Andrew Nygaard new reporter for The Holyoke Enterprise

Andrew Nygaard returned to hometown Holyoke in late July and began his duties as a reporter for The Holyoke Enterprise last week.

A 2005 graduate of Holyoke High School, Nygaard earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and in history from the University of Colorado-Boulder in 2009.

For just over eight years, Nygaard was employed in Greeley by TTEC Holdings, a business process outsourcing company that was licensed for insurance business in all U.S. states except one.

Within the company, he was promoted to service delivery manager last September, managing a department of up to 130 insurance-licensed customer service representatives and their supervisors.

When COVID-19 erupted, Nygaard got most employees to work from home if they could. He found that his job had changed drastically and when his apartment lease was up in June, he decided it was time to relocate.

Nygaard acknowledges that most of his vacations found him returning to Holyoke to visit family. “If you can go where your vacation site is and live there — why not?”

“The longer you’re away, the more you miss it,” he added.

Nygaard fills the position vacated by Jes-c French when she accepted an English teaching position with Haxtun High School.

French did a phenomenal job for the Enterprise for the past three and a half years and is missed, noted publisher Brenda Brandt.

She added that she is extremely pleased that the timing worked so nicely for Nygaard returning to the community and seeking employment, as his skill-set and knowledge of the area are a great fit for the reporting position.

Nygaard said he is excited to become reacquainted with the community as there have been so many changes. “I’m excited to tell the community’s stories, and I think my background in writing will help with that,” he added.

He is pleased to return to the community where his parents, Dr. David and Vicki Nygaard, as well as his two sisters live. He added he looks forward to watching his nephew grow up.

Nygaard enjoys golfing and arrowhead hunting. He is an avid reader and enjoys all board games — especially chess.

Nygaard and his girlfriend, Aaron Johnson, are settling in in Holyoke with their two cats, Rachel and Penny, who are excited to be out of an apartment.