Joel has had a distinguished career positioning, growing and advocating for business and industry organizations.

About Joel Hoiland

CAREER SUMMARY - President & CEO of the following organizations:

  • Utilimetrics-The Utility Industry Technology Association

  • Window and Door Manufacturers Association

  • International Warehouse Logistics Association

  • National Association of Electrical Distributors

  • Minnesota Grocers Association

  • Earlier … High School Teacher & Coach

LEADERSHIP & CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

BOARDS OF DIRECTORS

  • Food Industry Association Executives (Chairman)

  • Associations North (President/Chairman)

  • Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra (Chairman)

  • MN Council of Retail Trade Associations (President)

  • MN Governmental Relations Council (Officer)

APPOINTMENTS  

  • Dept of Homeland Security (DHS) Food & Agriculture Infrastructure Sector (Chairman)

  • Smart Grid Interoperability Task Force

  • MN Governor’s Food Safety Advisory Committee

  • MN Health Policy Task Force

  • MN Workplace Violence Task Force

  • Convenience Store Industry Environmental Advisory Committee

  • Collaboration is about working well with others and achieving agreed upon outcomes. The City Council needs people who will build relationships, resolve conflicts, and produce solutions in a timely manner.

  • Listening is the first element of good communication. Gathering information, seeking a variety of input, considering all sides, making informed and timely decisions, and finally, communicating the outcomes.

  • First, identify and prioritize which problems to solve. Then, find the root causes of the problems (issues), gather as much data as possible, speak to the people involved, and separate facts from opinions. Finally, make sound decisions in a timely manner that best serves the interests of the community.

Guiding Approaches

  • While serving as president and CEO of the MN Grocers Association, I was also their chief industry lobbyist. Later, as president and CEO of successive organizations, I guided government affairs programs at the state, national, and international levels, regularly interacting with administrations, congress, cabinets, legislatures, and regulatory agencies. I have testified before numerous legislative committees and signed historic agreements with federal agencies. I’ve also been selected to serve on many state and national task groups, committees, and think tanks. In every organization, I have guided boards of directors and led quality governance initiatives.

  • Throughout my 30-year business career, and as a high school teacher and coach, I greatly valued developing my communication, collaboration, and leadership skills. As a business executive, I excelled at leading strategy, governance, planning, financial management, government affairs, marketing, operations, and business development. I led governmental advocacy programs at the state and federal levels, turned around underperforming organizations, and identified and built new revenue streams. I also managed budgets up to $27 million. My track record and real-world experiences enable me to bring unique skill sets to the Lake Geneva City Council. Some people learn on the job. I am ready to hit the road running on day one.

  • We are fortunate to live in one of the greatest countries in the history of the world. The phrase “of the people, by the people, and for the people” is not just a timeless Lincoln phrase from the Gettysburg Address; it embodies what it means to step up and be part of solving societal challenges. This is the driving force compelling me to public service, to give back and share my expertise, talents, resources, and critical thinking toward making the City of Lake Geneva the best that it can be.