[3] He also started working at Lieberman Companies in 1980 and eventually reached the position of Vice President of Operations before retiring in 2004.
[5] Prior to becoming an elected official, Gene Winstead was a member of a number of boards and commissions.
[4] Gene Winstead's first major political experience occurred in 1992 when he was chairman of the city's Planning Commission as the Mall of America opened in Bloomington.
The city estimates that the Mall generates four times the tax revenue that an alternative development would.
[8] Winstead then entered public office after being appointed to one of the at-large council member seats in Bloomington on February 21, 1995 after mayor Neil Peterson resigned and council member Coral Houle was appointed mayor.
[11] In 2009, Bloomington adopted an Alternative Transportation Plan, which intended to increase the amount of walking and biking in the city.
[15] Other projects he influenced include the planned construction of the Metro Orange Line that will travel through Bloomington, the expansion of the Mall of America, a focus on affordable housing, a smoking ban in city facilities, park improvements, and an attempt to bring the World's Fair to Bloomington.
He cited wanting to spend more time with his grandchildren and golf more as additional reasons for stepping down.
As a result, five candidates filed for office and council member Tim Busse, who Winstead endorsed, was elected.
Upon leaving office he stated "I want to kick back, but I don't plan on folding up anytime soon.