President Ken Schaefer called the hybrid meeting of the 117 th Year of Rotary Club of Saint Paul
to order. Ken described Rotary in a nutshell: Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors,
friends, and leaders who volunteer their skills and resources to solve issues and address
community needs. Its projects include Polio eradication, water systems, education, foreign
exchange students and more! And New for Saint Paul in 2026 – Red, White and Boom!
Fireworks.
Ken thanked the support team: Sherry Howe, Helen Wagner, Lynne Beck, Rob Thomas, Matt
Magers, Michael-jon Pease, and Melissa Musliner. He thanked everyone for joining us.
Melissa Musliner introduced visiting Rotarians and guests. We were fortunate to have a number
of guests for the meeting. Michael-jon Pease provided an Inspirational Minute (about what?) and
led us in the 4-Way Test.
Ken Schaefer introduced the speaker Jamie Rand from the Downtown Revival. Trust. His topic was
“Why I Am Investing in Downtown St. Paul and Why I Believe Its Best Days Are Still Ahead.”
Jamie Rand is the Founder and Senior Managing Director of Prime Asset Fund, based in Tampa
Florida. Throughout his career, Jamie has built and managed real estate investment platforms
focused on acquiring. financing, operating, restructuring, and disposing of real estate assets
across multiple market cycles. Jamie’s current investment focus includes distressed debt, real-
estate-backed lending, adaptive reuse, commercial real estate repositioning, and the acquisition
and revitalization of underused real estate assets. He is working on the project in downtown St.
Paul involved in efforts to preserve, reposition, and reactivate historic commercial buildings for
long-term community and economic benefit.
Jamie talked about how he is working with partners like the Downtown Alliance, universities
and colleges to revitalize some vacant buildings in St. Paul. These projects involve efforts to
preserve, reposition, and reactivate historic commercial buildings for long-term community and
economic benefit. He emphasized that he preserves the original character of buildings without
reinventing them. The projects will also benefit the city by attracting high-paying labor union
jobs and bringing more revenue to St. Paul.
Melissa Musliner asked for Happy Dollars. Al Zdrazil has a ticket for tonight’s Minnesota
United game for someone who wants to attend. Christoper Taykalo is in the Fringe Festival show
A Real Piece of Work at the Theater in the Round and invited everyone to attend. Shelley Ruck
loves the positive attitude of the Spirit of Saint Paul. Linda Mulhern visited her host mother from
when she was an exchange student in Sweden. She attended her 86-year husband’s funeral.
Ken Schaefer closed the meeting with a list of upcoming events and meetings.
