Michael Bjornberg

Michael Bjornberg is a nationally recognized Historic Building Specialist and Senior Project Manager at LEO A DALY, with over 35 years of experience specializing in the preservation and restoration of civic, public, and academic facilities across the United States. His notable work includes historic landmarks such as the University of Notre Dame’s Main Administration Building and Football Stadium, the American Swedish Institute, St. Paul Union Depot, Rehabilitation of the Air Force Academy Chapel, work at the U.S. Capitol Complex, and the ongoing restoration of the Minnesota State Capitol. Beyond his project work, Michael contributes to the field through leadership and education, serving on the American Swedish Institute Collections Committee and as an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota College of Design. Renowned for his collaborative approach, he also engages in strategic campus planning and has spoken at conferences nationwide.
Photograph of  Michael  Bjornberg

Melanie McMahon

Melanie McMahon serves as the Executive Project Lead for Redevelopment for the City of Saint Paul, driving progress on several multi-acre key real estate projects in the City that are in various stages of development, including the Highland Bridge, the Heights, and United Village sites. She coordinates work between City Departments on large redevelopment projects, oversees the implementation of redevelopment agreements and public/private partnerships, and works with community organizations on the impacts of large development sites in surrounding neighborhoods. 
 
Melanie began her career as an attorney at the law firm of Rider Bennett LLP, representing clients as a litigator in commercial defense cases, and then worked in the MN House of Representatives as the Administrator of the Public Safety Finance Division, managing the budget bills of the Division that totaled nearly $2 billion and advised the Division Chair on the political, legal, and fiscal impacts on hundreds of proposed bills. She has served as a Community Services Attorney in the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, as well as Legislative Aide in the Saint Paul City Council Ward 3 Office. Melanie is an active member of her community, volunteering as Board President of the Highland District Council, a Commissioner on the Saint Paul Planning Commission, Vice-Chair of the Capital Improvement Budget Committee of Saint Paul, and currently serves as Board Member of the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library.
Photograph of  Melanie   McMahon

Joe Favour

Advisor
Joe Favour is the newly appointed Advisor to the CAAPB by the MN State Arts Board. Joe is an Associate Professor in Practice of Landscape Architecture at the University of Minnesota (U of M) and maintains a limited professional practice in Minneapolis. Joe has over 27 years of professional experience in both private practice and academia. He served as Head of the U of M Landscape Architecture Department from 2015 to 2022 and as an Associate Professor in Practice since 2011. Prior to that, Joe worked as an Adjunct Assistant Professor and a licensed landscape architect with several Minnesota firms. Read more about Joe Favour on the UMN website. 
Photograph of  Joe   Favour