The Minneapolis Aquatennial Ambassador Organization (AAO) revealed the 2019 Aquatennial Commodore and Captains Thursday evening at the annual Commodore's Dinner. Ann Bailey, President of DARTS, will serve as the 2019 Aquatennial Commodore. She will be joined by Marjorie Weinhagen of Weinhagen Tires and Jackie Paul of 360 Communities as Captains. The AAO is thrilled to have this first all-female Ambassador team.
Aquatennial Commodore Ann Bailey
Ann Bailey is the President at DARTS, a non-profit committed to “creating connections that enrich aging.” Ann became familiar with DARTS when her father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis began to take its toll on the family, and she received a referral. In caring for Dad, Ann became passionate about the need to help older adults age well. Believing deeply in the DARTS mission --“creating connections that enrich aging” -- she joined the nonprofit’s Board in 2010. In 2015, Ann left her Target career (she was an IT leader) to lead DARTS as its President. She is honored that DARTS was recognized as the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit of the year in 2017.
Ann has provided board service for Fairview Hospitals Auxiliary, MN Chapter of Project Management Institute, and currently the River Heights Chamber of Commerce. She is an active member in the MN Leadership Council on Aging, Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce, South Robert Street Business Association, Twin Cities Aging Network and is a certified Dementia Friend.
Ann graduated from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities campus with Bachelor of Science in Business. She married her college sweetheart, Randy in 1991. They reside in Apple Valley where Randy demystified math and statistics for District 196 high school students, retiring after 25 years.The Baileys enjoy traveling, golfing, reading, and gathering friends together. Ann likes to cook, particularly when her little vegetable gardens are producing. She and Randy are aunt/uncle to six wonderful young people and honorary aunts/uncles to the neighborhood kids.
Captain Marjorie Weinhagen
Marjorie Weinhagen is the Office Manager at Weinhagen Tire Company in Saint Paul. Marjorie, along with her husband, Christian, are proud to be the fourth generation of Weinhagens to work at this family owned and operated company since 1922!
The Weinhagens are avid volunteers. Marjorie spent many years on the Annual Gala planning committee for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities. The Weinhagens were introduced to the strong tradition of Minnesota festivals during the 2015 Saint Paul Winter Carnival when her husband served as the West Wind Prince. The experience was so spectacular that it has since led to new opportunities to serve. They include, but are not limited to, chairing the international visiting royalty, the Annual LoBaido Volunteer Service Award Dinner, Spirits of Carnival, the West Wind Fundraiser, volunteering as a Dignitary Host with AAO, Director of Communications for the Ambassadors board of the Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation, and judging the South Dakota Snow Queen Scholarship program in 2017.
Marjorie was born and raised in small-town Minnesota. She spent her childhood on a lake in Zimmerman and graduated from Litchfield High School, followed by a BA in Business Management from the College of St. Scholastica. She currently resides in the city of Mounds View with her husband of 13 years, Christian, and their 3 children - Andrew (10), Mikey (8), and Frankie (5).
Captain Jackie Paul
Jackie Paul works on the Development Team at 360 Communities. She is proud to be a part of a team that works to break cycles of violence, provide access to healthy food, and promote school readiness and success. She represents 360 Communities in many Chambers of Commerce including as a Co-Chair of the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce Next Leaders. Jackie is also a member of the West St. Paul-Mendota Heights Rotary Club.
Jackie spends her free time with family, playing soccer, or on a lake. She also spends her summer evenings with the Midwest Ski Otter Waterski Team where she coaches the Junior Team.
Jackie was raised in White Bear Lake and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Business Economics minor at the University of Notre Dame. While at Notre Dame, Jackie also spent two summers working at nonprofits in South Africa. After graduation, Jackie moved to San Antonio, Texas with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and worked at a shelter for young women who were pregnant and/or parenting. Jackie is excited to be back in Minnesota to enjoy the summers at the lake and the winters in the snow.
About the AAO
The Minneapolis Aquatennial Ambassador Organization (AAO) is a Minnesota nonprofit Section 501(c)(3) public charity with a Mission is to inspire young women to achieve extraordinary futures by providing professional development opportunities through networking and mentoring.
The Aquatennial Ambassador Crew represent the Minneapolis Aquatennial at nearly 300 community festivals and events throughout North America each year and consists of the Queen of the Lakes, Commodore, two Aquatennial Princesses and two Captains who volunteer their time and efforts for the AAO.
The Coronation of the Aquatennial Ambassadors sponsored by SPIRE Credit Union takes place on Saturday at Ted Mann Concert Hall on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus where the Queen of the Lakes and Aquatennial Princesses will be selected.