ARDC is governed by a Commission and Board, which respectively oversee and handle the business affairs of ARDC. Current Commission members are listed below, with (*) denoting members of the Board.

MEMBERS

COUNTY BOARD REPRESENTATIVES (8)

  • Aitkin County: Michael Kearney*,
  • Carlton County: Susan Zmyslony*
  • Cook County: Ginny Storlie*, Chair
  • Itasca County: John Johnson*, Vice Chair
  • Koochiching County: Destry Hell*
  • Lake County: Rick Goutermont*
  • St. Louis County: Annie Harala*
  • St. Louis County: Ashley Grimm

REPRESENTATIVES OF CITIES, TOWNSHIPS, TRIBAL NATIONS, AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS (22)

  • Aitkin Cities <10K: Mark Jeffers (Aitkin)
  • Aitkin Townships: Grant Sherman
  • Carlton Cities >10K: Roger Maki (Cloquet)
  • Carlton Cities <10K: David Lucas (Kettle River)
  • Carlton Townships: Clayton Kauppila (Carlton)
  • Cook Cities <10K: Michael Garry (Grand Marais)
  • Cook/Lake Townships: Vacant
  • Itasca Cities >10K: Rick Blake (Grand Rapids)
  • Itasca Cities <10K: Tony Yunk (Bovey)
  • Itasca Townships: Mike Baltus (Hill City)
  • Koochiching Cities <10K: Brian Briggs* (International Falls)
  • Koochiching Townships: Kevin Adee (Koochiching County)
  • Lake Cities <10K: Richard DeRosier (Silver Bay)
  • St. Louis Cities >10K: Lynn Nephew (Duluth)
  • St. Louis Cities >10K: Chris Whitney (Hibbing)
  • St. Louis Cities <10K: Annie Bachschneider (Virginia)
  • St. Louis County Townships: Vacant
  • Bois Forte Tribal Council: Perry Drift
  • Fond du Lac Tribal Council: Jason Hollinday*, Secretary
  • Grand Portage Tribal Council: Robert Deschampe
  • School Districts: Kim McLaughlin (ISD #701, Hibbing)
  • School Districts: Walter Hautala (ISD #2711, Mesabi East)

AT-LARGE (CITIZEN) MEMBERS (8)

  • Dirk Davis (Morcom Township)
  • Pam Franklin (Duluth)
  • Mike Hoops (Silver Creek)
  • Joel Hoppe* (McGregor)
  • Pat Medure* (Grand Rapids)
  • Paul Nevanen* (International Falls)
  • Allen Rasmussen* (International Falls), Treasurer
  • Stephen Sydow (Duluth)

ADVISORY MEMBERS (2)

  • AAAA Advisory Board: Steve Lyons*
  • DSMIC Policy Board: Vacant

Regular Meetings

The Commission meets the third Thursday of January, April, July, and October, in various locations and the Board meets the third Thursday of February, March, May, June, August, September, November, and December as needed, typically at ARDC in Duluth. Meeting locations are subject to change, to include virtual options, based on emergency situations. Meeting notes are posted on the meeting month date once approved by the respective group (click on the meeting month date to review).

If you have any questions about the Commission or Board, please contact the Board Coordinator at 218-529-7501, ralexandra@ardc.org, or if you would like to attend a meeting, contact the Board Coordinator for exact meeting location(s) at least one week prior to the meeting.

2026

  • January 2026 Commission (Expected April 2026)
  • February 2026 Board
  • March 2026 Board (Expected May 2026)
  • April 2026 Commission (Expected July 2026)
  • May 2026 Board (Expected June 2026)
  • June 2026 Board (Expected August 2026)
  • July 2026 Commission (Expected October 2026)
  • August 2026 Board (Expected September 2026)
  • September 2026 Board (Expected November 2026)
  • October 2026 Commission (Expected January 2027)
  • November 2026 Board (Expected December 2026)
  • December 2026 Board (Expected February 2027)

 

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

Special Meetings

Additional Committees – Open Public Meetings

The Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC) Board and Commission have the authority to create special committees, or subcommittees of the Board and Commission, to address various priorities or topics. These committees may include the Executive Committee, a select number of County Commissioners, and/or may include additional elected or appointed officials and members. 

Should a meeting be held when a group or Committee can exercise decision-making powers, it will be considered an Open Public Meeting.  The subject of Open Public Meetings, meeting dates, times, locations and possible virtual options will be posted here. Meetings may end early based on necessary business subject results. For questions, please contact ARDC’s Board & Commission Coordinator at ralexandra@ardc.org.

Open Public Meetings:

ARDC Executive Committee: Selection of Final Candidates to interview for the Executive Director and Finance Director positions. When: Friday, April 17, 2026 (9:00am-10am) located at Arrowhead Regional Development Commission, 221 West 1st Street, Duluth, MN  55802, Northshore Conference Room (second floor)