RISING ICON #83: Hal Reynolds
What name do you prefer to be called?
Hal Reynolds
What are your pronouns?
He/Him/His
Where did you grow up?
Niagara Falls, New York
What city are you currently based in?
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
How do you typically introduce yourself to new people?
When I meet new people, I like to describe myself as a devoted husband and father who is committed to bringing happiness and positivity into our everyday experiences through acts of service.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about you?
I am father of twin boys and I also happen to be a twin myself.
Who do you help?
I help others by using my extensive experience in leadership, which includes mentoring and advocating for others. I am particularly dedicated to helping young people grow and become tomorrow's leaders. When I combine all my passions and skills in one place, I can be the most effective version of myself.
For more than 20 years, I have been a mentor and role model for numerous young individuals. As the General Manager at the Best Buy store in Maple Grove, I implemented a successful process to help my retail staff secure positions at the corporate office. Through my guidance and mentorship, I was able to develop over 100 young employees, creating a pathway for talented individuals to move from the retail store to the corporate headquarters. I played a key role in facilitating the transition of over 30 employees into full-time positions at the headquarters. In addition to mentoring and guiding my staff, I also prioritized their professional growth and development.
What are you building now?
I am building DYGI, Disinvested Youth Gaming Initiative, with the goal of using esports to bridge the digital divide in underserved communities. DYGI offers high-quality gaming experiences that not only entertain but also educate and prepare young people for careers in the technology industry, particularly in areas with limited resources. By providing access to top-tier gaming experiences and opportunities, DYGI aims to cultivate future leaders and the next generation of technologists and innovators in the tech world. Through DYGI, I hope to empower young people to pursue careers in technology and make a positive impact on a local, national, and global level.
What were you building ten years ago today?
Ten years ago, I was advancing my career at Best Buy retail as a General Manager. This eventually led me to a director role overseeing the operations of the Best Buy Teen Tech Centers. As the Director of Program Operations for Teen Tech Centers, I played a key role in the creation and growth of Teen Tech Centers nationwide, catering to youth aged 12 to 18. I oversaw the program operations for all centers, providing young people with a supportive environment for developing essential skills through engaging, hands-on activities that centered on technology. This environment fostered a sense of belonging and encouraged youth to showcase their talents and creativity. As a result, there was a noticeable decrease in high school dropout rates and youth involvement in criminal activities.
What do you predict of yourself 10 years from now?
In my role as the Founder and CEO of DYGI, I envision our organization expanding to operate in a minimum of ten states and catering to 10,000 young people every year. We will collaborate with schools and community groups to enhance the number of tech credentials and certifications obtained. Additionally, we will act as a connection between tech firms seeking to recruit and retain our skilled workforce. We intend to expand to one new state per year, as we believe that there is a significant opportunity to bring our unique approach to other states that are also in need of improvement in computer science education. Our goal is to provide high-quality, engaging, and accessible computer science education to students across the country, ultimately helping to close the skills gap and prepare students for jobs in technology and success in the digital age. By expanding into at least one new state each year, we can reach more students and continue to drive impact in communities across the country.
What’s a fact or statistic you wish everyone knew about your industry?
Minnesota is currently ranked last in the country in terms of computer science education. This is a concerning issue as our society is becoming increasingly reliant on technology, and those without these skills will be left behind. It is crucial to bridge the digital divide in order to keep up with the rapidly advancing world. By 2030, Minnesota is expected to lose 92,000 tech jobs, which will have a significant impact on the state's economy. We need innovative solutions to address this growing problem in the digital age
Why do you believe the work you do matters?
Minnesota is currently ranked last in the country in terms of computer science education. This is a concerning issue as our society is becoming increasingly reliant on technology, and those without these skills will be left behind. It is crucial to bridge the digital divide in order to keep up with the rapidly advancing world. By 2030, Minnesota is expected to lose 92,000 tech jobs, which will have a significant impact on the state's economy. We need innovative solutions to address this growing problem in the digital age.
Who is your mentor and what is the best advice they’ve given you?
My mentor is Joel Marsh. He introduced me to a valuable philosophy that I continue to rely on. The 20/80 rule emphasizes the importance of prioritizing your time and efforts as a leader. It suggests that you should only focus on tasks that are essential for you to complete. By carefully evaluating which tasks have the greatest impact, you can ensure that you are dedicating your energy to the most important work first and foremost.
What piece of content about you or your company are you most proud of?
I am especially proud of the news segment on Kare 11 featuring DYGI, where more information was shared about DYGI, and I was recognized as a finalist in the Hatch Bloomington Pitch competition. Hatch Bloomington is a dynamic business competition aimed at spurring economic growth, revitalizing commercial corridors, and empowering innovative minds to bring their small business dreams to life.
Hatch Bloomington offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their business ideas and compete for a chance to receive $100,000 in financial assistance to kick-start a brick-and-mortar business in Bloomington. The competition is part of a strategic effort to support the small business community and attract fresh investment into Bloomington, positioning it as a hub of economic activity and innovation in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
DYGI was featured in a news special on Kare 11, giving the business more visibility and a chance to showcase the business on a larger scale.
What publication do you hope to appear in next?
I hope to be featured in the Twin Cities Business Journal and then work my way up to being recognized by Times Magazine for challenging the norm.
Who would you love to be interviewed by?
Bill Maher and Shannon Sharp are two programs that I really enjoy watching.
If you had to give a TEDTalk tomorrow, what would the title be?
Tech Equity, the modern aspiration for many Americans.
What award would mean the most to win?
Nobel Peace Prize award
What makes zero sense to you?
The direct relationship between our power system and the suffering in our nation is evident. History shows that a society is doomed to collapse when wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few, similar to the fate of Rome.
What’s a word in your industry you hope gets re-evaluated?
Love is the ultimate force that can bring people together and change hearts in a way that nothing else can. It has the power to do extraordinary things that we never thought possible. Unfortunately, love seems to be lacking, especially among our political leaders.
What game are you changing?
I am revolutionizing the technology industry by advocating for change that promotes diversity and inclusivity, enabling everyone to envision themselves succeeding in this field.
What’s the next thing you’re a part of that you want to invite more people to participate in?
I have been invited to speak at the MNTech annual conference this Fall, which will be held at the Best Buy campus. My topic will focus on the future tech needs and solutions that we can expect to see. I am excited to engage with new individuals and have them join in on the discussion at the conference.
Where can we follow you online?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hal-reynolds-/
What’s one thing that makes every leader better?
The ability to listen actively and empathetically. By truly understanding the perspectives and needs of their team members, leaders can make more informed decisions, build stronger relationships, and foster a more inclusive and collaborative work environment.
____________
We’re grateful to each Rising ICON for their transformative work. Thank you, Hal, for sharing your story!
LAUREL is a media relations partner for bold leadership. For nearly a decade, we’ve helped leaders build effective strategies for scale and growth specializing in key opinion leadership and go-to-market strategy for emerging brands. To follow along with the RISING ICONS series, nominate a leader or subscribe to our weekly email newsletter. To accelerate your own rise, get our free guide to elevating your leadership profile, FIT(lite). RISING ICONS is made possible by grant funding from Knight Foundation.
“The direct relationship between our power system and the suffering in our nation is evident.”
Notice: It’s important for our readers to understand the origin of the interview content. The featured ICON contributed responses that were not edited from the original submission. All claims are made solely by the contributor and do not reflect the views of LAUREL or its partners. Thank you for supporting innovation leaders. We’re convinced, the future is bold.
