John Himle

Director, Kraus-Anderson

John Himle is CEO of Himle LLC, a specialized consultancy that advises companies, non-profit organizations and others with insights and strategy to help shape complex/controversial business decisions, including advice related to corporate strategy, reputation, risk, issues management, public affairs strategy and crisis management. Himle has advised hundreds of clients including Fortune 500 corporations, public and private companies, start-ups, non-profits and government agencies in several industry sectors including health care, agriculture, food, financial services, energy, transportation, arts, sports and education, among others. He originally founded Himle and Associates in 1982 which became Himle Horner Inc. in 1989 and later Himle Rapp & Company Inc. in 2011, before selling his interests in 2017. Himle has also had a significant involvement in the public sector and politics. First elected in 1980, Himle served five terms as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives and held leadership positions including Assistant Majority Leader, Floor Leader and Assistant Minority Leader. Among controversial bills he successfully carried, Himle was chief author of the legislation required to do the Mall of America. He also served eight years as a Commissioner on the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) where he was responsible for overseeing the $3 billion expansion of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), the largest public infrastructure project in state history. Among his current outside involvements, he serves as a corporate independent director of the Kraus Anderson Companies and Canterbury Park Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: CPHC); a director and past-Chair of the Public Affairs Council in Washington D.C and Trustee of Gustavus Adolphus College. Himle was recognized by Twin Cities Business magazine as one of five Outstanding Directors in 2023.