John Decausemaker on Minnesota Now

One of the first things Wild fans hear when they get to a Wild game is John Decausemaker belting out “The Star-Spangled Banner.” He’s known for that high range, which can be difficult to hit. On this episode, he talks with Minnesota Now host Cathy Wurzer about his career and his current gig.

Early Life and Education

A person’s early years are critical to their development. Their brains develop faster than at any other time of life, and the foundations for their social skills, self-esteem and perception of the world are established during this period.

However, many factors influence a child’s development, such as their environment and genetics. That’s why early childhood education is so important.

Despite the importance of this time, many countries still struggle to ensure children get the best start in life. That’s why it’s essential for public health agencies and governments to make the most of this window of opportunity by implementing evidence-based programs that improve outcomes.

The Early Childhood program at Northwest focuses on preparing childhood teachers, decision-makers and leaders to create learning opportunities that enhance the wellbeing of children and families. Students gain field experiences in the Phyllis and Richard Leet Center and Horace Mann Laboratory School as well as partnering community settings.

Professional Career

Despite being a bit of a jack of all trades at times, he is best known for his leadership and organizational capabilities, not to mention his unyielding commitment to helping out mates at the drop of a hat. He has racked up several prestigious accolades, not to mention a few high jinks in the form of the wrong sort. Most notably, he has been named a member of the executive board, tasked with ensuring the smooth running of the organization. During his tenure, he has been at the forefront of several transformational changes, including the introduction of new organizational structures and processes in the guise of a reorganization. More so, he has been instrumental in establishing new standards of excellence across the enterprise. More specifically, he has played a central role in the implementation of an improved standard of service, better employee retention, and improved communication channels. He is also credited with being responsible for the creation of an impressive number of innovations that will be rolled out in a phased manner, the most important being an improved customer experience and a more efficient service delivery model to boot.

Personal Life

As an engineer, DeCausemaker has a strong passion for science. He believes that open source software is essential for building a movement toward equality. He also loves teaching. He often works with children on campus at RIT. Through his workshops, he hopes to change the way they perceive scientists. He is a great role model for young people. Decausemaker is 53 years old, and lives with his wife in Hawthorne, NJ. He is estimated to have a net worth of $25-34K.