Sioux Falls City Council Candidate John Paulson’s ‘Corporate Administration’ experience

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I recently wrote a post about the council candidates favorite buzz word this election season, ‘Transparency’. A word that almost all of them are embracing except John Paulson. He likes the word ‘Positive’ better. So much that when he spoke at Democratic Forum this past Friday he said his only weakness is being ‘too positive’. I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, puke or tell Mike Huether to sit down.

Either way, I would like to talk about Paulson’s record on transparency so far in this race.

So a foot soldier says to me, “Did you know John’s office was in Vermillion?” I told them I was unaware of his working situation, but it seems odd to me that an executive with Sanford Health (based out of Sioux Falls) would have to drive to Verm town everyday to his office when he lived in Sioux Falls. Hope he drove a Prius. But I did find this bit of information when his retirement in 2015 was announced;

John Paulson, vice president for corporate administration, will retire after 4o years of experience in health care administration. Paulson joined the health system in 1987 as a system vice president. During the past three decades, he has served in a variety of roles for the organization, including foundation director, chief executive officer for Sanford Vermillion Medical Center and executive chief of staff. Most recently, Paulson has worked closely with the organization’s governing board of trustees.

Apparently John and his boss needed several miles between their cubicles. But my googles did find some other interesting ‘resume’ information, and the many hats he wore with Sioux Valley/Sanford over the years. In his announcement to the Argus he was running in October, he said this;

Paulson, who recently retired after 40 years in the health industry and most recently served as vice president for corporate administration at Sanford Health,

He served in this position for about 2 years after his co-worker, Mark Johnston got promoted (Mark’s resume below);

  • Vice President, Health Policy, Sanford and MeritCare Health System, 2013-present
  • Lieutenant Colonel, South Dakota Army National Guard, 1993-present
  • Vice President of Administration and Corporate Communication, Sanford and MeritCare Health System, 2007-2013
  • Press Secretary, South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds, 2002-2006

It seems that Mark Johnston held that position 6 years before Paulson got promoted to it according to this 2007 article;

The core of corporate activities that provide day to day support to the organization will remain under Kelby Krabbenhoft including: the Legal Department, Finance, Compliance and Human Resources. John Paulson will become Executive Chief of Staff to Mr. Krabbenhoft (2007) while Mark Johnston will assume the job of Vice President of Administration and coordinate the activities of Marketing, Public Affairs and Corporate Communications.

So is Paulson NOT being transparent about his resume? Not at all, he did retire as VP of Administration, that much is true. But doesn’t it seem odd that a guy who started his career 30 years ago with SV/Sanford as a VP had to take another 26 years to get promoted to a similar position within the organization? Talk about coming full circle.

Maybe I’m just being either to transparent, negative, or both. Good thing I’m not running for city council.

 

Elitist Sioux Falls City Council candidate, John Paulson rears his hissy-fit head

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2009 Ford E-Series Super Duty Ambulance Prep Package. (03/03/09)

Just because you used to work for a healthcare provider, doesn’t mean you can call the whaabulance whenever you want.

I knew it would only be a matter of time before one of the council candidates would have a public hissy fit over much to do about nothing, just never expected it to be John Paulson. I mean, this is the candidate who has been attending council meetings lately and usually uses the time to take naps. He must be getting public service advice from De Knudson (ironically he probably is).

Today the CVB had a membership meeting(?). CVB director Teri Ellis Schmidt invited council candidate Theresa Stehly to attend and gave her permission to speak during public input towards the end of the meeting. Theresa was unaware if there would be other candidates there, but appreciated the opportunity given to her by Teri to speak about her candidacy. John Paulson was the only other candidate to show.

Theresa went up at public input, introduced herself, talked about her community service (pushing for boulevard ordinance changes – snowgates), her endorsement from Kermit and his support of the CVB, etc. No bomb throwing of any kind.

Then John Paulson stands up and says, “That was out of line. I have nothing to say after that.”

She must have woken him up from his nap talking about actual policy and issues.

SF Largest Developer, A house divided in the At-Large Council seat

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Not sure if they are hedging bets in the executive offices of SF largest commercial developer on what candidate will come out on top, but the donations are interesting.

First the donation to John Paulson’s campaign (From the Chairman);

paulson-don

Now look at the donation’s to Ritch Noble’s campaign (From the President/CEO and VP of Commercial Real Estate);

ritchdon

Not sure if this was an attempt to butter both sides of the bread or not, but us government nerds who watch this stuff, found it interesting.

Retired Sanford Executive John Paulson to challenge Staggers

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I guess we are one step closer to be re-named Sanfordville. Not sure what John brings to the plate, but I guarantee his campaign will be very well-funded by the swishy-tishy in town.

And if you think a former Sanford executive will be looking out for the best interest of Joe Six-Pack in Sioux Falls, I have some rental property to sell you next to a Sanford Hospital parking lot.

Enough of former ‘executives’ in city government. They have only one mission, to butter the bread of their friends.

I heard Paulson was considering the run last week, but wasn’t sure when he would announce. But I also suspect that Staggers will have several challengers (I have heard two other names thrown out there considering the run).