Community members and Boulder Estates employees carried cutouts of Jim Knudson’s face on Wednesday, for a surprise announcement that Knudson will receive a statewide leadership award. Knudson, executive director of Boulder Estates in Marshall, will receive the LeadingAge Minnesota Outstanding Leadership Award at a February conference.

MARSHALL — It was an unexpected moment. During a regular tenant council meeting at Boulder Estates.

Executive Director Jim Knudson got the news he would be receiving a statewide leadership award.

Boulder Estates staff and community supporters came in to cheer him on, carrying big cutouts of Knudson’s face.

“I was surprised. It was nice to see the support,” Knudson said. “It was fun to see the residents having fun and smiling.”

Boulder Creek Assisted Living Director Jan Mason said Knudson was named the recipient of LeadingAge Minnesota’s 2026 Outstanding Leadership Award. Knudson will be formally recognized at a dinner coming up in February in St. Paul.

LeadingAge Minnesota is a statewide network of caregivers and organizations serving older adults. The organization has several different awards that are presented during its annual Institute and Expo. According to LeadingAge Minnesota, the Outstanding Leadership Award is one that honors a person who demonstrates leadership through vision, servanthood, mentoring others, and commitment to older adults.

Mason said the work to nominate Knudson for the award started last spring. Part of the nomination process included sharing a story that illustrated Knudson’s leadership in action. “And we did get letters of support from residents and other team members,” she said.

Knudson has been with Boulder Estates since the facility opened in 1998. Knudson said at the time, he was the director of an assisted living facility in Lisbon, N.D. He received a call from Bob and James Carr in Marshall, asking if he would come to Boulder Estates.

“It’s been a great fit ever since,” Knudson said. The Boulder community is close-knit, he said. “It’s just one big family. We look out for each other and care for each other.”

At Wednesday’s announcement, Mason shared a little about her experiences of working with Knudson, starting with her job interview about 10 years ago.

“He actually stayed late. I was an impromptu interview, and he gave me a shot. And I never looked back, and I’ve never not felt appreciated,” she said. “Each and every person who works here feels appreciated.”

“He doesn’t ever look down on people,” Mason said of Knudson. “He helps them to develop into a better person, and a better leader themselves.”

Knudson thanked the Boulder estates community at Wednesday’s ceremony. “You guys are what make this job special. So, thank you for bringing a smile to my face every day,” he said. He also recognized Boulder Estates employees, and James Carr. “He gave me a shot when I was just a young kid, so thank you for that,” he said.

“It’s a great honor. I’m humbled,” Knudson said of being named the award recipient.