Port Commissioner Lowell Hellervik

PDI Personnel Decisions International, Minneapolis, Minn., Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Lowell Hellervik, Ph.D., was in April 2007 appointed a Duluth Seaway Port Authority Commissioner by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. He succeeds Thomas E. Cashman, who was appointed by Governor Jesse Ventura in February 2001. Cashman, a native of Mankato, is president of Feed Service Company, Inc., and executive vice president of the Northwest Agri-Dealers Association, both of Mankato. Hellervik began his career at PDI in 1967, was named President in 1975, and became Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in 1989.

A professional Industrial/Organizational Psychologist, Hellervik devotes his energy to succession consulting, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness consulting. His work involves helping executives clarify objectives for organizational change, then designing and executing a process to achieve their objectives. Hellervik completed his Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota, where he is currently on the adjunct staff as a Clinical Associate Professor. He and PDI have also endowed several academic chairs at the U of M. In addition to his multiple professional contributions, Hellervik is an entrepreneur and business leader. Under his direction, PDI has grown from a small, local consulting firm to a premier, international consulting firm with 30 operating offices around the world.

The Duluth Seaway Port Authority promotes international and domestic waterborne commerce in the port district, owns port and industrial properties and acquires and constructs port facilities. The Port Authority's seven-member board is made up of six-year appointees, three by the Duluth City Council, two by the governor and two by the St. Louis County Board. Other board members are Bill Kron, Duluth, president; Steve Raukar, Hibbing, vice president; Janet E. Nelson, Duluth, secretary; Thomas A. Clure, Duluth, treasurer; Cal Larson, Fergus Falls, assistant treasurer, and Ray Klosowski, Duluth.