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Meet Justin: Service-Driven Leadership for Maple Grove

  • Maple Grove Resident: Parkview neighbor, local dad, and Community Police Academy graduate.
  • Proven Leader: 10+ years in Public Health administration and strategic planning for local government.
  • Safety & Service: Former EMT with a Master of Public Health, prepared to lead on day one.
  • Community First: Dedicated to inclusive, transparent, and results-driven local government.

Why We Chose Maple Grove

I love my community! My wife, Kari, and I hand-picked Maple Grove as the ideal place for our growing family’s home, and we moved to the Parkview neighborhood in 2021. Our three sons, Daniel (9), Frederick (7), and Justin Junior (JJ – 4) love playing at Central Park, exploring the miles of trails in the city, ice skating at the Loop, and swimming at the Community Center. Since moving to Maple Grove, I have appreciated the sense of connectedness and good will shared among those I’ve met. I want to harness that culture and bring it to the City Council Chambers for the benefit of ALL residents.

Learning the Value of Hard Work

My commitment to service started early. I grew up in Chanhassen, MN and decided to attend the University of Wisconsin – Madison for college. While earning a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology, I held leadership positions in the co-ed service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. Service projects included campus cleanups, fundraisers for breast cancer awareness, and volunteering at local food pantries. I also held an internship with Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, where I cultivated a passion for helping people who need it most.

After moving back to the Twin Cities, I worked the night shift as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) serving patients at Abbott Northwestern Hospital for four years. As a union member, I learned about the value of organized labor. I greatly appreciate all who serve in the healthcare field; their compassion and dedication are essential to a thriving community.

From the Bedside to Building Better Systems

Driven by a desire to improve the systems we all rely upon for health, I earned a Master of Public Health degree in Public Health Administration and Policy from the University of Minnesota. For the past 10+ years, I’ve worked in Public Health for Isanti, Anoka, and Hennepin Counties. Currently, I serve as an Administrative Manager in the Public Health for Hennepin County. In this role, I lead and oversee complex projects with strategic value to the department and the community, including workforce development and quality improvement / innovation.

Committed to Public Service

Throughout my life, I’ve committed to giving back to the community and helping my neighbors. I’ve been active in my faith community, including directing theatrical productions, leading Sunday School activities, traveling to Mexico on mission trips, and serving as a Church Council member. I also help neighbors in need through food support and donations, cleaning up trash, participating in fundraisers, organizing health screenings and blood donations, supporting local businesses and farmers, and other activities. Since moving to Maple Grove, I’ve intentionally engaged with the city to learn about its history and services. In the fall of 2025, I completed the Maple Grove Community Police Academy, which helped me better understand and appreciate the work of our Maple Grove Police Department and its many partners.

A Record of Getting Things Done

My experience working in local government has given me many opportunities to serve my community. Over the years, I revised key local ordinances, led county-wide planning efforts around community health assessment and health improvement plans, served as Planning Section Chief during the COVID-19 pandemic response, organized community engagement efforts to understand and address health needs, analyzed complex health and social data, communicated diligently with the public through print, video, and social media, developed long-term strategic plans, and built coalitions to address emerging public health concerns such as domestic violence and food insecurity.

Ready to Serve as Your Voice

I believe my unique skillset — combining front-line emergency response experience with high-level administrative leadership — has prepared me well to serve as your next Maple Grove City Council member. My intention is to engage with community residents and collaborate with partners to serve the City of Maple Grove in a compassionate and inclusive way.