Blain Johnson | Owner-Principal
Blain was born and raised is southeastern North Dakota and grew up dealing with the major flooding issues along the Red River of the North through the 90’s and early 2000’s. This early experience dealing with emergencies became the roots of Paramount Planning’s early beginnings. Blain graduation from North Dakota State University in Fargo with a Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency Management and minors in Sociology and History from North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND before obtaining a Masters of Science Degree from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. After school, Blain worked at an industrial door manufacturer as safety and security specialist in Fargo before being hired an emergency management senior consultant at a consulting firm while founding Paramount Planning in 2015. Blain currently resides in Bovey, MN and enjoys travelling, time by the lake, and his cat Connor.
Education:B.S. Emergency Management, North Dakota State
M.S. Biodefense, Homeland Security, George Mason University
Rachelle Brinkman | Administrative Assistant
Rachelle was born and raised in Carver, MN. She received her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Development and began teaching Preschool. Rachelle kept teaching for a little over 4 years and then became the Director of a Preschool in Fargo, ND. She found her love for organizing and clerical work through her experience as a director. She went on to become an Office Coordinator at a Clinical Autism Center in Hermantown and is now the Clerk for Grand Lake Township. When she is not working, she loves spending time with her husband, daughter and 2 dogs (Loki and Hades) or reading her favorite author’s publishings (Stephen King).
Kelly Haffield | Human Trafficking Prevention Coordinator
Kelly has lived in Northern Minnesota for her whole life, with the exception of when she was away for the military. Kelly’s working career has included working as a paramedic for a local ambulance service, Death Investigator for southern St. Louis County, MN, police officer and sex trafficking investigator for a local police department and commander of a state-wide multijurisdictional sex trafficking task force. During this time Kelly also served as an Advisory Board Member for the Office of Violence against Women. While at Fond du Lac Police Department Kelly received the St. Louis County 911 Lifesaver Award, the Fond du Lac Police Department Distinguished Achievement Award, Fond du Lac Community Police Officer of the Year, and Fond du Lac Police Officer of the Year. Kelly spent several years as an adjunct instructor for the law enforcement program at Fond du Lac Tribal Community College. Kelly recently served four years on the Board of Directors for the First Witness Child Advocacy. With her last year serving as Chair. Kelly has been a guest speaker at multiple conferences throughout the country speaking on the topic of sex trafficking awareness and prevention. Kelly currently resides in Wrenshall, MN on a small hobby farm where she owns and operates a dog boarding kennel business with her husband, Doug. Kelly’s position with Paramount Planning is that of Sex Trafficking Prevention Coordinator.
Jason ‘JD’ Cline | Preparedness Planner
Jason Cline (JD) is from Aitkin, Minnesota. JD graduated from NDSU in 2024 with a bachelor’s in emergency management and interned with Crow Wing County Emergency Management. Some of JD’s favorite topics in the Emergency Management field are the strategies to reach underserved populations, social vulnerability, disaster analysis, and infrastructural recovery/mitigation. Outside of emergency management, JD enjoys reading a good book, playing guitar, and travelling.
Mitch Wilkinson | Public Safety Specialist
Mitchell Wilkinson works in public safety consulting and military service, focusing on emergency management and response. As a Public Safety Specialist at Paramount Planning for the past four years, he helps organizations improve preparedness, risk assessment, and security planning.
In the United States Air Force, Mitchell has served for two years on the Fatality Search and Recovery Team (FSRT), specializing in search and recovery operations during emergency and disaster situations.
He lives in Cloquet with his wife, Shannon, and their three children—Mitchell, Thomas, and Adelyn. Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor activities, fitness, and spending time with his family.
