Gary Christensen is a retired attorney and lifelong music maker who brings decades of board governance, financial stewardship, and community engagement to the LRAC. As Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary at Securian Financial in St. Paul, Gary oversaw corporate governance, securities law, and strategic business development for one of Minnesota's largest financial services companies. His 37-year career gave him deep experience serving on and supporting multiple boards of directors, including the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, where he also served on the Finance Committee, and Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest.

Now retired to the Detroit Lakes area, Gary has plugged into the local arts community as a musician with both the Lakes Area Community Concert Band and the Beachfront Big Band, and has contributed hand-crafted wooden pieces to Project 412 fundraising auctions. He is eager to put his board experience and passion for the arts to work in support of the region's creative community.