New Commissioner and Dirctor
for Duluth Seaway Port Authority Board
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DULUTH, MINNESOTA - January 26, 2019 (LSN) Commissioner Michael “Mike” Jugovich was appointed by the St. Louis County (SLC) Board effective January 8, 2019. The Duluth Seaway Port Authority announced today that Grand Rapids native Jayson Hron has been named Director of Communications and Marketing. joins the leadership team effective February 1, 2019.
Commissioner Michael “Mike” Jugovich was appointed by the St. Louis County (SLC) Board to complete the remaining term of former Commissioner Pete Stauber on the Duluth Seaway Port Authority Board, effective January 8, 2019.
Jugovich has held many positions over the years. He is a retiree of the United Steelworkers of America, Local 2705, Hibbing Taconite Company. He finished his career as an equipment and warehouse manager in the agglomerating department. In 2000, Jugovich was elected to the Chisholm City Council, serving six years before being elected mayor in 2006. He served as mayor for a decade before being elected SLC Commissioner of the Seventh District in 2016. He was elected vice chair of the SLC Board in January 2019, and currently serves as chair of its Public Works and Transportation Committee.
A graduate of Chisholm High School, Jugovich attended Range Technical College, Hibbing Community College, and The College of St. Scholastica. He has given back to the Iron Range region through his work in several organizations, including the Chisholm Economic Development Authority, Youth in Action, Range Association of Municipalities and Schools, Chisholm-Hibbing Airport Authority, Governor’s Workforce Development Council, and the Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council. Commissioner Jugovich currently resides in Chisholm with his significant other, Melanie. Together, they have four adult children. His appointment to the Port Authority Board runs through Dec. 31, 2021.
The Duluth Seaway Port Authority is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners—two appointed by the Governor of Minnesota, two by the St. Louis County Board and three by the Duluth City Council.
The Duluth Seaway Port Authority announced today that Grand Rapids native Jayson Hron has been named Director of Communications and Marketing. He returns to Minnesota to join the leadership team effective February 1, 2019.
Hron (pronounced ‘RŌHN’), brings an extensive background to the position, having served in a variety of public relations, copywriting, media relations, brand management and marketing capacities. Since 2013, Hron has been a communications manager for USA Hockey in Colorado Springs, Colo. For eight years prior, he led communications efforts as senior public relations specialist in the financial services industry, for the ING Group in St. Cloud, Minn.
After beginning his career as a sportswriter, editor and page designer with Murphy McGinnis Newspapers, he served as communications director for the United States Hockey League and, later, assistant director of public relations in the athletics department at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), earning a pair of awards from the College Sports Information Directors of America.
“We are extremely pleased to welcome Jayson back to Minnesota and to our leadership team,” said Duluth Seaway Port Authority Executive Director Deb DeLuca. “The diversity of his expertise coupled with his passion for this community and northeastern Minnesota will be a huge asset not only in managing our strategic communications and branding initiatives but also in supporting the Port Authority’s industrial development plans going forward.”
In addition to his expertise in strategic communications, Hron’s skill sets include graphic design, video production and social media management. Since 1999, he also has been a freelance contributor to a number of media outlets including MinnPost.com, ESPN.com, St. Cloud Times, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Arizona Republic. A member of the Society for International Hockey Research board of directors, Hron has a bachelor’s degree in communication from UMD and a master’s in mass communications with a public relations and advertising emphasis from St. Cloud State University.
“My heart never left Duluth,” said Hron in accepting the position. “The Port Authority is uniquely equipped to help drive the economic growth, to define the future of northeastern Minnesota. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be part of an organization that helps the city thrive.”
In accepting the communications and marketing post at the Port Authority, Hron will succeed Adele Yorde, who has served the organization as public relations director since April 2008. Hron has volunteered at the Rocky Mountain Field Institute and the Care and Share Food Bank in southern Colorado. He also has been a volunteer coach for youth baseball, softball and lacrosse. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two daughters.