Education:
William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota
Juris Doctor, cum laude, June, 1982
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
B.S. Business Administration, With Distinction, June, 1977
Princeton High School, Princeton, Minnesota
With Honors, May, 1973
Work History:
District Court Judge, State of Minnesota - Appointed September 9, 1997
Elected 1998, 2004, 2010, and 2016. Retired on Oct. 8, 2021. Appointed and assigned to serve statewide as Senior Judge from Mar. 1, 2022, to June 30, 2025.
Partner, Terpstra, Black, Brandell & Hoffman - January 1992 to September 1997
Mille Lacs County Attorney - July 1985 to January 1992
Appointed July, 1985; Elected November 1986 and 1990
Partner, Hoffman & Hoffman - 1982 to July 1985
Law Clerk, Best & Flanagan - January 1981 to July 1982
Law Clerk, Dorsey & Whitney - February 1980 to January 1981
Law Clerk, Hoke, Roehrdanz, Bigelow & Chamberlain - October 1979 to January 1980
Professional Organizations:
President, Minnesota District Judges Association, 2019-2021
Vice President, Minnesota District Judges Association, 2017-2019
Treasurer, Minnesota District Judges Association, 2007-2017
Treasurer, Minnesota District Judges Foundation, 2008-2017
Minnesota Judicial Council, 2012-2016
Chief Judge, Tenth Judicial District, January 25, 2012-June 30, 2016
Assistant Chief Judge, Tenth Judicial District, July 1, 2008-2012
Minnesota District Judges Association, 1997-Present
Board Member, Minnesota District Judges Association, 2006-Present
Treasurer, Minnesota District Judges Association, 2007-Present
Treasurer, Minnesota District Judges Foundation, 2008-Present
Chair, Anoka County District Court Bench, 2006-2008
Chair, Tenth Judicial District Child Support Magistrates, 2000-2010
Chair, Labor/Management Committee, Tenth Judicial District, 2004-Present
Administrative Committee, Tenth Judicial District, 2001-2004 (Chair, 2010-2012)
Judicial Resources Committee, Tenth Judicial District, 2001-2004 and 2010-Present
Minnesota State Bar Association, 1982-Present (Professionalism Committee, 2001-2012)
Anoka County Bar Association, 1997-Present
Mille Lacs County Bar Association, 1982-1997
18th District Bar Association, 1992-Present
Washington County Bar Association 2012-Present
Minnesota County Attorneys Association, 1985-1992
Director, 1989-1992
Legislative Committee, 1988-1992
Education Committee, 1990-1992
National District Attorneys Association, 1989-1992
Central Minnesota Volunteer Attorney Program, 1982-1985 and 1992-1997
Mille Lacs County Peace Officers Association, 1987-1992
Civic and Volunteer Organizations:
City of Princeton
City Council Member, Elected November 1994- September 1997
Economic Development Agency, January, 1995- September 1997
Planning Commission, February 1994 - December 1994
Airport Commission, 1986-88, Chair 1988
Elk River Chamber of Commerce, 1992 - 1997
People's Bank of Commerce, Cambridge, Mn.
Director, 1985 - 1997
Audit Committee, 1993 - 1997
Princeton Public Schools
Multicultural and Gender Fair Curriculum Committee, 1992 - 1997
School Facilities Task Force, Co-Chair, North Elementary, 1990
Trinity Episcopal Church, Elk River
Vestry Member, 1988-1991; 2004-Present
Senior Warden, 1990 and 1991
Director and Secretary, Rum River Golf Club Board, 1985 - 1991
Ducks Unlimited, Princeton Chapter, Local Committee, 1985-1989