Duluth Airport Authority
Board of Directors

Our board members provide the wise counsel we depend on to help us guide the Duluth International Airport into the future.

 

Kevin O’Brien

President

View Bio »

Kevin O’Brien has been in the Real Estate business for 27 years. His accreditations include the Certified Residential Specialist designation as well as being a Graduate of the Realtor’s Institute.  He has lived in Duluth for the past 30 years and from 1988-1993, attended the University of Minnesota Duluth where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.  Kevin also served in the Minnesota National Guard for 22 years, obtaining the rank of Master Sergeant and fulfilling the duties of Squadron Intelligence NCO and Senior Operations Sergeant. He is a 30 year member of the Port of Duluth Kiwanis Club and past president.  Kevin is also a founding board member of the Duluth Police Foundation where is he currently is a board member.

Michael Henderson

Vice President 

View Bio »

Michael Henderson serves as a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch and is partner of the Sieh Henderson Group in the Duluth, MN office.  Prior to joining Merrill Lynch in 2016, Michael graduated from Saint John’s University in Collegeville, MN where he earned both his B.A. degree and military commission into the U.S Army.  After graduating college he attended U.S. Army aviation flight school in Fort Rucker, AL and went on to serve as an officer and aviator in the United States Army for ten years, obtaining the rank of Major.  His deployments include serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Republic of Korea as a Blackhawk Helicopter Aeromedical Evacuation pilot-in-command, and in Sinai, Egypt where he served as the Multination Force and Observers Aviation Fixed Wing Commander and C-12 airplane pilot-in-command.  He continues to maintain his FAA helicopter and airplane multi-engine commercial pilot ratings and is passionate about aviation.  Michael also serves on the Military Affairs Committee through the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce and the Scott Anderson Leadership Committee through the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation.

Jeff Anderson

Secretary

View Bio »

Jeffery D. Anderson is the former Deputy Chief of Staff and District Director to Minnesota’s Eighth District U.S. Representative Richard M. Nolan (2013-2019). Mr. Anderson has also served as a Duluth City Councilor (2008-2012) and Duluth Economic Development Authority Commissioner (2008-2012). He currently serves as a board member of the Duluth Charter Commission and Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce. Born and raised on Minnesota’s Vermilion Iron Range in Ely, Anderson attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth and served for 6-years in the Minnesota Army National Guard. He worked in broadcast radio for 17-years before his government service. He currently works as a government and public affairs consultant with the Costin Group, Inc. Jeff and his husband Jason Vincent own and operate the Boat Club Restaurant & Bar in Duluth, the Vanilla Bean Restaurant’s in Duluth and Two Harbors and JayBee Travel.

Elissa Hansen

Board Member

View Bio »

Elissa Hansen, President & CEO of the Northspan Group, Inc., invests her time creatively advancing others’ capabilities. Recently, she has facilitated strategic planning processes for numerous public, private, and nonprofit organizations in the Upper Midwest. She also spearheaded the creation of the Minnesota Opportunity Collaborative and has worked to expand and enhance Northspan’s programs. She leads Northspan with over 20 years of experience in business and economic development across Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Jason CrawfordJason Crawford

Board Member

View Bio »

Jason has been in commercial banking for ten years. He started at Republic Bank as a Credit Analyst in 2012 and became a Commercial Lender five years later. In October of 2019, Jason moved to Bell Bank as VP / Commercial Banker. At Bell Bank, where he works with businesses of all sizes and industries, including commercial real estate, industrial, professional services and manufacturing. Currently, he is the Treasurer of the board for The Boys & Girls Club of the Northland and has been a board member since 2018. He has also been on the Duluth Planning Commission since April of 2018. Lastly, he is on the Finance Committee and Lending Committee for OneRoof Housing. Jason is born and raised in Duluth, MN. He graduated from UMD in 2012 and resides in Duluth with his wife, daughter and dog.

Sandy Hoff

Board Member

View Bio »

Sandy Hoff is president of F.I. Salter Real Estate, a 137-year-old Duluth real estate firm, and has been in the real estate business for over 40 years.  He is a licensed Real Estate Broker and Certified General Real Property Appraiser. Mr. Hoff is also an experienced real estate developer having developed numerous residential, hospitality and commercial properties throughout Duluth and northern Minnesota including the Pier B Resort Hotel on Duluth’s waterfront, as codeveloper. Mr. Hoff is also involved in a diverse portfolio of business enterprises including regional resorts, hotels, marinas and restaurants.  Mr. Hoff was a founding member of Lake Superior Helicopters along with other aviation enthusiasts. Community involvement and enrichment is a priority for Mr. Hoff as he has had the privilege of serving on the board of directors for over 19 local organizations and has been a member of the Duluth Rotary Club 25 for over 38 years. Mr. Hoff is a licensed pilot and enjoys flying their Cirrus SR22 and Cessna Floatplanes with partners and family members. Hobbies include snow skiing, mountain biking, flying, snowmobiling and spending time at the family cabin on Lake Vermilion.  Mr. Hoff is Married to Natalie, and is proud that kids Daniel, Braden and Callie all work and live in the Duluth area.

Briana Johnson

Board Member

View Bio »

Briana Johnson serves as a Development Director for the American Heart Association where she is responsible for the Northland Heart Walk and Northland Go Red for Women fundraising events, and works closely with businesses in the Twin Ports, and schools throughout St. Louis, Lake, and Cook counties on prevention and education programs. She has lived in Duluth for most of her life and attended the University of Minnesota Duluth where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications.  Briana has a passion for the tourism industry having worked at Spirit Mountain for 18 years, and at the St. Louis County Depot for nearly five, in addition to serving as the Board Chair for Visit Duluth, President of the Duluth Area Attractions Council, and currently serving as a member of the Leadership Team for the Duluth Airshow. She also serves on the Board of Directors for both the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce and the Duluth Area YMCA Heritage Foundation.