Luke Nilles – Board Member

A lifelong resident of the St. Paul area, Luke developed a deep connection to the Mississippi River from an early age. Growing up in South St. Paul, he spent countless hours fishing along the shorelines of Pool 2 before exploring the river by boat in search of the best fishing spots. His father’s stories of living in a boathouse in Winona instilled in him a lasting appreciation for river life. Today, Luke experiences the river from a rowing shell, a passion he discovered through the Minnesota Boat Club, where he fell in love with the sport.

As a board member, Luke aims to bring a creative and entrepreneurial spirit to expanding access to the river. He is committed to promoting the Mississippi as a place for recreation, exercise, and social connection so that individuals and families can fully enjoy this incredible resource.

Luke earned his B.A. in Business Administration from Winona State University and later completed his MBA at the University of St. Thomas. He now helps lead his family’s collection of small businesses in the St. Paul area, specializing in residential building, electrical contracting, and real estate investing. His early career focused on restoring St. Paul’s historic homes, but over the past decade, he has transitioned into general management and strategic business planning. Luke also serves on the boards of the Minnesota Boat Club and the Great River Road Wine Trail Co-op.

​Luke lives in St. Paul near Harriet Island with his golden retriever, Ike, who once excelled in the duck blinds and pheasant fields. Outside of rowing, he enjoys fitness activities such as running, biking, swimming, and CrossFit. When time allows, he visits his family’s farm near Winona, where he hunts, fishes, and explores the region’s trout streams. Though his golf clubs gather some dust these days, he still finds time for a few rounds each season.