Hi, I’m P.J. Fanberg and I grew up in Big Lake. My wife and I are happy to be raising our family here now. I work for Ritchie Brothers Auctioneer and am the Territory Sales Manager. When I’m not working, I’m spending time with my family and making delicious rib-eye dinners! Living here in Big Lake with my family, friends, church community, and great neighbors continues to be a blessing. Thank you for selecting me as a Face of Big Lake.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am married to my wonderful wife, Jessica, and we’ve been married for 12.5 years. We have 2 kids – Hawie is 25 and just graduated college and Damion is 18 and a senior at Big Lake. He participates on the school bass fishing team. I also have 13 siblings and my dad still lives here in Big Lake.
Q: How long have you lived and/or worked in Big Lake?
I have been in Big Lake for 30+ years. I was away at college for about 5 years but live here now with my family.
Q: Tell us about your current, past, or future career.
Currently I am a Territory Manager at Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers – the largest equipment auction company in the country. Recently, I was elected to the State Board of Auctioneers. I attended auctioneer school at the World Wide College of Auctioneer in Mason City, Iowa. Our daughter, Hawie, is also going into auctioneering and currently competes in this. Prior to my current career, I was in the military with the National Guard as a Combat Engineer Sergeant for 6 years. I also worked at the Boys and Girls Club in Elk River and then I went to Cass Lake to work with Boys and Girls Club there. I was with the Land of Lakes Boys Choir as a Perfect and Executive Director for 14 years as well.
Q: Have you ever had a nickname? What is it and why were you given it?
Yes, my nickname is P.J. and the name I always go by. It is short for Paul J.
Q: What is your favorite TV Show, Movie, Book? (Please list as many as you’d like!)
I enjoy business books – anything by Malcom Gladwell and Robert Maxwell. I also read the Bible and like the show, The Chosen. I tend to watch mostly current events and news for T.V.
Q: If you could only eat one food/meal and have one beverage for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I would have a ribeye and Diet Dr. Pepper
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
Watching college hockey – St. Cloud State, traveling, and going to concerts – Elton John, Billy Joel, Guns and Roses, Aerosmith, James Taylor are just some of the concerts I’ve been to recently. As I mentioned, I do enjoy traveling and I went to Guinea in August on a mission trip with our church. We were able to work with a local orphanage and also provide reading glasses to those in need. They were thankful to be able to have reading glasses to read their Bible or Koran.
Q: What is one thing on your bucket list?
I want to learn sign language and travel to Ethiopia
Q: What would you buy/do if you won the lottery?
I would start an endowment for many nonprofits so there would be on-going funding and have a nice house on Lake Mitchell.
Q: What has been a challenge you have had to overcome? (Life, School, Work, etc.)
4 years ago I was at the YMCA in Elk River and once I was back out in my truck I started feeling ill. I ended up having a heart attack and they found 100% blockage. I was shocked back and a stint was put in. It has been a long road of recovery and I’m grateful the police were so close by when it happened.
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish I was taller.
Q: Who has been a hero in your life?
John Fitzgerald – he worked with the Land of Lakes Boys Choir and started the Boys and Girls Club in Elk River. Also, Ray Caruso. He was the owner of K Bid when I worked there and he was a great influence on me and my career. I have been blessed to have many heroes and mentors in my life.
Q: What is something even your family and friends may not know about you?
That I was selected as a Face of Big Lake and I’m doing this interview!
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?
Being a dad and getting my MBA.
Q: What are a few of your favorite businesses / restaurants in Big Lake?
Busch Automotive, Bob’s Towing, Pizza Factory, MN Wholesalers, Lake Cafe, and Gess What’s Cooking when he was in Big Lake. I also really like #1 China. The kids who work there are fantastic and they are always there working hard.
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Big Lake?
Find a good church.
Q: Who is an interesting person in our community that you’ve met and deserves to be included in The Faces of Big Lake project?
Benji Hamrin, Jesse Cornelius, Luke Busch, Aaron Andrews at Riverside, Paul Seefeldt, Nick Christenson, Bob Dockendorf, John Bruns, Jenelle Stach, and Corinne Lozinski
