Neil Johnson was born and raised near Bemidji Minnesota in the sprawling metropolis of Debs (population eight). He spent his childhood summers in Northwest Wisconsin fishing and sipping his uncle's homemade root beer. As a young man growing up in the north woods, he learned the value of hard work while cutting wood, mowing lawns, and delivering papers. Neil moved to St. Paul in 1994 and began working in the corporate training industry, eventually becoming a director of sales. Neil's experience in the field of professional development allowed him to work with and learn from some of the best minds in the business world. During that time he gave group presentations to over one thousand organizations, including Farmers Insurance, Wells Fargo, 3M, and Clear Channel. As an avid reader and a gifted writer, Neil loves a compelling story and has written several articles on faith and family, as well as the people and places of Minnesota. Neil currently resides in Hibbing, MN with his lovely wife Lora and their six young children.