Frank Ball is, well, Frank Ball
ST. MATHIAS - By now, friends of Frank Ball probably aren't surprised at any twist or turn his professional life might take.
At 60, Ball can look back on a varied career that includes more than 30 years as an area law officer, 15 months as contingent commander of the national police force in Afghanistan and, as he's found of recalling, a brief stint selling underwear at J.C. Penney.
His latest job, which he began in January, is executive director of the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association, a group whose 1,600 members he monitored while he served as director of the alcohol and gambling division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
"I met all these people," he said of the on- and off-sale liquor retailers. "I fined a lot of them."
In his new post Ball is registered lobbyist who advocates for bar and liquor store owners with the Legislature and is involved with public relations and education on alcohol issues.
Proudly displaying the garden at his St. Mathias home (a converted barn), Frank Ball said that ideally when he leaves a job he likes to do it when he's at the top of his game.
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He said the organization is against Sunday sale of liquor and the sale of wine in grocery stores. The association is in favor of a tip credit that could be applied in determining minimum wage. Ball said Minnesota is one of only seven states that does not have a tip credit. Sunday liquor sales, Ball said, would deprive many retailers of their only day off, conflict with some religious practices and force the hiring of more employees.
The association has a staff of five people based in a St. Paul office. Ball frequently travels around the state. He has a residence in St. Paul and a home which he converted from a barn in St. Mathias Township. The barn is situated on about 20 acres of rolling countryside off the Dewing Highway.
"I work to fight back against further regulations and taxes," he said, noting that 30 percent of the state's bars are going out of business every year. "The smoking ban just about killed them."
Even while he enforced state regulations against the liquor retailers he now works for, he said he never demonized them or their industry.
Relaxing on the porch of his barn last week, Ball demonstrated he was as quotable as ever and not at all shy about providing a reporter with a little editorial direction.
"Here's a good quote for that," he eagerly responded when asked a question about the assorted jobs he's had in his working career. "I know when person's shelf life is up. You leave at the top of your game."
Since leaving the military, the longtime Brainerd resident worked at J.C. Penney, the Nisswa Police Department, was elected Crow Wing County sheriff (1986-1990) and was appointed Brainerd Police chief (1991-2000). He worked for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety from 2000 to 2005. When he returned home from Afghanistan he worked for Barrett Agriculture Service and unsuccessfully ran for the District 1 seat of the county board.
"I got beat up by a real nice little farm boy," he said with a smile about his defeat at the polls to Phil Trusty.
Ball said life is short and can be filled with adventure but noted he has always had a good work ethic and has loyalty to the person or organization that issues him a paycheck. The thought of permanently occupying a rocking chair doesn't appeal to him yet even though he claims that gravity and old age takes its toll.
"I'm not a retiring type guy," he said.
With typical enthusiasm, Ball describes his latest job as awesome. He said he enjoys dealing with the public and with his association members. Public relations is nothing new to him and he said he's gained more respect for state lawmakers after seeing them at the state Capitol.
"I see (Rep.) Paul Koering in action," Ball said. "He works hard. (Rep.) John Ward works hard."
While the Legislature might receive plenty of criticism, Ball said his experience abroad has colored his perspective.
"I've seen how government works in Afghanistan," he said.
MIKE O'ROURKE may be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.