Triplett honored with award for HRA commissioners

Pictured (L to R): Washington County Commissioners Karla Bigham, Gary Kriesel, and Lisa Weik, Tom Triplett, Washington County Commissioner Fran Miron, and Washington County CDA Executive Director Barbara Dacy

Tom Triplett, who served on the Washington County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) board from 2007 to 2015, was awarded the Conrad Rettmer Award for Commissioners in mid-September at the annual conference of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials.

The organization is a professional association with more than 280 member agencies and individuals, including elected officials and appointed commissioners. Triplett, of Stillwater, received the award for his commitment for contributing to his community, and his desire to help others succeed.

During his tenure on the HRA board, he worked on the Red Oak Preserve in Oakdale, TrailSide Senior Living in Forest Lake, and Red Rock Crossing in Newport. He also reviewed several workforce housing development requests. He also led the agency through a strategic planning process, which analyzed the economic and housing data that shapes key initiatives in force today.

Triplett’s involvement with the HRA was critical during the time when foreclosures and the recession were beginning to impact the county, and he supported the establishment of the foreclosure prevention and home buyer counseling program. He championed key partnerships with private sector and nonprofit organizations in delivering programs.

Triplett also led an effort in Scandia to establish an economic development authority and assisted the Marine on St. Croix Library and the county’s Library Board in its strategic planning effort.

Triplett has held a number of positions with the state, as well as private sector executive and consulting positions. He is president of Triplett Consulting, LLC, which helps nonprofits identify and evaluate alternative revenue streams, and is an adjunct faculty member at Opus College of Business, University of St. Thomas.