Meet the NMBO Team

NATHAN KNIEFEL

NMBO FOUNDER & RESEARCHER

B.S. Biology, Ecology Emphasis - Minnesota State University, Mankato

Nathan founded NMBO in 2018 after reading reports of Bigfoot sightings throughout northern Minnesota. It wasn't long after until his team found intriguing evidence of a possible large primate in the area. This inspired Nathan to shift his focus in studies from physics and astronomy to ecology and evolutionary biology. Nathan brings his educational background and lifelong wilderness experience to the team, which he uses to educate and inspire other researchers. 

As the founder of NMBO, it is Nathan's responsibility to ensure that people of the area stay informed, safe, and open minded when researching the topic of Bigfoot. He has had a long career in facilitating discussions and presenting a wide range of topics to various crowds. Maybe you'll see him at the next expo!

If you have any questions about our organization, please reach out to nmbocontact@gmail.com. 

BRENT "THE BOSS" EKSTROM

EXPEDITION LEAD & INDIGENOUS GUIDE

B.A. Music Education - Minnesota State University, Mankato 

Brent "The Boss" Ekstrom has been leading expeditions in the northern Minnesota area almost all of his life. He has deep-rooted ancestry in the Cass Lake, Minnesota area and prides himself in his indigenous background. As expedition lead, Brent is responsible for mapping out Bigfoot sightings and planning safe, environmentally-concious excursions into the brush. 

Brent and Nathan met in high school where they shared a passion for the rugged outdoors, often camping under the night sky and sharing stories of the wilderness. If you ever want to know how Brent got his nickname, well, you'll just have to join us for a trip into the bush!

CHRISTOPHER GARY MATHISEN

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

B.S. Business - Bemidji State University

Christopher Gary Mathisen has been a lifelong friend of the team and although he is a skeptic when is comes to the existence of Bigfoot in northern Minnesota, he brings an invaluable financial background to the table. While getting his Business degree at Bemidji State University, he was roommates with the NMBO team and over time decided his skills were best served as part of the organization. 

Although crunching numbers is his cup of tea, Chris actually is an avid outdoorsman and brings bushcraft expertise to any expedition he is apart of. We are lucky to have him! 

JEREMY TODD SWAN JR. WELLS

EXPERT WITNESS & FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGIST

B.S. Philosophy & Psychology - University of Minnesota

Jeremy Todd Swan Jr. Wells boasts a dense resume of experience in human behavior, which has proved invaluable in our eyewitness reporting. Double majoring in Philosophy and Psychology at the University of Minnesota, Jeremy often pondered what people were actually seeing when making claims of sighting Sasquatch. This led him to delve deep into the psychology of Bigfoot sighting patterns.

Jeremy has been a friend of the team longer than anyone, and has often joined us in camping trips, team expeditions, and much more. His capacity for problem solving, critical thinking, and idealogical growth makes him one of our best.