Meet Laura

A Visionary Leader for Minnesota

As the youngest of 8 children (including 6 brothers and 1 sister), Laura Brod knows the value of strong families and strong communities. When she was 5 years old, Laura’s family moved to a farm near Lonsdale and then moved to Cedar Lake near New Prague years later. Laura still talks about the stories of her childhood on the farm and how that experience has helped shape her views and actions today. Many of Laura’s family, including her parents James and Janet Morris and in-laws Jim and Theresa Brod, reside in the area and are active members of the community.

Laura graduated from New Prague High School in 1990 and the University of Minnesota in 1993. After her 1994 marriage to her high school sweetheart, Wade Brod, Laura completed a degree in Urban and Regional Studies/Management at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Recognizing the community of character and their value of family, Wade and Laura decided to stay in New Prague to raise their children, James and Camille. Laura ran for and was elected to the New Prague City Council in 1998 and she also served on the New Prague Economic Development Authority and the New Prague Utilities Commission. She served on term before her election to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2002 in District 25A.

As a small business owner, Laura knows first hand the challenges which face the main street businesses in our area. She understands the need to keep our economy strong so that good paying jobs for families are available in the area.

Laura is known for her hard work and energy. She is a tireless advocate for our area and is known as a forward thinking leader who has a positive vision for our area and our state.

---

Laura Brod — A Recognized Leader

• Named "Republican Freshman of the Year” by Politics in Minnesota
• Called one of the "emerging leaders in the Midwest" by Midwest Legislative Conference
• Targeted as "One to Watch” in Minnesota Politics by Minnesota Law and Politics
• Identified as one of "the very best, brightest, and most promising members of America's emerging political leadership" as one of only 24 young leaders selected by the Aspen Institute across the nation who "represent the best hope for America's future-upcoming leaders committed to working together for the common good."

Elected Office

Minnesota House of Representatives, Assistant Minority Leader

Elected 2002, 2004, 2006

Committees:

• Health Policy and Reform Committee (Republican lead)
• Healthcare Finance
• Tax Committee
• Government Operations, Technology, Elections and Reform Committee

Representative Brod has taken an active role in legislative organizations and serves on the Governing Board for the Council of State Governments, is an Executive Board member of the Midwest Legislative Conference, and is a Steering Committee member for the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development.

Occupation – Small Business Owner

Main Street Appraisal, Inc

OCI, Organizational Culture Insights

Educational Background

M.A., Minnesota State University, Mankato; 1998

• Urban and Regional Studies / Urban Management

B.A., Summa Cum Laude, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; 1993

• Member of Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society
• Geography (Major), Russian Area Studies (Minor)

New Prague High School, 1990

Recent Activities / Honors / Leadership Training

• Arlington Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Board of Directors
• Toll Fellow, Council of State Governments
• Awarded Aspen-Rodel Fellowship, Aspen Institute
• Awarded German Marshall Fellowship
• Participated in Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development Fellowship, 2003
• Named “Republican Freshman Representative of the Year 2003” by Politics in Minnesota, Minnesota’s leading bi-partisan political magazine
• American Council of Young Political Leaders Delegate to Turkey, 2003
• Blandin Community Leadership Foundation Participant
• New Prague City Councilmember 1998–2002
• Czech Area Development Committee member
• Member of 5 local Chambers of Commerce
• Arlington Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Board of Directors
• Toll Fellow, Council of State Governments 200
• Aspen-Rodel Fellow, Aspen Institute