About Jonathan

A native North Dakotan, Jonathan resides in Grand Forks with his wife, Emily, and their three daughters.  Growing up in Grand Forks, Jonathan grew to love the Midwest and the people that comprised its fabric.  After high school, Jonathan began to work full-time in restaurants in the area, quickly ascending to the ranks of restaurant management as he found a passion for food, beverage, and memorable experiences.  Recognizing that this could be a career path, he eventually co-founded and opened The Toasted Frog restaurant in Grand Forks with his business partner and friend, Shawn Clapp.  Clapp and Holth eventually opened two more Toasted Frog locations in Bismarck and Fargo. In 2020, Jonathan became a partner in Urban Stampede Coffee Bar in downtown Grand Forks.  

A regular topic for Jonathan's speaking and coaching is his recovery journey.  Jonathan has been open and public about his alcoholism, and has regularly shared his story of eleven plus years of sobriety.  His recovery journey has shaped who he is today, and he uses his experiences of vulnerability, openness, shame, and stigma, to help people overcome issues that they are facing in their personal lives, organizations, and businesses.  Jonathan's willingness to openly share his story is what led to the genesis of his speaking career.

After becoming involved on a volunteer basis in local urban planning issues and business advocacy, Jonathan quickly became recognized as a leader in downtown advocacy in the state of North Dakota.  He is the co-founder and served as the inaugural board president of the Grand Forks Downtown Development Association, served on the board of directors of the Bismarck Downtowners Association, and later was appointed interim President and CEO of Fargo's Downtown Community Partnership.  He has worked with a number of communities in the upper Midwest to develop implementable and actionable plans for their downtowns and business districts.  

After founding Evvios Consulting in 2016, Jonathan began to serve more  business and community clients.  In 2018, he joined JLG Architects as the Community & Client Development Manager, and continues to serve in that role today.  

Holth's nonprofit consulting is a result of his longstanding commitment to serving others.  His work is bolstered by his extensive nonprofit experience on boards of directors.  He currently serves on the boards of The Empire Arts Center, the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation, The UND Alumni Association and Foundation, F5 Project, as well as on the advisory council for Xcel Energy of North Dakota.  

Holth and Clapp were selected as Small Business Persons of the Year for The Chamber of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks in 2012.  Additionally, Holth was a 4 under 40 recipient of the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals in 2015, and has been recognized as a 40 under 40 recipient by both Prairie Business Magazine and Business Watch Magazine.  In 2017, Holth was appointed by Governor Doug Burgum as one of 6 North Dakotans to serve on the inaugural advisory council for the Office of Recovery Reinvented, a role in which he continues today.