ST. PAUL - Commissioner Spencer Cronk announced the appointment of Kathleen Kolbeck to serve on the State Designer Selection Board. Kolbeck's appointment was endorsed by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Minnesota. The term is for the period January 7, 2013 to January 2, 2017.

Kolbeck has more than 30 years of experience as an electrical engineer, project manager, and engineering principal. Her engineering experience encompasses the design of lighting, power distribution, and communications systems for aviation, commercial, industrial, hospitality, healthcare, and higher education facilities. In 2011, Kolbeck retired as President and Chief Executive Officer of Dunham Associates, an engineering consulting firm in Minneapolis.

The seven-member board selects primary designers through a qualification-based selection process for proposed state agency construction projects with an estimated cost greater than $2 million, or planning projects with estimated fees greater than $200,000. The board also recommends two finalist primary designers to the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities for construction or remodeling projects estimated at greater than $2 million or planning projects with estimated fees greater than $200,000. The Commissioner of Administration appoints new members to the board as outlined in Minnesota Statutes16B.33