HomeMy WebLinkAboutQ1 2022 RetirementsContact: Brittany Bader, Digital Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0396 • BBader@EdinaMN.gov • EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Two Retire from City of Edina in Early 2022
Edina, Minn., May 6, 2022 – Two staff members retired from the City of Edina in the first quarter of 2022: Mike Hughes from the Fire Department and Gunnar Kaasa from the Public Works
Department. Both were with the City for more than 15 years.
Mike Hughes retired as a Paramedic/Firefighter and Fire Inspector Jan. 4 after more than 21 years of serving the Edina community. He said his position made him feel like "the luckiest
person in the world" for being able to help people. Fire Chief Andrew Slama says Hughes was known for the quality of patient care he provided and his compassion throughout every emergency.
Hughes was also the paramedic representative on the regional EMS Council for 17 years, where he helped address issues for first responders at the local, regional and hospital levels.
“While Mike will be missed at the station, we are excited for the extra family time he will have in retirement,” said Slama.
Called an “instrumental” employee by Public Works Director Brian Olson, Gunnar Kaasa retired as Equipment Operations Supervisor Feb. 25 after more than 16 years with the City. Olson
says Kaasa improved the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the department's fleet maintenance program and researched and developed a replacement schedule for over $17 million worth
of equipment.
“Gunnar is already missed. Whenever there was a problem with a piece of equipment, Gunnar did a great job researching the alternatives and recommending a path forward that was both fiscally
sound and met our timelines for getting that piece of equipment back up and running. He paid attention to customer service and viewed all of the employees within the City as his customers,”
said Olson.
For more information about City staffing, contact the Human Resources Department at 952-927-8861. For a list of open positions, visit EdinaMN.gov/Jobs.
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