Cal and his wife, Maria, have nine children (four of them in their twenties), and one adorable grandson! Their older children also live and work in the area, bringing new perspectives to the family conversation as they share their own experiences in a variety of fields, which include Lead Diesel Technician, Official Court Reporter, Personal Care Attendant, Apprentice Union Electrician (IBEW), and Municipal Golf Course Cook.

Cal is a former Director on the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools (RAMS) Board. He is an active member of the St. Louis County Association of Townships, as well as the Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT). He has met with legislators in St. Paul as a township officer and separately as a member of RAMS. He also represents the St. Louis County Association of Townships to the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC).

Cal has been a passionate promoter of precious metals mining in our area for many years. Understanding the intense need for the minerals essential to our modern way of life, as well as our national defense, he has traveled to Washington, D.C., with Fight for Mining Minnesota. He has also locally worked to promote the mission of Better In Our Back Yard-a group of industry professionals dedicated to increasing education about the benefits of keeping our mining, manufacturing and heavy industry jobs close to home, here in Minnesota, where we already have excellent environmental standards, a well-trained union workforce, and solid protection for workers' safety.