New County Administrator Jeffrey Cadwell
A trophy-sized replica of a muskie rests on its side in Jeffrey Cadwell’s office. It’s a thing of beauty and will be mounted soon, but really, there is a lot more on Cadwell’s plate than his very large, very beautiful Fiberglas fish.
“I bought a house here in town and I sold a house in Mahnomen. All in the last two months. It’s been a very hectic time,” said Cadwell, Cook County’s newest county administrator.
Ca dwe l l started work on June 29, and will spend time getting to know the county, the staff, learn the issues and concerns that surround the area, and, he said, “hopefully sit back and listen and learn the background of the topics of concern.”
He said, “I don’t have a magic wand to wave around and fix things. But one thing I do know, problems that Cook County faces aren’t different from problems other counties face. People are people and come at ideas with different points of view.”
Cadwell is replacing the late Jay Kieft who was taken by cancer after one year in the county administrator position.
When asked what attracted him to the North Shore, Cadwell replied, “What drew me from the prairie to the woods? Well, I have always been attracted to and loved this area. When I was offered the job it just felt so right. I have already found that most people love and want to protect the area but have still created opportunities to work here.”
In Cadwell’s free time he likes to run, bike, swim, fish, and do triathlons. “I feel well suited to this area. I also have been learning about the trails here, and I will probably take up cross country and downhill skiing in the winter,” he said.
Cadwell has run one marathon, Grandma’s Marathon in 2014. He has also run several half marathons with a PR of 1:53 and competed in several triathlons.
With three dogs, a cat and a significant other who will be moving here soon, a new job and a new set of challenges before him, Cadwell is a happy man. “I always wanted to be in public administration. That’s what I got my master’s degree in 15 years ago, and it’s only been in the last five years I have been in that service. I have no wish to rise up the ladder beyond this. I feel this is where I should be.”
As far as the job, Cadwell said, “There is no end to the opportunities here. My job is to be a public servant, to provide services to people who are also going to be my neighbors, and to impact their life in a meaningful way.”
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