Title: CEO and chief manager, PawnAmerica
Age: 47
Home, family: Prior Lake, wife, two sons
Education: Minneapolis Lutheran High School, 1984; undergraduate studies at Augsburg College.
Work: Founded PawnAmerica in 1991 with first store in Robbinsdale. Now has 24 stores in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North and South Dakota.
Favorite charity: Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities
Most surprising pawned item: Vintage 1950s Fender Stratocaster guitar that was very valuable.
Would you consider opening on Thanksgiving?: There are already enough days in the holiday shopping season. Thanksgiving is for family.