Frank Pafko, age 68, is married with 2 children and 6 grandchildren. Raised in south Minneapolis and a resident of Richfield for 40 years. Received a Bachelors of Science in Fisheries degree from the University of Minnesota in 1975.
Frank worked two years for the MN Department of Natural Resources and 34 years for the MN Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Mostly working in the environmental field, he was the first non-engineer in MnDOT to be appointed to manage a highway project development program as Metro North Area Manager (2001-2005). Notable projects were:
In 2012, Frank retired as Chief Environmental Officer for MnDOT. Accomplishments included development of MnDOT’s wetland banking program and obtaining environmental clearances for the replacement of the I35W Mississippi River Bridge in nine days.
Since 2013, he has been commenting on Twin Cities transportation issues, as the Transportation Tsar on the Up and at ‘Em radio show and podcast.
He attends and volunteers at St. Michaels Lutheran Church in Bloomington.
