MnCCC Spotlight: Dylan Edwards
Gratitude in the Spotlight: Giving Thanks, MnCCC Style
In honor of the Thanksgiving season, MnCCC is highlighting a few Board members to express our gratitude for their contributions to our organization. This edition of Gratitude in the Spotlight features Dylan Edwards, Stearns County Digital Services Manager, who currently serves as Vice-Chair for the MnCCC Board. Dylan is a longtime member and supporter of MnCCC, and has been an active participant in and officer for both our Information Services and Human Services User Groups. We're grateful to have Dylan on the Board, and want to recognize his efforts by highlighting him below.
How did you get into your current role at Stearns County?
I worked my way up from Senior Technical Support Specialist to Technical Project Leader to Project Manager now to Digital Services Manager. I have a background in web and software development and graphic design that helped me get into my first position at Stearns County.
Where did you grow up? What was your first job?
I grew up all over the place, primarily bouncing between the Twin Cities (Apple Valley and Eagan) and New Ulm down in Brown County. My first job ever was washing dishes at Kaiserhoff, a German restaurant in New Ulm. My first job out of high school was at the Kraft Food plant in New Ulm.
What made you want to get involved with MnCCC?
Sharon Robinson from our Assessor's office said she wished someone from IT would get involved with ISSG, so I did!
What advice would you give to someone wanting to become more involved with MnCCC?
Start small, join a User Group. Volunteer for Recorder, Vice-Chair, or Chair positions as they come up. If you're going to attend the User Group meetings anyway, there isn't typically much more of a heavy lift for those positions.
What is a non-work skill you'd love to master? What is something unique most people may not know about you?
There are so many things I would love to master... If I had to pick one, it might be a foreign language, maybe German. One thing that people may not know about me, which is another skill I would love to master, but I have been crocheting and knitting since high school. I come from a long line of crafters. I definitely haven't mastered either, but I have sold some items at craft shows and over the last two years donated crocheted stuffed animals to silent auctions that made over $8,000.
What's on your bucket list?
I would love to visit Egypt. I have been obsessed with the history and architecture my whole life and just haven't gotten there yet. I have been close by visiting India, Oman, and Dubai. I'll get there one day!
Thank you, Dylan, for sharing some fun facts about you, and for your participation with the MnCCC Board. We are grateful for you!