House 1993-2002 (District 16A); House 2003-2005 (District 15B)
Party when first elected: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Counties Served:
Benton, Sherburne, Stearns
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Date of Birth:
7/23/1952
Birth Place:
Birth County:
Birth Country:
Date of Death:
Gender:
Male
Religion:
Catholic
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names:
Joe
City of Residence (when first elected):
Saint Cloud
Occupation (when first elected):
University Administrator, St. Cloud State University
EDUCATION
St. Cloud Cathedral High School; Secondary;
St. Cloud State University; B.A.; Psychology
Kent State University; M.Ed.; Education, Counseling and Student Personnel
University of Minnesota; Ph.D.; Education, Higher Education Studies
OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE
State Board/Commission/Council:
Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Minnesota (Interim Executive Dean and Dean of Instructional Programs);
[Dates Unknown]
State Board/Commission/Council:
St. Cloud State University, Minnesota (Vice-President for Academic Affairs);
[Dates Unknown]
State Board/Commission/Council:
Central Lakes College, Brainerd, Minnesota (Vice-President for Academic and Student Affairs);
200? to 2007
State Board/Commission/Council:
Central Lakes College, Brainerd, Minnesota (Interim President);
2005 to 2006
State Board/Commission/Council:
Normandale Community College, Bloomington, Minnesota (President);
09/17/2007 to 20??
[Appointed]
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Spouse:
Single (when first elected); Pamela Steckman (first listed in 1995)
Children:
Two children: Simon and Sophia
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
GENERAL NOTES
He attempted to run for the Saint Cloud City Council in 1972 but was considered too young at the age of 19. He appealed the age restriction to the United States Supreme Court in Joseph Paul Opatz by Leona Katherine Dlugosch, his Guardian Ad Litem, v. City of St. Cloud. He lost the case.
He was the second of ten children.
Religion provided by Politics in Minnesota the Directory, 2005-2006.