Gene Kay

Hennepin County Board Appointee

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners appointed Gene Kay to the Three Rivers Park District Board in 2015 and reappointed him in 2019. He studied forestry and geology before changing to the health sciences and earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in health and fitness. Gene is a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and is a Certified Professional Ergonomist.

His professional career has involved working in health promotion, physical rehabilitation, and health and safety. He developed an ergonomics consulting and self-help software that helps organizations to improve workplace wellness while reducing injury and expense. Gene is a regular speaker at regional and national conferences. He lives in Plymouth.

Gene is an outdoor enthusiast and has been involved in silent sports since childhood. He has hiked and bike toured throughout New England, the Northern Rockies and Europe, and he has spent months trekking in remote east Africa. He and his family are active in downhill and cross-country skiing, running, biking, hiking, and canoeing. 

He is an accomplished multi-sport athlete, a certified ski coach and a personal trainer. He has completed dozens of ski marathons including the Birkebeiner, and he has coached aspiring skiers at youth, high school, and masters levels.

Favorite place in Three Rivers Park District

As a frequent park visitor, it’s hard for me to pick a single favorite park or trail, so here are my seasonal bests:
Fall — mountain biking at Elm Creek, Lake Rebecca or Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserves.
Summer — rollerskiing the paved trails at Baker or Lake Rebecca Park Reserves.
Winter/spring — cross-country skiing at Baker Park Reserve. 

Gene’s term expires December 31, 2022.