Wayne Goodnature is in the midst of his second lifetime career – the first being in law enforcement as Mower County sheriff – as he takes his seat on the Austin City Council.

Friday, January 19, 2001

Wayne Goodnature is in the midst of his second lifetime career – the first being in law enforcement as Mower County sheriff – as he takes his seat on the Austin City Council. He brings new ideas, experience as a successful and enterprising businessman and extensive knowledge of Austin to his new position.

Goodnature was born in Albert Lea, but has lived for most of his life in Austin. After graduation, he entered the miliary and was stationed on the U.S.S. Stonewall Jackson SSBN 634 from 1963 to 1968.

After leaving the military, he worked a few jobs before becoming a jailer for the Mower County Sheriff’s Department. This job started his extensive career in law enforcement.

While working he returned to college, graduating with a two-year degree in Austin and a four-year degree in public safety and law enforcement from St. Mary’s College.

He obtained his degree through a core program, in which classes were held in Rochester at the law enforcement center. He said that many of the classes he took could be considered social science in nature, but training he took later focused on the mechanics of criminal investigation.

Goodnature was elected sheriff of Mower County in 1978 and held the job for 16 years, until 1994. While sheriff, he was nominated to the FBI Academy at Quantico, Va., where he achieved straight A’s.

He was attending the academy and serving as sheriff during the time of the Hormel strike in the 1980s.

"I flew back three times to settle issues relating to the strike," he said.

Besides receiving training in law enforcement, Goodnature was introduced to computers for the first time at Quantico. He was immediately enthused with what he saw: "I just lost my mind."

"Do you know how some people have a double major in college? Well, computers and law enforcement have been my double loves," he said.

During the time between when he was at the academy and when he left the sheriff’s office, Goodnature taught himself to program computers. In particular, he created a software application program to supplement the 911 emergency system, which is currently being used in Fillmore County. Titled EMAP, for "Emergency Mapping," the system aids police dispatchers by producing maps and directions, providing prearrival medical emergency information and tracking all previous calls from the reporting business or residence.

"That program was the impetus for creating PST," said Goodnature. PST: Your Computer Connection is the business Goodnature now runs with his "business partner from day one" and now fiancee, Catherine (Earl) Adamson. Adamson’s mother was the owner and developer of Grandma’s House.

Goodnature and Adamson will marry in two weeks, joining two families together. Adamson has two adult children – Dustin and Sonya – and Goodnature has three adult children – Susan, Heidi and Tim. Goodnature also has eight grandchildren.

PST: Your Computer Connection has five full-time employees, including Dustin, who is the primary technician. They are looking to hire a sixth and possibly a seventh employee in the near future.

Goodnature said that his company now has the infrastructure to expand EMAP to other counties, but does not have the money required yet to do so. But, he adds, he is a "very, very patient person."

If he is able to expand EMAP, "that could potentially break open the whole company." He estimates the cost of expanding the program beyond Fillmore County at between $250,000 to $500,000.

Goodnature said that 30 percent of PST’s business is devoted to retail. The other 70 percent of the business is dedicated to a variety of things, including overhauling, repairing, troubleshooting and broadband internet installation. PST repairs between 400 to 450 computers per year.

He said that his major concern about the community, and one which he hopes the Austin City Council will address, is the support of area businesses.

"My obsession and my belief is that the best focus we can make in the community is to support those businesses who have stayed here and those individuals who have ideas or expertise in areas which can be developed outside of meat packing," he said. "Although, I’m not complaining. I can see both sides of the fence now."

About his first two times before the council, Goodnature said, "I loved it! It just made me feel good."

His vision for the council is that they should be a visionary board, "setting the goals and the objectives of the community."

He said that the city staff is very competent and that in the future perhaps some issues can be handled by the city staff instead of being brought before the council.

He also hopes that the relationship between the city and the county is one of the most beneficial relationships the city has – an "enormous community resource."

"It won’t be in the best interest of anybody if we don’t find ways to work together," he said.

"I am one of seven people. I’m not laboring under any illusion that I can wave a magic wand," he said. But he said that he is looking at confronting issues involving business, public safety and recreation for adults and children.

"I hope to play a strong leadership role in the direction the city goes."