Matthew Deery - Executive Editor
Matthew has been managing Minnesota Connected since 2013. He has taken on a full time career in video production, but still has a passion for the written word. Matthew has a wonderful wife and two adorable sons.
Deanna Olson - Contributing Writer
Deanna calls Central Minnesota home. She attended St. Cloud State University and obtained her BA in Applied Sociology. Her emphasis focused on politics and systematic policies. Her greatest concentration revolved around food consumption and practices in our current society and global market place. Now, Deanna is a busy and blessed mom of two. She has fueled her love for research and food into her family by making and providing conscientious and healthy options for her family and local community. At this time, Deanna is also a board member at her local food co-op where she contributes articles written for parents and works to network and empower local food growers and community members to provide sustainable and locally grown foods for their community. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, gardening, horses, and anything that allows for fun outdoors (with the exception of high places...eek)!
Brent Lee - Senior Staff Writer
Brent and his dog Steve live in Eagan where they spend their time eating, sleeping and getting into adventures. Apart from the brutal, inhumane winters, they are both convinced Minnesota is a top five global destination. Brent is happiest when he is playing football, laughing, discussing philosophy, eating Chipotle, watching anything Larry David created, doing funny character voices while reading children's books to his two little nieces, or writing about whatever happens to cross his mind, unapologetically stretching sentence length and comma usage as far as the editor will allow. Also, Brent's nemesis is Burt Reynolds, though Mr. Reynolds is likely unaware of this rivalry.
Troy Larson - Staff Writer
Troy has never seen a baseball game, but he’s a baseball fan. The fact he’s blind and hears with a cochlear implant hasn’t stopped him from following his favorite team, the Minnesota Twins. Not only that, but he’s a walking encyclopedia of baseball history. He can tell you who won every World Series since 1920. A life long resident of Burnsville, he holds a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He is following his passion in radio broadcasting by hosting a weekly Minnesota Twins Podcast called Troy’s Twins Chat. Although baseball is Troy’s biggest passion, he will also write about the many other topics that interest him.
Matt Eckholm - Staff Writer
Matt Eckholm is a filmmaker and writer. His short films have played in film festivals nationwide, and his music video work for Swiss band Howlong Wolf has been seen around the world. He played Sim City as a kid once, developed a deep seated desire to see urban spaces designed better, and now is doomed to have the least interesting anecdotes to share at parties. To satisfy that need, he is a regular contributor and editorial council member for streets.mn. He lives in St. Louis Park with his wife Jacquelyn, Norwegian Elkhound Sonya, and black cat Sabrina.
