John Anderson:
CLASS OF 1965
Penfield High SchoolClass of 1965
Penfield, NY
Mankato State UniversityClass of 1974
Mankato, MN
Bethany Lutheran CollegeClass of 1967
Mankato, MN
John's Story
Life
Life After Penfield High.
Tried JC but it didn't work out. Was drafted and did my time in the Army. Went back to college in Minnesota and received BA and MA degrees. Got involved in anti-war activities, community organizing and public service. I have worked in non-profit, county and state positions. I am now ready to retire.
My Spouse is a systems consultant on the left coast and gets home most week-ends. It's not that she misses me all that much. It's all about the grand-kids.
Speaking of kids, all our kids have grown and have families of their own. We have 3 kids and 5 grandkids
Prior to retirement, my Job was budget and administrative manager for the Minnesota Department of Human Services. As a public fiscal/policy analyst it is interesting and anything but routine. The downside was during legislative session. Hopefully the politcians will come to their senses prior to my retirement. Note...It did not happen. Politicians became wackier as the right wing took over.
My hobbies include music collecting (live shows) and volunteer web and eMail work for the 60's San Francisco psychedelic band..."It's A Beautiful Day". I also have a web site for classic rock music aficianados. Just google JWs Rock Garden. There you will find I have a number of great concerts on CD and a few videos as well. Plus if you are into politics, I have opinions on just about any issue. After all, there is another war going on.
I have published a few articles over the years and in this past year I, and a number of others, were asked by the former president of Minnesota State University to contribute to a book he was writing on how we all survivied during the crisis in education and anti-war activity on college campuses during the late 60's and early 70's. So I contributed to Dr. James F Nickerson's book..."Out Of Chaos". It was fun to search my recollection and contribute as well as take part in book signings.
I still do volunteer work for the developmentally disabled and am an officer in the local Democratic Party and have been a member of Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) since 1971 and also am a member of Veterans for Peace (VFP).
Here is an article written about me just prior to retriring from the State of Minnesota.
John W. Anderson, Children and Family Services (CFS) budget and administration manager, will retire this week after 27 years of service at DHS and nearly a decade at other human services agencies. Anderson has been responsible for managing and tracking the CFS operational and biennial budgets and was instrumental in developing and maintaining the formats that the administration uses to analyze its budget. In retirement, Anderson is planning a move to California and looks forward to spending more time with his wife and grandchildren.
Name: John W. Anderson
Position: Children and Family Services budget and administration manager
Location: Management Operations, Children and F...Expand for more
amily Services, 444 Lafayette, second floor south
Retirement date: Nov. 9, 2010
Background: Early in life Anderson enlisted in the U.S. Army. He then attended Mankato State University, (now Minnesota State University, Mankato) where he received dual bachelorÃÂs degrees in history and urban studies, and went on to earn a masterÃÂs degree in human services planning and administration. He began his professional career in 1975, working for Chemical Dependency Services in Rochester, Minnesota. Before coming to DHS in 1984, he worked for Olmsted County, the Minnesota Crime Control Planning Board and Scott County. At DHS, Anderson has worked in Rules and Regulations, the Deputy Commissioner's Office, the Budget Analysis Division and, most recently, in Children and Family Services (CFS).
Describe the work done in your most recent position.
Mainly I am responsible for managing and tracking the CFS operational and biennial budgets. This entails working closely with the assistant commissioner and division directors. Also, once budgets have been developed and approved, I have a lead role in monitoring and reporting on the status of all personnel and non-personnel budgets under the auspices of CFS.
Describe projects or accomplishments you're most proud of.
Because I've worked at DHS a long time, answering this question is a bit difficult. However, if I were to choose a few projects, I would include being involved with the first Budget Analysis Division at DHS in the mid-1980s. Another area I enjoyed was being chosen as a DHS representative to staff the Governor'ÃÂs Blue Ribbon Commission on the Minnesota State Veterans Home in 1987 and 1988. In CFS, I can say I have been instrumental in developing and maintaining the formats that CFS uses to analyze the administration's budget. The status is now updated twice a month and reports are generated on a monthly basis. Under this process, CFS managers can determine, in almost real time, what kind of adjustments need to be made during the year.
What will you miss most about working at DHS?
Like every soon-to-be retired DHS employee, I will miss the people. I have made many friendships at DHS, some of which will last a lifetime. While the department is much larger than when I started in 1984, and employees have come and gone, it has been an honor to work with the dedicated staff of DHS. This place leaves me with many memories, some good, some not, but I will never forget the people or my time here.
When I retire, I plan to...
Do many things I did not have time for. For instance, I plan to move to northern California where my wife, Barb, is currently working. We plan on traveling more and spending more quality time with the grandchildren. Personally, I'ÃÂm planning on keeping my website up to date, and finally putting my history degree to good use by doing ancestral research and writing a book on West Indies privateers and piracy in the 17th and 18th centuries.
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