Derek Hackett has joined the City of Minot as public information officer, replacing inaugural PIO Robert Lindee.

Hackett is a graduate of Bishop Ryan High School. “That’s probably where I developed most of my social skills,” said Hackett. He says his graduating class in particular had a special cohesiveness.

His first semester out of Bishop Ryan, Hackett went to Minot State University as an undeclared freshman, garnering a .308 grade point average before questioning his decision to further his education. Hackett ended up landscaping and working at Video Magic before his uncle set him up with a job with Miller Electric in Mohall. Hackett recalls the exact date, Dec. 7, 2007, when he saw a billboard go up by his job site for Minot State. “I thought, ‘How terrible is this?’ You know what, I’m going back to school,” said Hackett.

After some convincing with MSU’s financial aid, he re-enrolled at the university, ultimately graduating in 2013 with a degree in public relations.

“I found my niche,” said Hackett.

While in college, he began working as a television sports reporter. “In this market, you’re very lucky to be here,” Hackett said of living in Minot as opposed to a larger market with more competition. He worked in sports and news, reporting for KXMC-TV in Minot for four years.

“There were obvious changes happening at the station. When this job opened up, I applied,” said Hackett. “It was the logical next step without leaving home.”

As city PIO, Hackett will be providing public information through news releases and public interest articles and will be handling social media, photography, videography and updating of the city’s website.

Hackett said he hopes to build on the foundation established by Lindee, who developed the office as the city’s first PIO, hired in January 2013.

“I want to make all of our information easier to obtain,” said Hackett. One thing he has already done is to live-stream city council meetings via Youtube.

“We’re an open book. I want to make sure (citizens of Minot) get the information they need,” said Hackett.

Hackett is also involved in two small business ventures. Seven-year-old “Minot’s Pretty Lights,” where he installs Christmas lights locally, keeps him busy during the holiday season. The installation business that started with six customers is now up to 90 regulars.

“We didn’t pay ourselves for the first two years,” said Hackett.

The other is the Small Business Platform, which provides value by assisting small business owners in creating, developing and growing their company from the ground up. They help by providing bookkeeping, website design, inventory and marketing assistance.

“We’re just getting off the ground, ” said Hackett.

While Hackett is expecting a newborn daughter mid-August, he has no plans on slowing down.

“I never want to coast. I have to move forward. I get bored if I coast,” said Hackett.

(Prairie Profile is a weekly feature profiling interesting people in our region. We welcome suggestions from our readers. Call Editor Mike Sasser at 857-1959 or Regional Editor Eloise Ogden at 857-1944. Either can be reached at 1-800-735-3229. You also can send e-mail suggestions to msasser@minotdailynews.com.