Business Forward Advisory Board
This board is the voice of the business community in matters that impact businesses in Brooklyn Park.
About
Business Forward is an initiative engaging community partners to create an even better business climate in Brooklyn Park. The effort is producing real outcomes that are leading to an improved business climate in the community as well as better communication and collaboration between the businesses and stakeholders.
The effort has the goal of making Brooklyn Park a better place to do business and is part of the city’s mission statement to be a thriving city, inspiring pride where opportunity exists for all. It is also part of the city’s overall community engagement initiative, which is to make sure those affected by city decisions are asked first.
The membership of the board represents different business types, sizes and locations within the city. They work with city staff on implementing the Business Forward recommendations and discuss various business related items.
Board members
The board has 15 representatives.
| Member | Company | Term |
| Brad Clift | Star Exhibits | Dec 2019 |
| Ben Dossman | Fat Chance Sandwich Shop | Dec 2019 |
| Renay Dossman | Fat Chance Sandwich Shop | Dec 2019 |
| James Dow | Diversified Plastics Inc | Dec 2019 |
| Jackson George, Jr. | Liberian Business Association in the Diaspora Comfortable Living Inc | Dec 2019 |
| Yasmin Hyder | McDonald’s | Dec 2019 |
| Sonny Kester | American Family Insurance | Dec 2019 |
| Annette Lund | Diversified Plastics Inc | Dec 2019 |
| Curtis Medina | Daily Dose Cafe | Dec 2019 |
| Karen Philbin | North Hennepin Community College Foundation | Dec 2019 |
| Joe Piket | Primrose | Dec 2019 |
| Matt Rau | Takeda Pharmaceuticals | Dec 2019 |
| Steve Schmidt (Commissioner) | Marshell Spears | Dec 2019 |
| Anh Tran | Evotronics | Dec 2019 |
| Anthony Watts | US Bank | Dec 2019 |
Council liaisons
Apply
Applicants must be business representatives or stakeholders of a small business located in Brooklyn Park.
Apply for the Business Forward Advisory Board here >
Brooklyn Park Development Corporation
The Brooklyn Park Development Corporation (BPDC) is a not-for-profit corporation that works to promote and support the growth of small business in Brooklyn Park. Its primary activities include the offering of two small business loan funds available to Brooklyn Park, Minnesota businesses.
Members
Members of the BPDC board of directors are volunteers and are appointed by the Brooklyn Park City Council for a two-year term.
| Member | Role | Term ends |
| Terry Parks | Council representative | Dec 2021 |
| Lisa Jacobson | Council representative (alternate) | Dec 2021 |
| Jeffrey Lunde | Economic Development Authority representative | Feb 2020 |
| Anthony Fallah Swaray (President) | Resident Representative | Feb 2019 |
| Washington Toe | Financial Institution representative | Dec 2021 |
| Jim Haglund (Vice President) | Business representative | Feb 2020 |
Staff position
- Gary Winter – Legal counsel
- Bill Goodrich – Loan agreements
- Malcolm Hicks – Secretary
Meetings
The board meets at City Hall on an “as needed” basis throughout the year, typically about six times per year. The meetings are held at 7:30 a.m. and last one to two hours.
Apply
There are currently open positions for a Banking Representative and Business Representative.
Banking Representatives represent a bank located in Brooklyn Park OR must have provided a loan to a small business in Brooklyn Park to be eligible.
Apply for Banking Representative and Business Representative here >