Thank You to Our Outgoing LMC Board of Directors Members!

The work of city officials has never been easy, but new challenges have risen since 2020 and COVID-19’s emergence, making the jobs of our elected and appointed officials especially demanding. For the past three years, city officials have been tasked with providing answers in unprecedented times and maintaining civility as polarization trickles down to the local level.

Despite these added challenges, Craig Clark, D. Love, Jeff Pilon, Clinton Rogers, Rick Schultz, and Matt Stemwedel all allocated time out of their busy schedules to serve on LMC’s Board of Directors.

The League honored these six outgoing board members at its May Board of Directors meeting by thanking them for their service and highlighting the unique qualities each member brought to the board.

Craig Clark, Austin’s city administrator, was appointed to the board in 2020. He was active on the Improving Local Economies Policy Committee and advocated for city zoning authority with the League’s intergovernmental relations team.

“Thinking about our state, Craig has been an important representative for Greater Minnesota on our board,” LMC President Ron Johnson said during the board meeting. “His ability to articulate issues in a way we can all relate to is one of his biggest strengths.”

D. Love, mayor of Centerville, began serving on the board in 2018. He was elected first vice president in 2020 and LMC president in 2021. Love has been instrumental in developing the close relationship between the LMC Board and the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust Board, which he has served on since 2011. He was a strong advocate for the public safety duty disability legislation that passed in May and even testified at the Capitol on the issue.

“Everything that D. does, it’s on his sleeve,” former LMC Executive Director Dave Unmacht said. “Everything you see in that man is who he is. He’s just a wonderful human being.

“Your service to the Trust Board, your service to the League Board, has been outstanding – matched by very few in the history of the League.”

Jeff Pilon, mayor of Nowthen, joined the board in 2020 and served on the Municipal Amicus Board throughout his term. Johnson noted that Pilon only missed one board meeting throughout his term, which is a demonstration of his commitment to service. Johnson also described Pilon as an important voice on the board as it relates to partisan pressures.

“He’s well known for saying, ‘It’s OK if we disagree. We just have to disagree better,’” Johnson said. “The care he takes to listening to folks is very commendable.”

Clinton Rogers, Janesville’s city administrator, began his term on the board in 2021, and like Pilon, only missed one meeting before his term ended in May. Rogers has attended various League events, and Johnson described him as an important “connector” for League members and staff.

“He’s quick to introduce (LMC Executive Director) Luke (Fischer) or Dave to new administrators in the area, and he’s always inviting people in,” Johnson said. “Clinton has a great sense of humor and is always trying to ‘out sock’ Luke and Dave.”

Rick Schultz, mayor of St. Joseph, served as the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities’ representative on the board from 2022-23. Schultz worked with the IGR team on local government aid (LGA) during the legislative session and is known for hosting the most well-attended and raucous engagement visits.

“The spark and comradery Rick brings when he invites folks to join in are infectious,” Johnson said.

Johnson described Schultz as a quiet observer with a keen eye and passion for all things city government.

“We appreciate his passion for the Coalition and the League,” Johnson said. “It makes a difference when we work together very well.”

Matt Stemwedel, Coon Rapids’ city manager, served as the board’s Metro Cities representative and worked closely with the IGR team on LGA. Johnson commended Stemwedel’s ability to listen to others on the board and balance their perspectives before submitting his votes.

“He’s one of the most respected city managers in our business,” Unmacht said. “He’s highly regarded, highly respected, very well-liked, a family man, and a good friend. Matt’s a young guy, and there’s a lot more coming from him in his career.”

Learn about each outgoing board member’s experience serving on LMC’s Board of Directors in the upcoming July-August issue of Minnesota Cities magazine.