Interview: Patrick Seeb, executive director, Destination Medical Center

The new leader of Rochester’s Destination Medical Center is optimistic about the new year — and the organization’s ability to position the city as an attractive place for remote workers. Patrick Seeb stepped into the DMC’s executive director role at the start of 2021. He’s taking over for Lisa Clarke, who retired after spending six years leading the organization. The DMC is a 20-year project to convert Rochester into a global hub for health and wellness. This, the DMC hopes, will draw development, investors, startups and entrepreneurs to the southern Minnesota city. It’s also the largest private-public economic initiative in the state’s history, according to the DMC. Seeb most recently served as the organization’s director of economic development and placemaking. Before that, he was executive director of the Saint Paul Riverfront Corp., responsible for the multibillion-dollar transformation of downtown St. Paul. Like any other city, Rochester has struggled with job losses and fewer visitors due to the ongoing pandemic. Still, Seeb said that the city is doing better than most thanks to the Mayo Clinic. Seeb speaks with reporter Kelly Busche about how leaders are assessing the community’s changing needs as they position Rochester as an essential city for workers and travelers in a post-pandemic world.