Steve Jecha For Minneapolis Park Board
About Steve
Commitment to kids....
Commitment to parks....
Leadership Minneapolis Needs....
For those who know Steve, they know that he is very committed to Minneapolis kids. From coaching the local sports teams to taking groups of Minneapolis kids to Sweden to play hockey, bandy, and learn about their culture and history. It is this commitment to kids and our community which led Steve to run. As Steve says, "Our Park Board needs Commissioners that have fully immersed themselves not only in Minneapolis' wonderful parks, but also into our community through our recreational programming at our local community parks/centers."
Steve graduated from Saint Olaf College in 1985 (BA) and the University of St. Thomas 1989 (MBA). During the time Steve was getting his MBA he and his wife, JoAnne (who was getting her MD) lived in the Longfellow neighborhood of Minneapolis. They both loved using Longfellow Park and often made trips down to Minnehaha Falls Park to let their chocolate lab, Ashley run (shhhh....don't tell Park Police!).
At Saint Olaf, Steve played hockey and after graduating from Saint Olaf he began playing bandy (a Russian/Scandanavian game that mixes hockey and soccer). For fifteen years he competed on the US National Team and played in Norway, Sweden, Holland, Finland, and Russia. He has used many of the connections made over these years to develop cultural opportunities for Minneapolis kids.
In 1991 they moved over to the Fulton Neighborhood in Minneapolis and began to use the Lakes and Pershing Park. Their first child arrived in 1994...Anders. In 1996, Katie was born and their family was complete. In 2001 they moved into the Lynnhurst neighborhood to be closer to the Lakes. Ashley passed away many years ago....but was replaced by the loveable Zoe who, outside of running free at the 'up north' lake...lives for walks around Lake Harriet!
Steve has actively coached Hockey and Soccer in the community. Many of his SWAC (Pershing/Linden Hills) soccer teams and Southwest Hockey teams have been very successful while always focusing on having a good time and learning life's lessons through sports.
Professionally, Steve has worked for a Fortune 500 Insurance company, owned several businesses (printing, software, and a 120 employee electronics business). Today, he is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Burnet as well as the Executive Director of the Southwest Hockey Association.
In 2004, Steve became the President of the Southwest Hockey Association. At the time, the program was almost $100,000 in debt and had serious recruitment problems. Today, the association is operating 'in the black', and has over 300 kids playing high level travelling hockey. In 2009, the unexpected happened when four teams made the Minnesota State hockey tournaments. Yes.....hockey is back in Minneapolis!
Commitment to parks....
Leadership Minneapolis Needs....
For those who know Steve, they know that he is very committed to Minneapolis kids. From coaching the local sports teams to taking groups of Minneapolis kids to Sweden to play hockey, bandy, and learn about their culture and history. It is this commitment to kids and our community which led Steve to run. As Steve says, "Our Park Board needs Commissioners that have fully immersed themselves not only in Minneapolis' wonderful parks, but also into our community through our recreational programming at our local community parks/centers."
Steve graduated from Saint Olaf College in 1985 (BA) and the University of St. Thomas 1989 (MBA). During the time Steve was getting his MBA he and his wife, JoAnne (who was getting her MD) lived in the Longfellow neighborhood of Minneapolis. They both loved using Longfellow Park and often made trips down to Minnehaha Falls Park to let their chocolate lab, Ashley run (shhhh....don't tell Park Police!).
At Saint Olaf, Steve played hockey and after graduating from Saint Olaf he began playing bandy (a Russian/Scandanavian game that mixes hockey and soccer). For fifteen years he competed on the US National Team and played in Norway, Sweden, Holland, Finland, and Russia. He has used many of the connections made over these years to develop cultural opportunities for Minneapolis kids.
In 1991 they moved over to the Fulton Neighborhood in Minneapolis and began to use the Lakes and Pershing Park. Their first child arrived in 1994...Anders. In 1996, Katie was born and their family was complete. In 2001 they moved into the Lynnhurst neighborhood to be closer to the Lakes. Ashley passed away many years ago....but was replaced by the loveable Zoe who, outside of running free at the 'up north' lake...lives for walks around Lake Harriet!
Steve has actively coached Hockey and Soccer in the community. Many of his SWAC (Pershing/Linden Hills) soccer teams and Southwest Hockey teams have been very successful while always focusing on having a good time and learning life's lessons through sports.
Professionally, Steve has worked for a Fortune 500 Insurance company, owned several businesses (printing, software, and a 120 employee electronics business). Today, he is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Burnet as well as the Executive Director of the Southwest Hockey Association.
In 2004, Steve became the President of the Southwest Hockey Association. At the time, the program was almost $100,000 in debt and had serious recruitment problems. Today, the association is operating 'in the black', and has over 300 kids playing high level travelling hockey. In 2009, the unexpected happened when four teams made the Minnesota State hockey tournaments. Yes.....hockey is back in Minneapolis!
