John Torgrimson has been hired as interim executive director to help set the groundwork for the future of Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center near Lanesboro, a regional environmental education hub for the past four decades.
With a background in administration of non-profit groups, Torgrimson has worked with refugees in Southeast Asia, east Africa and the Philippines. He returned to the area in the mid 1990s and purchased the Fillmore County Journal, which he ran for 13 years before selling the business in 2009. Most recently Torgrimson served as Executive Director of Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, overseeing the cataloging of SSE’s library of historic and organic gardening literature and overhauling SSE’s membership services to bring in new members.
“I like working for non-profits. It will be great to be able to use my management skills to lead the organization. Eagle Bluff is really a dynamic, unique organization. It has a great mission and a dedicated staff,” Torgrimson said.”
“We found it natural to seek an interim Executive Director following the 40 years Joe Deden has successfully lead Eagle Bluff to the Environmental Learning Center and ecological magnet that it is today. John’s early experience in the Peace Corps followed by wisdom gained from leading OXFAM Hong Kong and others, led us to believe that he will be able to help Eagle Bluff and it’s amazing team successfully transition into an even stronger organization. We’ve got work to do and we look forward to John’s insightful leadership to help us accomplish it,” said Board President Ian Scheerer.
In accepting the position, Torgrimson said, “I am humbled and excited by the opportunity to lead this organization…I am fortunate that Eagle Bluff’s talented staff and board will support me and help guide me. Joe will remain on staff in various capacities and I am grateful to have his expertise and knowledge readily available as we begin planning for Eagle Bluff’s next 40 years..”