Joe Czapiewski is a very talented young man. After working 30 plus years at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in State Parks, I retired and was hired as the Park Director for Beltrami County. At the DNR I held 6 different positions including Assistant State Park Director and State Park Planning Manager. In my many years of working, I find Joe Czapiewski to be the type of planning and fundraising talent that a community in Northern Minnesota is looking for to achieve their goals. When I took over the Park Director position for Beltrami County, our first priority was to prepare a total recreational plan for Beltrami County. Joe and I worked closely together on this plan that was completed and has now been 80% implemented. Our plan was realistic and within reach; it designated all parks and trails identifying grants and funding resources to achieve the county’s goals in recreation.