The job of Park Commissioner is to develop policies and govern the use of parks.  I have spent my career as a civil engineer, the majority of which has been in the public sector acting in the role of steward of public assets.  As your commissioner I bring significant experience in water resources, governance and oversight, capital planning, and operations.  If you’d like to learn more about my professional background, please visit here.

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I’m a licensed professional engineer, working in water resources for the public sector. I am a University of Minnesota graduate, and I currently serve as Principal Civil Engineer at the University of Minnesota managing water resources including program management for the campus’s MS4 Stormwater Permit and Wetlands Conservation Act compliance for U lands throughout the state. Responsible public stewardship is very important to me!

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I live in Lynnhurst with my wife and three kids. My grandmother attended one of the first classes at Washburn until the Depression hit and her family moved to Chicago which is where I was born. I moved to Minnesota in elementary school, and I have called Minneapolis my home since 1985. Our daughter Harriet (named for the lake!) works for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and our kids attended Minneapolis Public Schools and MPRB’s Rec Plus program.

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​I walk, bike, and play pickleball in our parks as much as I can. Having access to nature and preserving our natural resources in the commons is arguably the best thing about Minneapolis.

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My last name is pronounced: ah-BEN-ne. That’s Italian!