Meet the Team

Founder

Jason Hale started his career in banking at the peak of the Great Recession. Interested in housing and finance, he focused first on mortgage lending, and then financial advising. The experience and education in banking were invaluable, refining and guiding him to what he was truly interested in: real estate and development.

Jason started his career in local government as a Real Estate Appraiser for St. Louis County, Minnesota while studying for his Master’s in Management and Leadership. He then accepted a role with the City of Duluth and Duluth Economic Development Authority, exploring the world of economic development and ultimately becoming the first Senior Housing Developer for the City and Duluth HRA. In 2022, Jason pursued the opportunity to launch the Cook County HRA: for almost three years he lead the HRA, creating the infrastructure for the organization, securing millions in resources, and creating projects and enduring partnerships.

Over the course of his career, Jason has secured over 55 acres at over 13 sites and $30+ million in grants and local resources to assist over 30 development projects The projects range from tiny homes to 200 unit, mixed-use buildings, and have resulted in over $250 million dollars of private investment on the North Shore. He has testified at the Capitol on behalf of housing several times, and he has presented on topics ranging from zoning to real estate development across the state. Growing up in Owatonna, studying in Minneapolis and working on the North Shore for most of his career, Jason loves Minnesota and is driven to see things happen for its people.

Theresa Bajda is a dedicated project manager with over eight years of experience in local government, specializing in economic development, municipal operations, and project oversight. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Journalism from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota, she moved to Northern Minnesota’s Iron Range—a place she had spent her childhood summers.

Theresa began her career in the mining industry, working as a Warehouse Assistant Manager at Mesabi Nugget before becoming a Global Contract Analyst at U.S. Steel Corporation. It was during this time that she developed a strong interest in local government and the role it plays in shaping communities. That interest led her to the City of Duluth, where she first worked in Parks, then transitioned into development—first as a Planner, then as the Senior Housing Developer on the City’s first dedicated housing team.

Her passion for community development took her to Grand Marais, where she served as Executive Director of the Cook County/Grand Marais Joint Economic Development Authority. Most recently, she served as City Clerk of Excelsior, deepening her expertise in municipal operations, public engagement, and governance.

Theresa joined North Shore Development Co. in 2025, bringing her collaborative spirit, organizational strength, and commitment to delivering meaningful results—because for her, success is never about “me,” but always about “we.”