McCarthy Family Habitat Forever
An Historic Farmland Preservation Project for a 4th Generation Minnesota Family
Board of Directors
The McCarthy Family Habitat Forever Foundation's Board of Directors was hand picked by Patrick McCarthy for its member's friendship, collaboration and solidarity with him. Collectively, the McCarthy Family Habitat Forever Foundation Board has a combined total of 120 years of working with Patrick to ensure the realization of his vision for the enduring legacy of the McCarthy Family Farm.
Ryan Stanton - President
Over 25 year working relationship and friendship with Patrick McCarthy. Ryan's father was a still longer long-time friend of Patrick.
Acted as trusted confidant to whom Patrick granted power of attorney during the last year of Patrick's life.
Education
Bachelor of Science (Construction Management) in 1996 from Mankato State University in Mankato, MN
Masters of Financial Mathematics in 2015 From University of Minnesota School of Mathematics
Managing partner of T&J Stanton Family Limited Partnership which oversees the transition of assets from estates and trusts to a functioning family partnership
Co-managed multibillion dollar mortgage securitization portfolio under Incenter Mortgage Solutions
Owner of MetX Companies – an excavation company and licensed sewer contractor
Lee Markell - Vice President, Treasurer
Met and became friends with Patrick in 2016.
Has four decades of experience protecting farmland and natural areas for state and local governments as well as for non-profit organizations.
These include the Nature Conservancy, Friends of the Mississippi River, the Minnesota DNR, and Dakota County.
Has played a key role in preserving the McCarthy Farm site in a rapidly developing suburban area.
Facilitated numerous land donations for conservation, ranging in size from a few acres up to 280 acres.
Negotiated and closed dozens of fee title land acquisitions and conservation easements, many of which were valued at more than $1.5 million. Lands acquired became State of Minnesota Wildlife Management Areas and Scientific and Natural Areas in both rural and urban Minnesota.
Secured numerous financial gifts to the MNDNR totaling tens of thousands of dollars. Gifts were directed primarily towards wetland restoration and wildlife observation areas.
Worked in both the public and private sectors providing planning, design, and construction supervision for state park visitor centers, trails, boat landings, and wetland restorations.
Registered Landscape Architect (MN Reg. #19,313) with more than 35 years of experience in site planning, detail design, land protection, and landscape restoration.
Bachelor of Science (Landscape Design) in 1973 from South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD.
Served on the City of Eagan Advisory Parks Commission from 1991 - 1999, serving as chair from 1995 to 1999.
Current board member of Eagan's Friends of Holz Farm, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Maintains a flock of laying hens at Holz Farm since 1996.
Jack G. Conrad - Secretary
Eagan resident for three decades
Became friends with Patrick in 2001, when Eagan's City Council contemplated acquiring the farm and neighboring Patrick Eagan Park for an executive golf course
Jack and Patrick became allies in the fight against the City's proposal to develop the farm and neighboring park
During this time, Patrick would also allow Jack's pre-school daughter to help him feed his pigs and cow, as well as allow her to play with his kittens
Co-Chair of Friends of the Eagan Core Greenway since 2003
Director of Applied Research at Thomson Research
30 years of experience in Artificial Intelligence: information retrieval, natural language processing, machine learning, data mining, data clustering
Graduate degrees in
Computer Science from the Univ. of Massachusetts – Amherst
Linguistics from the Univ. of British Columbia – Vancouver
Past President of the International Association for Artificial Intelligence and Law (IAAIL.org)
Have organized and lead numerous workshops in the field at International Conferences
50 peer reviewed publications in technical journals, conference proceedings and workshops
9 U.S. patents
Katherine Guthrie - Member-at-Large
Eagan resident for three decades
Katherine and husband John developed an endearing friendship with Patrick in 2001
They invited Patrick to join their family's Thanksgiving table for a number of years
John served as Co-Chair of Friends of the Eagan Core Greenway since 2003
Faculty physician with Allina United Family Medicine since 1994
Rural family doctor from 1979 through 1993
Served as Patrick's health care representative for his Health Care Directive
Margo Danner - Member-at-Large
Eagan resident since 1965
22 year working relationship and friendship with Patrick McCarthy
Past President of Eagan Lioness Club
Member of Eagan Lions/Lionesses for 25 years
Continues to serve on Board
Past member of the Eagan Parks Commission (2001-2007)
Member of Eagan Committee to identify park land for Eagan Community Center
Board Member
Eagan Foundation
Eagan Beyond the Yellow Ribbon
Eagan Visitor Bureau
Eagan 4th of July Committee
Eagan Senior Center
Dakota County Living Longer & Stronger
Past Eagan City Council candidate
Eagan Election Judge
Eagan Open Door Food Shelf Charter member
Caponi Art Park volunteer
Dakota County Farmland Committee member
Involved in the design, development and fundraising for the Eagan Memorial Tribute (2010 -- for Military, Police and Fire depts.)
Long-time member of Friends of the Eagan Core Greenway
Initially the Patrick Eagan Park Preservation Committee
Forged an enduring and trusting relationship with Patrick regarding the McCarthy farm, the preservation of his land, and its protection from the City and its possible use of eminent domain
Dan Mason - Member-at-Large
20 year working relationship and friendship with Patrick McCarthy
A retired Eagan Police Officer
Served with the Eagan Police Department for 31 1/2 years
Patrol Sergeant (2004-2017)
Firearms instructor (2002-2017)
Served as a Community Service Officer for 1 year
Served on the Secret Santa Committee for underprivileged children in Dakota County
Provided safe firearm instruction to adolescents for 15 years
Volunteered with Feed My Starving Children (FMSC)
Served as liaison for City of Eagan for migrant farmers at the Patrick McCarthy Farm
See photo
Served as a point of contact between Patrick McCarthy and the Eagan Police
Watched over Patrick's farm and discussed issues with him when he faced challenges with various municipalities
B.S. Degree from Saint Mary's University
Plus a two-year degree in Law Enforcement