Chip Rankin recently took the position of Pequot Lakes High School principal. Former principal John McDonald left earlier this summer after 13 years with the district to become the superintendent of the Kingsland School District in Spring Valley.

Charles "Chip" Rankin is the new Pequot Lakes High School principal and, possibly unlike some of his students, he is excited for the school year to begin.

Chip just completed his first week on the job and said it's going well so far.

"It's been great. I've met some great staff, parents and some of the student athletes who are already here practicing," he said.

Chip is coming to the lakes area from Bemidji, where he spent the past year as the assistant high school principal.

He and his wife, Rebecca, wanted to live north of Brainerd for many years and while they enjoyed living in Bemidji, they have family in Motley and Brainerd.

"This position opened up, and it is closer to our families. And I did some research on Pequot Lakes, and I was impressed with the school. It was a great opportunity," Chip said.

One thing he said he is very passionate about is challenging students.

"I believe that we should be challenging each student enough in order for them to be prepared for college or the global work economy. We have that capability here," Chip said.

One of the big reasons the Rankins wanted to live in the area is their love of nature and the outdoors.

During his youth, Chip spent time fishing in the area lakes, and he still loves fishing today. He also enjoys camping, bow hunting, four wheeling and snowmobiling.

"If you can do it outdoors, I like it," he said.

Chip and Rebecca, along with their two children, Nathan, 6, and Rachel, 2, will make the move to the area. They recently rented a house, and Nathan is registered at Eagle View Elementary School as a first-grader and Rachel likely will participate in some Early Childhood Family Education programming, her dad said.

Chip grew up in Little Falls and graduated from high school in 1993. He attended Itasca Community College, where he earned his associate degree and played football and wrestled.

He received a biology degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Chip joined the National Guard in 1994, and was in ROTC while in college.

"I wanted to serve, but I wanted to go to college, too," he said.

Chip spent time as a teacher in Litchfield and then was the assistant principal and principal at Mora High School.

While working, Chip earned his master's degree in curriculum from St. Mary's and his administration degree from St. Cloud State.

In March of 2006 through August of 2007, Chip was a company commander in Fallujah, Iraq, and he is still in the National Guard with the rank of major.