Keynote Sessions/Bios
Opening Keynote
Exploring for Excellence -The Magic of the 5C’s
Life is an incredible trail. Journey with Pat Johns to the "Shadow of
Giants," Mt Everest and four of the world's five tallest mountains. Pat
shares with you lessons learned from some of the world's top endurance
athletes who participate in the grueling Himalayan 100 mile running race.
Pat is an elite endurance athlete and the only one in the WORLD to have
competed in — and finished — The Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race, not just
once but four times. "The Himalayan 100" is a high altitude, 100 mile
running race that takes place every year in the Himalayan Mountains near the
border between India and Nepal. However, Pat's program is not just about
running, it's about living — it's about how people change when they choose
to do difficult things. Pat Johns inspires, enlightens, energizes and
entertains audiences by magically weaving his incredible photographs and
stories with powerful, insightful beliefs, delivering a call to action to
step out of their COMFORT ZONE to discover genuine fulfillment,
professionally and personally.
Patrick Johns, President/CEO, PFJ Communications
Pat Johns, a global adventurist,
challenges life on every level. An expert athlete, Pat has competed
in over 60 ultra-marathons and marathons worldwide. Marathons measure 26.2
miles; an ultra-marathon exceeds that definition. His sport: endurance trail
running." Upon completing the 2005 Himalayan 100, Pat is the single figure
in history to finish the high-altitude 100 mile running race on the
India-Nepal borders four times. Pat's focus now includes his work and
adventure in Africa, which is the topic of his second book:
Echoes through the Great Rift Valley-The Winding Road to Livingstonia.
Exploring the motivation and mind set of the few elite endurance athletes
who run the grueling Himalayan 100 has yielded Pat’s unique understanding of
the common-core values of these diverse competitors from around the world.
This perspective has formulated and shaped his dynamic “Power of the Five
Footprints” presentation. As an award-winning corporate leader, he
translates his exceptional message to business and life! Professionally,
Pat is a journalist, photographer, corporate presenter and leadership
expert. His photos and articles are published internationally in an array of
magazines, including: Runner’s World,
Ultra Running, Health & Fitness, Life and Style, and WE.
Watch for his latest book, Footprints in the Shadow of Giants.
Pat presents for a wide range of audiences: corporate to
college, across America to the far reaches of Russia and Africa. His
highly-acclaimed program “The Himalayan 100 and the Power of the Five C's”
carries compelling endorsements including that of the Director of the
Smithsonian Institute. A frequent TV and talk-radio guest, Pat produced
programming for KERA – National Public Radio.
Lunch Keynote
State Sustainability: Leading by Example
The speaker explores one organization’s efforts to create a sustainable present and future,
focusing on economic renewal in rural pockets of the state and working to promote
quality of life and meet the needs of present generations
without compromising those of the future. Led by
students seeking change, the University of Minnesota, Morris
has set a goal of achieving energy independence and carbon
neutrality by 2010 and, in spite of policy hurdles, economic
barriers, and political set backs, continues to move down
the sustainability path. Key variables in the effort
include bold vision, the belief that “impatience is a
virtue”, a toolbox of financial solutions, a willingness to
take risks along the way, and a keen recognition of the
importance of place and legacy.
Jacqueline Johnson, Chancellor, University of
Minnesota-Morris
Jacqueline Johnson is Chancellor of the University of
Minnesota, Morris, a position she has held since August
2006. She earned her Bachelor’s degree at Macalester
College in Saint Paul, Minnesota and her Master’s and Ph.D.
in sociology at Purdue University in West Lafayette,
Indiana. Johnson began her career as a faculty member
and administrator at Grand Valley State University in
Allendale, Michigan, and served as chief academic officer at
two private institutions-- Saint Martin’s College in Lacey,
Washington and Buena Vista University in Storm Lake,
Iowa—before joining the Morris community. She is
a member of the boards of Pioneer Public Television and
Minnesota Campus Compact. She also serves on the
Steering Committee of the American College and University
Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) and is co-chair of
its renewable energy subcommittee. Johnson was
recently elected to the board of the Association for the
Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
Closing Keynote
Staying Competitive in a Changing World
Let’s face it - nothing stays the same, especially in
business. Minnesota companies have established a global
reputation in such industries as medical devices, foods, and
computers and electronics. The state economy is already
evolving with a new generation of green businesses such as
wind energy, biomass and ethanol. But what other changes are
occurring or need to occur to keep the state competitive?
Dan McElroy, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of
Employment and Economic Development, will talk about what it
will take to keep the state prosperous in the coming
decades. During a listening tour that took him around
the state last year, Commissioner McElroy heard insights,
feedback and suggestions about how Minnesota needs to
respond to retain its competitive edge. In this
presentation, he will tell you what he learned and offer
some fresh challenges and proposals for our economic future.
Dan McElroy, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
Dan McElroy is commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and
Economic Development (DEED), which supports the prosperity of Minnesota's
individuals, businesses and communities. He assumed this role in 2007.
McElroy joined Governor Pawlenty's leadership team in 2003 as commissioner
of the Minnesota Department of Finance. He later served as the governor's
chief of staff before becoming the Governor's senior advisor on innovation
in 2005. Prior to his appointments, McElroy served in the Minnesota House
of Representatives from 1995 to 2003. McElroy also was mayor of Burnsville
(1987-1994) and a member of the Burnsville City Council (1983-1986). In the
private sector, he was active in the travel agency business from 1979 to
1994 and in the travel agency software and consulting business from 1994
until 2003. He was a director of American Bank Burnsville, and is a member
of the Burnsville Rotary Club, the Burnsville Chamber of Commerce, and the
Citizens League of the Twin Cities.