ABOUT BRAD

I grew up in Wisconsin. Following high school I attended Calvin College in Michigan and then moved to Minnesota in 1978 to attend graduate school at the University of Minnesota Graduate School of Business (now the Carlson School). After earning an MBA I started my business career at General Mills. Working at General Mills was an excellent opportunity in many ways. It was a great place to start a business career, and it is also where I met my wife, Karen. We have been married for 38 years. In 1982 while working at General Mills we purchased our first home in Minnetonka.

Karen and I have four kids. Our first two children, Jennifer and Amy, are twins who were born prematurely (at 29 weeks) and who both have Down’s Syndrome. Their birth was the defining moment of both Karen’s and my lives. It was a paradox of extreme emotion. Their birth was traumatic and life-changing. At the same time Jennifer and Amy have blessed us beyond measure. We love our daughters and we have been blessed by their presence in our lives. Having physically and intellectually challenged children has not been easy, but it has made us better, more compassionate and more understanding human beings.

Our two boys, Matt and Andy, arrived two and four years later, respectively. The boys completed our family and we are extremely proud of all of our kids. Karen and I worked hard to make the upbringing of our children as “normal” as possible. While some may disagree, we feel that we are a pretty normal family, although normal is a word that defies accurate definition. While we are a good team, Karen is the difference maker. Her ability to keep the “train on the tracks” and create order out of chaos, is the skill that makes our family succeed. I am eternally grateful to her.

I joined the Minnetonka City Council in 2003 when I was appointed to fill the vacant Ward 3 Councilmember position. I was elected to that position later in 2003 and was re-elected three times before being elected mayor in 2017. I find serving on the Minnetonka City Council to be rewarding and intellectually stimulating.

Minnetonka is an outstanding city. I love the city and its residents, and I am committed to doing the absolute best possible job. This is a people business, and the most important skill needed to do it well is the ability to listen. I do not promise to agree with all perspectives, but I am committed to helping everyone have a voice.

Following a 40+ year business career I retired in 2018. Retirement provides the opportunity to give the Minnetonka mayor role the time and attention it deserves. I am indeed fortunate.