This is our attempt to keep interested people informed about River issues, both historical and present. I will start out with a copy of my biography. I have been privileged to have lived near the Mississippi River almost all of my life and made a living because of it for over 40 years.
I hope I can keep you informed and entertained.
Greg
Born in St. Paul, raised in Mendota, Minnesota City, and Pine Bend, MN. Currently lives in South St. Paul. They are all towns on navigable rivers.
Got on my first towboat when I was 10 yrs. old. The engineer showed me the big engines, the cook gave me a big bowl of ice cream, and I fell in love with the river. Built a raft on the river when I was twelve and that experience taught me my river career wouldn’t be as a shipbuilder.
Started working on the river as a wharf rat, fueling and supplying boats.
Became a deckhand and after deciding I couldn’t drink enough coffee, smoke enough cigarettes, and drink Maalox by the big bottle – went into the office instead of becoming a pilot.
Worked in all aspects of barge operations, including crewing boats, dispatching, barge maintenance, and sales.
I have worked in subsequent years as the marine manager of a company engaged in private and COE dredging and construction projects.
My current jobs consist of consulting on marine projects, rentals of owned boats and barges, and management of river related real estate.
I also work part time, as a safety boat driver for Wilderness Inquiry Urban Wilderness Canoe Trips. It keeps me connected to the public, especially the youth.
I am currently:
Chairman of the Upper Mississippi Waterway Association, http://www.umwa.net/About-Us.html
Vice-President and co-founder of Friends of Pool 2. http://www.friendsofpool2.org
Board Member and Vice President of Friends of the Minnesota Valley , www.friendsofmnvalley.org
Board Member of Red Wing Marine Museum. http://www.redwingmarinemuseum.com/
Board Member of Minnesota River Congress Action Board
Current and past participant or member of the following groups:
Advisory Committee for Mississippi National River and Recreation Area’s (National Park Service) Visitor Center at Science Museum of Minnesota
Mississippi River Citizens Commission
Metropolitan Council’s Surface Water Utilization Plan
Metropolitan Council’s steering committee for Pool 2 Initiative
Ad Hoc member, USACE St. Paul District River Resource Forum
Citizen Advisory Committee for the Lower MN River Watershed District and Lower Mississippi Watershed Mgmt. Org.
Technical Advisory Committee for the Nelson Mine Project at Grey Cloud Island
Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area Rulemaking Advisory Committee
Lake Elysian Lake Association
Member of the MN Asian Carp Action Plan Working Group
Vice-President of Twin City Propeller Club
Life Member of Dakota County Historical Society
Interests:
Participating in river-related interest groups
Recreational boating and water sports on the river and lakes
Winter and summer skiing
Coaching a grown up Women’s Soccer team and playing soccer myself
Best 2 experiences:
In 2000 traveled to and spent 3 1/2 weeks in Vietnam adopting twin girls.
In 2005 spent a week in France navigating the Saone River with 22 other people piloting our own boats.
I hope I can keep you informed and entertained.
Greg
Born in St. Paul, raised in Mendota, Minnesota City, and Pine Bend, MN. Currently lives in South St. Paul. They are all towns on navigable rivers.
Got on my first towboat when I was 10 yrs. old. The engineer showed me the big engines, the cook gave me a big bowl of ice cream, and I fell in love with the river. Built a raft on the river when I was twelve and that experience taught me my river career wouldn’t be as a shipbuilder.
Started working on the river as a wharf rat, fueling and supplying boats.
Became a deckhand and after deciding I couldn’t drink enough coffee, smoke enough cigarettes, and drink Maalox by the big bottle – went into the office instead of becoming a pilot.
Worked in all aspects of barge operations, including crewing boats, dispatching, barge maintenance, and sales.
I have worked in subsequent years as the marine manager of a company engaged in private and COE dredging and construction projects.
My current jobs consist of consulting on marine projects, rentals of owned boats and barges, and management of river related real estate.
I also work part time, as a safety boat driver for Wilderness Inquiry Urban Wilderness Canoe Trips. It keeps me connected to the public, especially the youth.
I am currently:
Chairman of the Upper Mississippi Waterway Association, http://www.umwa.net/About-Us.html
Vice-President and co-founder of Friends of Pool 2. http://www.friendsofpool2.org
Board Member and Vice President of Friends of the Minnesota Valley , www.friendsofmnvalley.org
Board Member of Red Wing Marine Museum. http://www.redwingmarinemuseum.com/
Board Member of Minnesota River Congress Action Board
Current and past participant or member of the following groups:
Advisory Committee for Mississippi National River and Recreation Area’s (National Park Service) Visitor Center at Science Museum of Minnesota
Mississippi River Citizens Commission
Metropolitan Council’s Surface Water Utilization Plan
Metropolitan Council’s steering committee for Pool 2 Initiative
Ad Hoc member, USACE St. Paul District River Resource Forum
Citizen Advisory Committee for the Lower MN River Watershed District and Lower Mississippi Watershed Mgmt. Org.
Technical Advisory Committee for the Nelson Mine Project at Grey Cloud Island
Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area Rulemaking Advisory Committee
Lake Elysian Lake Association
Member of the MN Asian Carp Action Plan Working Group
Vice-President of Twin City Propeller Club
Life Member of Dakota County Historical Society
Interests:
Participating in river-related interest groups
Recreational boating and water sports on the river and lakes
Winter and summer skiing
Coaching a grown up Women’s Soccer team and playing soccer myself
Best 2 experiences:
In 2000 traveled to and spent 3 1/2 weeks in Vietnam adopting twin girls.
In 2005 spent a week in France navigating the Saone River with 22 other people piloting our own boats.
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