Eggen stressed the need to communicate and to get involved in the industry in his address to the MRA membership. 

"In my role as fishing guide, I spend some great quality time talking with people," Eggen said. "I do it face-to-face. We share stories, talk about families, our health, our plans for the future, our hopes and dreams. Communication is so important -- whether it's with our guests or whether it's with our associa-tion... If we talk to each other, we'll understand each other and we can work with each other." 

Eggen joked that his friends in Crane Lake call him a professional meeting goer because of the amount of time he devotes to community and industry activities. 

"I think it's really important that all of us, in some way, get involved in something bigger than our small worlds, something bigger than our businesses," he said. "I get very frustrated when I hear people complain about things, but then don't do anything to get involved or make a change." 

Eggen cited the importance of the Minnesota Resort Association's new web site, scheduled to debut soon, in strengthemng the lines of communication over the coming year. And he encouraged resorters to participate in the 1999 Resort and Campground Show March 7-9 at the State Fairgrounds to help ensure a season as strong as 1998. 

Eggen, who grew up on Crane Lake near the Boundary Waters, said resorting is all he's ever known. After marrying Jacque Pohlman, he became actively involved in Nelson's Resort, which was started by Pohlman'sgrandparents in 1931. 

Like most resorters, Eggen said he has become a "jack of all trades." He and his wife built their log home themselves. He's a real estate broker, he builds birch canoes and he owns his own saw mill. 

"I love what I do," Eggen said. "To me, it's not work. It's play." 

Other officers elected during the Association's annual meeting include: 

• President Elect: Greg Darnlo - White Pine Resort, Park Rapids
• Vice President: Dan Kaldahi - Fair Hills Resort, Detroit Lakes
• Treasurer: Dick Holetz - Camperville, Mora
• Immediate Past President: John Kavanaugh - Kavanaugh's Resort & Restaurant, Brainerd

Three-Year Term: 

• Bob Dickerson, Dickerson's Lake Florida Resort, Spicer
• Wally Heise, South Isle Family Campground, Isle
• Steve Kiesler, Kiesler's Campground, Waseca
• Chris Ruttger, Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge, Deerwood
• Lee Zaczkowski, Timberlane Lodge, Park Rapids

• Kris Biessener, Cedar Bay Resort, Hackensack
• David Johnston, Maple Hill Resort, Armandale

• Kathy Manteuffel, Limmers Resort, Ottertail
• Jim Peters, Peters' Sunset Beach Resort, Glenwood

Two Years Remaining: 

• Mary Hadfield, Boyd Lodge, Crosslake
• Steve Jones, Arcadia Resort, Bigfork
• John Swift, Pike Bay Lodge, Tower
• Jennifer Walsh, Gunflint Lodge, Grand Marais
• Harriet Williams, Fun Ta Boot, Park Rapids

• Jan Gladson, Whispering Waters Resort, Underwood
• Dave Logue, Noka Sippi Resort, Brainerd
• Mark Ludlow, Ludlow's Island Lodge, Cook
• Dee Sullivan, Sullivan's Resort & Campground, Brainerd
• David Tuttle, Bearskin Lodge, Grand Marais