Vance Norgaard » My Greeting

My Greeting

Vance (cropped)

Hello!

I’m Vance Norgaard and I entered the State Senate race for District 25 because I have beliefs, assets, and experiences that will lead Minnesotans to become aware that in facing a changing world, we need to make conscious choices that lead to adjusted lifestyles. I believe that we will be facing some serious economic problems in the near future, and continuing. Believing that I am the most qualified candidate to deal with these challenges, I also will serve all of the people of District 25, not just special interest groups. I have 42 years of successful work experience (beginning at the age of 18 when I contracted with a township to clean the brush out of ditches), 21 years of operating a national construction company, and a lifelong addiction to farming, most recently having completed my eleventh year of organic farming. I have been endorsed by the Independence Party.

Conducting my campaign

Due to a compressed time period of this election cycle, the majority of my campaign will be conducted electronically, using my website–www.vancenorgaard.com. At any point as you are visiting my website, you may click “more” and you will be able to learn in-depth information about my views and goals. My website features an interactive weblog, video clips and documented issues that you may read and reread.

The advantages of an electronic campaign include:

*More of you will be able to meet me and learn about my campaign goals.

*You can read my views, unfiltered by other media.

*You can ask me questions directly and expect quick responses.

*You will not be asked for contributions.

I would like you to see and hear my messages from the comfort of your own home or from locations where you access a computer. This will save you time, money, energy and enable you to get a message you might normally miss if you had to attend yet another meeting. Additionally, you will be hearing from me on the radio and in newspapers.

You should also know that I am financing my own campaign because it allows me to represent you, rather than be tied to special interests.

Learning about my work experience

Many of you may know that I grew up on a farm, have farmed conventionally and have been an organic farmer for 11 years. It has taught me a great deal about patience, understanding processes, and quick, yet educated, decision-making for long-term results. These are the same qualities that I would bring to you as your senator. You should also know about my earlier work history.

The first phase of my professional experience began in 1969, spanning over two decades of background in the natural gas distribution industry. I started work for Northern Pipeline Construction Company (NPL) as a pilot and bookkeeper. In the bookkeeper position, I learned about accounting, invoicing, collecting, balancing accounts/checkbooks, and cash flow–lessons that have proved invaluable throughout my life.

While I was the safety director and equipment superintendent, I set up safety policies and procedures to meet insurance and OSHA requirements. I believed that safety is the highest priority, and that safety is everyone’s responsibility. Additionally, I set up equipment maintenance programs, purchasing and disposal programs, and yearly equipment appraisals.

I sometimes worked in the field to gain greater understanding of the process and work involved. I believed that all managers should experience field work every so often to better understand the internal workings of the organization and to meet the people who make it all happen.

When I became Vice President of Administration, I was responsible for developing and implementing a cost accounting system, approving all contracts, and managing the accounting department. Along with this, came the task of cleaning up business practices that drove the company into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1980, and the task of working out of bankruptcy. This is a ride you want to avoid, if possible! However, if you survive, you will never forget the lessons you learned. Within three years, the company was solvent again and paid off its debts. I am happy to say that every creditor who asked to be paid in full over time was paid in full, and all who asked for a discount to be paid immediately were paid immediately. This was one of the better outcomes of any Chapter 11 filings in the state.

As I continued with NPL, I handled all legal matters, all insurance procurement, contract bidding, accounting, audits, financial matters and the local, state, and national union negotiations. Part of my job at that time was traveling throughout the U.S. to ensure safety and execution of the equipment program at branch sites. Traveling also educated me in the various branch cultures and gave me a broad view of their perspectives and performance.

One of the accomplishments of which I am most proud occurred in the early ‘80’s. I set up a profit sharing program for NPL in which the profit was divided in three ways: one-third went to all hourly union workers, one-third went to all salaried supervisors, and one-third went to administrators.

At the end of my 21-year career path in the pipeline industry, I had become a partner in a nationwide company of 600 yearly employees with a total annual income of 46 million dollars.

Phase two of my professional career began in 1989, with the purchase of American Aviation Company at Flying Cloud Field. I installed the first, and I believe to this day, the only self-service aviation gas dispenser on Flying Cloud Field. Even after installing the self-service fuel dispenser, the company was unable to compete with mass marketing of our products. During the time I operated this business, the number of similar aviation businesses in the nation dropped from 5000 to around 2000. I maintained this business for five years.

Having lost considerable money, I sold the business in 1996; however, I did learn a great deal about the aviation industry in Minnesota and about the Minnesota Airport Commission (MAC). When MAC wanted to raise the tenants’ rental, I was instrumental in setting up a meeting with the Governor. MAC stopped pursuing the increase in rental fees, and the meeting was canceled.

That brings me full circle to the beginning of my organic farming days. Now, 11 years later, I am still a believer in organic farming and am teaching the organic farming process to our two youngest children.

Contacting me

I look forward to hearing from you and am open to your comments. Using my website, you may reach me in two ways: