Sigmund Kroslid
Encyclopedia
Sigmund Kroslid is a Norwegian politician for the Christian Democratic Party, best known for being the mayor of Flekkefjord
for fourteen years.
as a son of David Kroslid and Mathilde Heskestad. The family, which had its roots in Gyland
, moved to Lista when Kroslid was three years old. After finishing secondary education in Farsund
in 1967, he worked one year as an electrician's apprentice in the Flekkefjord Slipp & Maskinfabrikk factory. He then spent three years at Stavanger Technical School, and then returned to Flekkefjord Slipp & Maskinfabrikk where he has spent the rest of his professional career. Since 1997 he has been the market director of the company. However, he did not work full-time during his time as mayor.
Kroslid became involved in politics as leader of the local Youth of the Christian People's Party
branch in 1972. From 1975 to 1976 he chaired the regional chapter in Vest-Agder
. Kroslid was then a member of the Flekkefjord
municipal council from 1975 to 2007, serving as deputy mayor from 1990 to 1991 and mayor from 1987 to 1989 and 1995 to 2007. He stepped down ahead of the Norwegian local elections in 2007 to spend more time with his family, and to resume his career at Flekkefjord Slipp & Maskinfabrikk. Nationally, he served as a deputy representative to the Parliament of Norway from his county Vest-Agder for four terms, from 1993–1997, 1997–2001, 2001–2005 and 2005–2009. He has also been a deputy member of the Vest-Agder county council
.
He has been a board member and chair
of the local branches of the Norwegian State Food Authority
and the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities
. For the latter organization he was a member of the national board from 1999 to 2003. He has also been involved in several local companies and bodies, and since late 2005 he is the chair of Agder Energi
. One of his first actions as chair was to hire Christian Rynning-Tønnesen
as the new CEO
in February 2006; however Rynning-Tønnesen changed his mind in early June and went to Norske Skog
.
, a denomination with slightly more than 11,000 followers in Norway. He has been a member of the central committee of the Methodist Church in Norway, as well as the union of Methodist churches in Northern Europe.
Flekkefjord
is a town and municipality in the county of Vest-Agder, Norway.The town of Flekkefjord was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 . The rural municipalities of Bakke, Gyland, Hidra, and Nes were merged with Flekkefjord on 1 January 1965.Flekkefjord is the westernmost town of the...
for fourteen years.
Career
He was born in FlekkefjordFlekkefjord
is a town and municipality in the county of Vest-Agder, Norway.The town of Flekkefjord was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 . The rural municipalities of Bakke, Gyland, Hidra, and Nes were merged with Flekkefjord on 1 January 1965.Flekkefjord is the westernmost town of the...
as a son of David Kroslid and Mathilde Heskestad. The family, which had its roots in Gyland
Gyland
Gyland is a village and a former municipality in Vest-Agder county in Norway. It is located in the northeastern part of the present-day municipality of Flekkefjord between the municipality of Kvinesdal and the lake, Sirdalsvatnet.-Name:...
, moved to Lista when Kroslid was three years old. After finishing secondary education in Farsund
Farsund
is a town and municipality in the county of Vest-Agder, Norway.The town of Farsund was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 , although already recognized as a trading center in 1795...
in 1967, he worked one year as an electrician's apprentice in the Flekkefjord Slipp & Maskinfabrikk factory. He then spent three years at Stavanger Technical School, and then returned to Flekkefjord Slipp & Maskinfabrikk where he has spent the rest of his professional career. Since 1997 he has been the market director of the company. However, he did not work full-time during his time as mayor.
Kroslid became involved in politics as leader of the local Youth of the Christian People's Party
Youth of the Christian People's Party
The Young Christian Democrats is the youth league of Kristelig Folkeparti in Norway. The current leader of KrFU is Elisabeth Løland. They have approximately 2,000 members....
branch in 1972. From 1975 to 1976 he chaired the regional chapter in Vest-Agder
Vest-Agder
In the 16th century, Dutch merchant vessels began to visit ports in southern Norway to purchase salmon and other goods. Soon thereafter the export of timber began, as oak from southern Norway was exceptionally well suited for shipbuilding...
. Kroslid was then a member of the Flekkefjord
Flekkefjord
is a town and municipality in the county of Vest-Agder, Norway.The town of Flekkefjord was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 . The rural municipalities of Bakke, Gyland, Hidra, and Nes were merged with Flekkefjord on 1 January 1965.Flekkefjord is the westernmost town of the...
municipal council from 1975 to 2007, serving as deputy mayor from 1990 to 1991 and mayor from 1987 to 1989 and 1995 to 2007. He stepped down ahead of the Norwegian local elections in 2007 to spend more time with his family, and to resume his career at Flekkefjord Slipp & Maskinfabrikk. Nationally, he served as a deputy representative to the Parliament of Norway from his county Vest-Agder for four terms, from 1993–1997, 1997–2001, 2001–2005 and 2005–2009. He has also been a deputy member of the Vest-Agder county council
County council (Norway)
A County Council is the highest governing body of the county municipalities in Norway. The county council sets the scope of the county municipal activity. The council is led by a chairman or county mayor...
.
He has been a board member and chair
Chair (official)
The chairman is the highest officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office is typically elected or appointed by the members of the group. The chairman presides over meetings of the assembled group and conducts its business in an...
of the local branches of the Norwegian State Food Authority
Norwegian Food Safety Authority
Norwegian Food Safety Authority is a Norwegian government agency responsible for safe food and drinking water, and works within the fields of human, plant, fish and animal health as well as environmentally friendly production and ethically acceptable farming of animals and fish...
and the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities
Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities
The Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities is an employers' organisation in Norway.It was founded in 1972 as a merger between the Union of Norwegian Cities and the Norwegian Association of Rural Municipalities...
. For the latter organization he was a member of the national board from 1999 to 2003. He has also been involved in several local companies and bodies, and since late 2005 he is the chair of Agder Energi
Agder Energi
Agder Energi is a power company based in Agder, Norway. It is the second largest power producer in Norway, after its largest owner, Statkraft who owns it along with 31 municipalities in the region Agder. It operates 31 hydroelectric power plants, operates the power grid in 31 municipalities, as...
. One of his first actions as chair was to hire Christian Rynning-Tønnesen
Christian Rynning-Tønnesen
Christian Wilhelm Rynning-Tønnesen is a Norwegian businessperson. He has spent most of his career in Statkraft, from 1992 to 2005, and in Norske Skogindustrier since 2005. Since June 2006 he is the CEO of Norske Skog, being hired in a difficult era for the company...
as the new CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
in February 2006; however Rynning-Tønnesen changed his mind in early June and went to Norske Skog
Norske Skog
Norske Skogindustrier ASA or Norske Skog, which translates as Norwegian Forest Industries, is a Norwegian pulp and paper company based in Oslo, Norway and established in 1962...
.
Personal life
Kroslid is married and has three children; the two oldest are twins. He is an active adherent of MethodismMethodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
, a denomination with slightly more than 11,000 followers in Norway. He has been a member of the central committee of the Methodist Church in Norway, as well as the union of Methodist churches in Northern Europe.