Carlson Companies Inc.

Jim Porter joined Carlson in April 2003 and currently serves as executive vice president and chief administrative officer. He is responsible for human resources, facilities and corporate services, information technology and communications. Prior to his current role, Jim served as executive vice president of human resources. Before joining Carlson, Jim was the senior vice president and chief administrative officer of Honeywell International. In his 21-year career at Honeywell, Jim rose from the role of a human resources recruiter in the company's defense division to senior vice president and chief administrative officer, one of six senior officers who reported to the chairman and CEO of the $25 billion corporation. In that role his responsibilities included corporate-wide oversight of human resources, information technology, e-business, communications, community relations and global business services. Prior to joining Honeywell, Jim served in a variety of positions with The Trane Company, LaCrosse, Wisconsin; Hoechst-Roussell Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Somerville, New Jersey; and ELBA Corporation, Denver, Colorado. Jim is a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University and a longtime resident of the Minneapolis community. He and his wife, Deb, live in Wayzata, Minnesota, and have two grown sons and two children who live at home.

William A. Van Brunt joined Carlson in February 2000 as senior vice president and general counsel. He was promoted to executive vice president in 2006. He also serves on the executive committee. Bill has practiced law in both the private and corporate sectors for the last 30 years. His practice has encompassed the areas of mergers and acquisitions, litigation and patent, anti-trust, commercial, international, food and drug, and corporate law. Bill began his career in missile science, working on Defense and N.A.S.A. projects at AVCO Research and Development, a cutting-edge company in hypersonic and thermodynamics at the time. He worked in the missile science industry for four years. Bill is an honors graduate of Pennsylvania State University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston University School of Law and Harvard Law School. Bill is married to Gail Van Brunt, a relationship manager for Carlson Marketing. They have three children.

Geoff founded Geoffrey Carlson Gage in 1999, after leaving his post at Gage Marketing Group. He is the agency President, as well as co-owner with his wife Kelly. Under Geoff's leadership, the agency has developed long-standing relationships with clients in a wide variety of industries. Prior to 1999, Geoff wore multiple hats over a number of years at Gage Marketing Group, including Corporate Communications Manager. He also spent time in the Marketing Communications Group, performing work for clients such as Heinz, Carlisle Plastics, Target, the National Hockey League, Agio, Goldsmith and Helms. Previously, Geoff had been a copywriter for Campbell-Mithun and Grant and Palombo Advertising. Geoff has served or is currently serving on many boards and/or advisory committees, both in the corporate and public-service sectors. These include: Carlson Companies and Gage Marketing Group (family businesses headquartered in Minnesota), A.C.E.S. (Athletes Committed to Educating Students), ARC of Hennepin/Carver Counties, Rotary International Excelsior Chapter and the Excelsior Chamber of Commerce. Geoff's formal education includes a Masters in Business Communication from the University of St. Thomas and a B.A. in Communications from Augsburg College. He also is a proud part owner of Carlson Companies and Gage Marketing Group.