more responsible, more inclusive, and more equitable state that leaves nobody behind. Now it is time for another member of our community to represent us in the Minnesota House, and to be a champion for our community and all Minnesota workers, families and kids.
While I am stepping down from the Legislature, I am not stepping away from the work of building a Minnesota that creates opportunity and prosperity for everyone. Our time abroad working for Minnesota companies will provide an even better understanding of how to increase economic vitality and equality for every Minnesotan.
Our family looks forward to the adventures ahead—both overseas and back home in Minnesota.
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