[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review, Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, Metropolitan Area Water Supply Policy Advisory Committee, Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Board, Minnesota State Arts Board, Minnesota Zoological Board, and Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities.

Nicholas Grundhauser – Cottage Grove, MN
Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review
Member Representing Law Enforcement
Effective: July 1, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029

Butch Huston – St. Paul, MN
Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review
Physician who is a Medical Examiner
Effective: July 1, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029

Lee Martie – Anoka, MN
Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review
County Attorney who Works on Child Protection Cases
Effective: July 1, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029

Lisa Salo – Esko, MN
Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review
Current Child Protection Supervisor for Local Welfare Agency
Effective: July 1, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029

Amanda Schonhardt – Glenwood, MN
Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review
Current Child Protection Supervisor for Local Welfare Agency
Effective: July 1, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029

Christine Tack – Glencoe, MN
Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review
County or Tribal Public Health Worker
Effective: July 1, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029

About the Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review:
The Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review looks at critical incidents attributed to child maltreatment. The purpose of the panel is to identify systemic changes to improve child safety and well-being and recommend statutory, rule, policy, and procedure changes.

Additional information about the Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review can be found on the Secretary of State’s website .

Elijah Daniel – Eagan, MN
Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee
Youth Member #6
Effective: July 7, 2025
Term Expires: January 3, 2028

Jason Everson – Tracy, MN
Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee
Member #11
Effective: July 7, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029

Dora Facundo – West St. Paul, MN
Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee
Youth Member #4
Effective: July 7, 2025
Term Expires: January 3, 2028

Julian Nyene – Minneapolis, MN
Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee
Youth Member #5
Effective: July 7, 2025
Term Expires: January 3, 2028

About the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee:
The Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee is the supervisory board for the federal Juvenile Justice Program with respect to preparation and administration of the state plan and award of grants.

Additional information about the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee can be found on the Secretary of State’s website .

Steve Bot – St. Michael, MN
Metropolitan Area Water Supply Policy Advisory Committee
Official from Wright County
Effective: July 7, 2025
Term Expires: January 3, 2028

Marcus Culver – Brooklyn Park, MN
Metropolitan Area Water Supply Policy Advisory Committee
Non-Local Government Unit in Metropolitan Area Representative #2
Effective: July 7, 2025
Term Expires: January 3, 2028

Gary Gray – Clear Lake, MN
Metropolitan Area Water Supply Policy Advisory Committee
Official from Sherburne County
Effective: July 7, 2025
Term Expires: January 3, 2028

David Strub – Hugo, MN
Metropolitan Area Water Supply Policy Advisory Committee
Non-Local Government Unit in Metropolitan Area Representative #1
Effective: July 7, 2025
Term Expires: January 3, 2028

About the Metropolitan Area Water Supply Policy Advisory Committee:
The Metropolitan Area Water Supply Policy Advisory Committee oversees water supply planning and implementation for metropolitan area communities.

Additional information about the Metropolitan Area Water Supply Policy Advisory Committee can be found on the Secretary of State’s website .

Nicole Deters – Chanhassen, MN
Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Board
Member #12
Effective: July 7, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029

Avi Olitzky – St. Louis Park, MN
Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Board
Member #10
Effective: July 7, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029

Dipesh Patel – Plymouth, MN
Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Board
Member #11
Effective: July 7, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029

About the Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Board:
The Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Board is established to award grants to nonprofit corporations to fund loans to businesses owned by minority or low-income persons, women, veterans, and people with disabilities.

Additional information about the Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Board can be found on the Secretary of State’s website .

Mary Ann Aufderheide – Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota State Arts Board
Member-Congressional District 5
Effective: July 7, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029

Richard Cohen – St. Paul, MN
Minnesota State Arts Board
Member-Congressional District 4
Effective: July 7, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029

About the Minnesota State Arts Board:
The Minnesota State Arts Board encourages the creation, performance, and appreciation of the arts in the state. It is dedicated to making the arts available to all Minnesotans. The development of the arts is fostered through a series of grants, programs, and services which are administered by a professional staff.

Additional information about the Minnesota State Arts Board can be found on the Secretary of State’s website .

Jose Gabriel Acosta-Reyes – Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota Zoological Board
Member #2
Effective: July 7, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029

Beth Forsythe – Edina, MN
Minnesota Zoological Board
Member #13
Effective: July 7, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029

Emily Nachtigal – Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota Zoological Board
Member #4
Effective: July 7, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029

About the Minnesota Zoological Board:
The Minnesota Zoological Board is responsible for supervision and control of the Minnesota Zoological Garden.

Additional information about the Minnesota Zoological Board can be found on the Secretary of State’s website .

Robert James Haight – Faribault, MN
Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
Medical Review Subcommittee (MRS Member D)
Effective: July 7, 2025
Term Expires: January 3, 2028

Hanna Miller – Perham, MN
Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
Health Care Provider Member
Effective: July 7, 2025
Term Expires: January 3, 2028

Paul Younge – St. Anthony Village, MN
Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
Consumer Representative C
Effective: July 7, 2025
Term Expires: January 4, 2027

About the Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities:
The Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities advises and assists the ombudsperson in developing policies, plans, and programs to benefit persons with mental illness, developmental disabilities, chemical dependence, and emotional disturbance.

Additional information about the Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities can be found on the Secretary of State’s website .

The Governor and Lieutenant Governor are seeking qualified and diverse individuals who are passionate about using their knowledge, skills, and lived experiences to serve the state of Minnesota. A list of boards and commissions, including open positions, can be found on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.