Jonathan grew up on a dairy farm in Minnesota and made his living milking cows for ten years. He and his wife have four children who have all graduated from college and have 9 grandchildren. Recreational activities include fishing and following major league baseball, the Minnesota Twins in particular.

Jonathan graduated from NDSU with a M.S. degree in Ag Econ. He did ag lending in Nebraska, Minnesota and Illinois and has been in the economic development profession for the last 33 years working in Illinois, Wisconsin and North Dakota. He worked for North Dakota Economic Development & Finance 7 years. The emphasis his economic development activities has been assisting small businesses startups and expansions. During the later part of his employment at ED&F, his activities became more concentrated in the area of Technology Transfer, Inc. projects and funding requests. This program involved assisting entrepreneurs and inventors commercialize new technology. The program targeted projects that were at the research and development stage. He also administered a statewide grant program that funded projects at the R & D stage.

After funding for R & D activities was discontinued at ED&F, he worked for Impact Seven, a community development financial institution (CDFI) in Almena, Wisconsin. He was the Microloan Program Manager for a statewide SBA Microloan program and also packaged SBA 504 fixed asset loans for small businesses.

Jonathan’s present position is Tribal Business Information Center Director at Sitting Bull College in Fort Yates, ND. He has had this position since 2002. His activities revolve around consultation with small business and assistance with business plan writing. Part of preparing clients for obtaining financing for businesses is working with them on personal finance issues. This has become necessary because client credit reports have been the number one showstopper to getting businesses started. He has taught First Step Fast Trac Entrepreneurship to people in the community. He also does business workshops and is involved in strategic planning. Income tax preparation and planning are also significant areas on his work. He also taught other business and ag business classes to both students registered at Sitting Bull College and people in the community. We have a business incubator on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation which he has the management and marketing responsibilities.

Certifications include National Development Council Economic Development Finance Professional, Money Smart Certified Trainer, NxLeveL Entrepreneurship Instructor, First Step Fast Trac Instructor, National Business Incubator Association incubator management certification and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Site Manager.