Thom is almost a "native" Minnesotan. He moved to the Park Rapids Minnesota area from Fargo, ND, when he was only 3 years old. At that time his parents had just purchased the property near Lake George that they built and developed into one of the area's foremost tourist attractions, known as Val Chatel Ski Lodge.

Growing up and working in a family-owned business that included a ski resort, restaurant and hotel, provided Thom with the background ...