Peter McDermott became President & CEO of MDI on August 18, 2008. Before coming to MDI, Peter was the President of Itasca Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) which is a non-profit economic development organization serving the greater Itasca County area.

His for profit experience includes twenty years in senior management positions including three years in New Zealand and six years in public accounting (CPA). Most recently he was chief financial officer for Cirrus Design in Duluth and UPM Blandin Paper in Grand Rapids.

He currently serves on the boards of Greater Pokegama Lake Association and Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital (vice chair) as well as chair of the North Star Fund, LLC.