Gary Dahms Bio - Dahms for Minnesota Senate

Gary Dahms

Minnesota Senator

I was born and raised in Clements, Minnesota and graduated from Redwood Falls High School. I attended the University of Minnesota where I earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business administration. I am also a graduate of the Blandin Community Leadership Program.

I owned and operated Dahms Insurance Agency for 25 years. I turned my appreciation for my community into a lifelong dedication of service and volunteerism. As President of the Redwood Area Education Foundation, I was responsible for a fundraising campaign to re-establish agricultural education in the Redwood Area Schools and continue to support the program through my leadership in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Alumni Association.

Pronunciation
DAMES

Married
Spouse Barb, 2 children, 2 grandchildren

Occupation
Former business owner, insurance agent, and former county commissioner

Education
BS, Agricultural Business Administration, University of Minnesota

Elected
2010

Special Legislative Concerns
Budget, taxes, jobs, economic development

I live in Redwood Falls with my wife of 48 years, Barb. We have two grown children, Michelle (Byron) and Michael; and two grandchildren. We are also active members of the First United Methodist Church in Redwood Falls.

Committees

Commerce and Consumer Protection, Chair
Ag Finance and Policy Committee, Vice-Chair
Finance and Housing Policy
Capital Investment (Bonding) Committee

Past Co-majority whip
Republican Rural Caucus
· Past Caucus co-chair
Past Assistant Majority Leader
· Republican Senate Caucus

Recognitions Received

2022 Housing Leadership Award
2022 Minnesota Public Television “Good Neighbor” Award
2022 Big I Minnesota Legislator of the Year Award
2019 University of Minnesota – College of Food, Agriculture, and National Resource Sciences (CFANS), Distinguished Alumni
2019 Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA), Legislator of Distinction
2019, 2018 League of Minnesota Cities, Legislator of Distinction
2019, 2018 Minnesota Federation of County Fairs (MFCF), Friend of County Fairs
2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2016 National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), Guardian of Small Businesses

2018 Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association (MLBA), Elected Official of the Year
2018 Manufactured and Modular Housing Association of Minnesota (MMHA), Friend of Affordable Housing
2017 National FFA Association, Honorary American FFA Degree
2016 Minnesota Association of Agriculture Educators (MAAE), Bellringer Award
2016 Alpha Gamma Rho – Lambda Chapter, Man of the Year
2015 Minnesota FFA Association, Hall of Fame
2013 Minnesota FFA Association, Honorary State FFA Degree

Broad Base of Experience

My broad base of experience is evidenced by my service on many boards:

Redwood County Board of Commissioners
Redwood Area Education Foundation
Redwood County Agricultural Society
Redwood Area FFA Alumni Association
Redwood County Extension Committee
Redwood Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Board
Redwood Area Development Corporation

Redwood County Economic Development Association
Redwood County Soil and Water Conservation District
Southwest Minnesota Regional Development Commission
Minnesota Valley Rail Authority
Service Enterprises Inc.
Redwood/Renville Health Services Board
Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI)

Commissions

Legislative Coordinating Commission (LCC)

Legislative Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR)

Boards and Councils

Council of State Governments (CSG)
· Economic Development Committee
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
· Natural Resources and Infrastructure Committee
Minnesota Agriculture Education Leadership Council (MAELC)

Minnesota Indian Affairs Council
National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL)
· Executive Committee
· Life Insurance and Financial Planning Committee
· Property and Casualty Committee

Gary Dahms for Minnesota Senate

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