• Joel Paulsen was hired as the first Executive Director after a nation-wide search was conducted.
• Paulsen started on Sept. 3, 2019.
• He has almost 20 years of experience in engineering, civil works and traffic related projects.
• Previously, he was an engineer and Office Leader for Stantec Engineering. He has worked on projects from utility replacements, transportation improvements, levee systems, and community planning.
• Paulsen served on the Moorhead City Council and was appointed by Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton to the Governors’ Task Force in 2018. As a member of the Task Force, Paulsen was one of 16 local residents and experts asked to find solutions to achieve permanent flood protection for Fargo, Moorhead and the surrounding communities.
• Paulsen grew up in Moorhead, MN and received a Civil Engineering degree from North Dakota State University. He has a wife and four children.

The Diversion Authority has officially hired Joel Paulsen as the first Executive Director for the FM Area Diversion Project in August of 2019.

Paulsen is scheduled to begin on September 3, 2019. He was offered the position in late July after a unanimous vote from the Board.

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• Licensed Professional Engineer
• Certified FEMA Floodplain Manager
• Certified Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan Designer, University of Minnesota
• Minnesota Department of Transportation Certified Technician: Grading & Base
• National Society of Professional Engineers: Member in Minnesota
• Vice President of Engineers Without Borders: Red River Valley Professionals
• Marshall Memorial Fellow: German Marshall Fund (GMF) of the United States