So long, farewell, auf fiedersehen, goodnight

After three wonderful years, I will be leaving Envision Minnesota on Wednesday, January 25. While my experience here continues to be richly rewarding, I have wanted for a long time to work on my own as an independent consultant. On February 1, I will begin this new chapter.

The two things I will miss the most will be the issue and the people. As someone who has commitment issues about issues, smart growth has been a godsend. My interest in expanding the transit network is equaled only by my concern about people having safe and decent housing, but I’m also excited about preserving and enhancing our world-class parks and trails system. I found a kindred spirit in Envision Minnesota that ties all of these seemingly disparate, yet intimately connected, issues together.

The people I work with on a day-to-day basis also share this broad outlook. Envision Minnesota is good at the big picture work, like Legacy Letters, which illuminate so many personal stories that reinforce our shared sense of community.  But we also have the expertise on the ground level, working with local communities on issues from natural resource protection to zoning reform. My colleagues at our many partner groups, some of whom I also have worked with day-to-day, share this ability to think big yet get things done on the ground.

Envision Minnesota will be searching for a new policy director in the near future. Watch for the posting on our website.

Thank you to all the staff, board members, and volunteers at Envision Minnesota who have been so kind and helpful to me during my time here. Hope to see you on the train or the trails soon!

-John Bailey

PS - Apologies for the German typo, for those who caught it... if we fix it, Hot Dish readers lose their link!

Comments

[Connie Lanphear]

John, good luck to you! I have no doubt you will do well as a consultant -- you're smart, grounded in the issues, articulate, funny and simply a great guy.

[Tom Casey]

John, it's been a real honor and pleasure working with you. You've been a great asset to Envision Minnesota - and I have no doubt that you will find great success as an independent consultant. Thank you and best wishes!