A Message From Our New Executive Director at Senior Connections: Brian Trettel
"I am excited to introduce myself to Senior Connections as the new Executive Director. My name is Brian Trettel, and I am honored to join an organization with such a strong commitment to supporting older adults in Douglas County.
Family is incredibly important to me, so I’ll start there. I have a wife, Addie, and a daughter, Ava, who are the loves of my life. We have lived in the area for over eight years and have come to deeply appreciate everything it offers—from the lakes and natural beauty to the strong sense of community. My wife works for the State of Minnesota as a Child Protection Trainer and is originally from Superior, where she still has family. My daughter is a junior at Denfeld High School and keeps us busy with volleyball and softball. When we can, we enjoy spending time together outdoors, especially fishing from our 18-foot 1984 Lund boat. It may not be new, but it has put plenty of fish in the boat and given us even more memories along the way.
A little about me personally—I am a “51-year-old kid” from central Minnesota. I enjoy fishing, golfing, and following sports closely. I’m especially loyal to my alma mater, St. Cloud State University hockey, and still try to catch as many games as I can. I also enjoy working on projects around our 1930s home, which always seems to have a list of things that need upgrading, fixing, or maintaining. I’ll admit I sometimes enjoy it more in hindsight than in the moment, but it always makes for a good story.
Professionally, I have over two decades of experience in leadership, operations, and community-based service organizations, with a strong focus on building relationships and strengthening programs that serve the public good. Most recently, I served in leadership roles within the YMCA, where I oversaw membership operations, community partnerships, staff development, and programming designed to increase access to health and wellness opportunities for individuals and families. My work has consistently focused on building strong teams, improving systems, and ensuring that mission-driven organizations remain both impactful and sustainable.
What drew me to Senior Connections is the opportunity to serve older adults in a meaningful and direct way. I am passionate about creating environments where people feel connected, supported, and valued. I look forward to learning from the community, working alongside the Board and staff, and continuing to strengthen the important services Senior Connections provides.
I am grateful for the opportunity to be here and excited for the work ahead.
