Wayne joined the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota team in September 2026. Wayne was raised in Cherry and received a Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Administration from Hibbing Community College as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. He brings a decade of experience in the financial services industry, spending most of the past decade working in business development and consulting supporting local, national, and global economic development efforts. He currently hold multiple cross sector roles for natural resources technology companies and business development and feels moving our region forward requires focusing on opportunities for growth. "Fundamentally for us to be successful as a whole, we need to solidify our base," he said. "UWNEMN, among others, have been doing this for a long time. If my experience can support the organization in resolving the issues our communities face, I will continue to serve to my best ability."