[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy, the Capitol Art Exhibit Advisory Committee, the Center for Rural Policy and Development Board of Directors, the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority, the Minnesota Racing Commission, the Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Board, the Rural Health Advisory Committee, and the State Advisory Council on Mental Health.

Rachel Dame – Minneapolis, MN

Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy

Public Member

Effective: July 6, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Replacing: Jesse Winkler 

About the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy:

The Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy regulates the practices of alcohol and drug counseling, professional counseling, and professional clinical counseling in the State of Minnesota. The Board carries out its mission through effective licensure and enforcement of statutes and rules that ensure a standard of competent and ethical practice.

Additional information about the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy can be found on the Secretary of State’s website. 

Jennifer O'Malley – St. Paul, MN

Capitol Art Exhibit Advisory Committee

Public Member

Effective: July 6, 2021

Term Expires: January 7, 2025

Replacing: Sharon Nordrum

About the Capitol Art Exhibit Advisory Committee:

The Capitol Art Exhibit Advisory Committee advises and makes recommendations to the State Capitol Preservation Commission on temporary art exhibits in the Capitol’s gallery spaces. The Committee receives proposals from Minnesota artists, art organizations, and other individuals, and prepares a list of recommendations for consideration by the Commission. 

Additional information about the Capitol Art Exhibit Advisory Committee can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Reed Anfinson – Benson, MN

Center for Rural Policy and Development Board of Directors

Business Representative

Effective: July 6, 2021

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Reappointment 

Anna Boroff – Burnsville, MN

Center for Rural Policy and Development Board of Directors

Private Foundation Representative

Effective: July 6, 2021

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Reappointment

Patrick Costello – Lakeville, MN

Center for Rural Policy and Development Board of Directors

Private Foundation Representative

Effective: July 6, 2021

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Reappointment 

About the Center for Rural Policy and Development:

The Center for Rural Policy and Development is a non-partisan, not-for-profit policy research organization dedicated to benefiting Minnesota by providing its policy makers with unbiased information and evaluation of issues from a rural perspective.

Additional information about the Center for Rural Policy and Development Board of Directors can be found on the Secretary of State’s website. 

Katie McDermott – St. Paul, MN

Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities

Consumer Member

Effective: July 6, 2021

Term Expires: January 1, 2024

Replacing: Stacey Nelson

About the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities:

The Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities works to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families receive the necessary supports and services to achieve increased independence, productivity, self-determination, integration, and inclusion in their community. 

Additional information about the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Ralph Jacobson – St. Paul, MN

Governor's Workforce Development Board

Business Representative

Effective: July 6, 2021

Term Expires: July 1, 2024

Replacing: Valerie Jensen 

Lance Louis – Cold Spring, MN

Governor's Workforce Development Board

Business Representative

Effective: July 6, 2021

Term Expires: July 1, 2024

Replacing: Kelly Hansen

About the Governor’s Workforce Development Board:

The Governor’s Workforce Development Board (GWDB) is Minnesota’s federally required state workforce development board under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The GWDB is tasked with advising the Governor, state agencies, and the Legislature on issues related to the state’s public workforce development system, along with overseeing the state’s four-year WIOA State Plan.

Additional information about the Governor’s Workforce Development Board can be found on the Secretary of State’s website. 

Mary Yang Thao – Circle Pines, MN

Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority

Member

Effective: July 6, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Replacing: Mark Misukanis

About the Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority:

The Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority assists not-for-profit institutions of higher education in the construction, financing, and refinancing of projects. 

Additional information about the Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority can be found on the Secretary of State's website.

Trahern Pollard – Brooklyn Center, MN

Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee

Member

Effective: July 6, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Replacing: Raj Sethuraju 

About the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee:

The Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee is the supervisory board for the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s (OJJDP) Title II Juvenile Justice Program with respect to preparation and administration of the state plan and award of grants. This committee oversees Minnesota’s compliance with the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). The Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee provides leadership and support in setting a vision for juvenile justice in Minnesota that is informed by evidence-based practices, multi-disciplinary experience and the diverse communities of Minnesota.

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

Barbara Colombo – Hastings, MN

Minnesota Racing Commission

Member

Effective: July 6, 2021

Term Expires: June 30, 2027

Reappointment

Raymond Dehn – Minneapolis, MN

Minnesota Racing Commission

Member

Effective: July 6, 2021

Term Expires: June 30, 2027

Reappointment 

About the Minnesota Racing Commission:

The Minnesota Racing Commission provides regulatory oversight for live horse racing and wagering, online wagering, and card clubs at both of Minnesota’s racetracks. Commission duties include licensing, tax auditing, operation of breeding incentive programs, equine health and welfare compliance, and wagering investigations.

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

Leigh Johnson – Rochester, MN

Minnesota Zoological Board

Member

Effective: July 6, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Reappointment

About the Minnesota Zoological Board:

The Minnesota Zoological Board is responsible for supervision and control of the Minnesota Zoo. 

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

Representative Joe Schomacker – Luverne, MN

Rural Health Advisory Committee

House Minority Party Representative

Effective: July 6, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Reappointment

About the Rural Health Advisory Committee:

The Rural Health Advisory Committee advises the Commissioner of Health and other state agencies on rural health issues. 

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

Commissioner Mandy Meisner – Anoka, MN

State Advisory Council on Mental Health

County Commissioner

Effective: July 6, 2021

Term Expires: January 1, 2024

Replacing: Jim McDonough

Eren Sutherland – Minneapolis, MN

State Advisory Council on Mental Health

Representative of the Minnesota Disability Law Center

Effective: July 6, 2021

Term Expires: January 1, 2024

Replacing: Patricia Siebert

About the State Advisory Council on Mental Health:

The State Advisory Council on Mental Health is charged with making recommendations to the governor, Legislature and state departments on mental health policies, programs and services. 

Additional information about the State Advisory Council on Mental Health can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Apee Ochudho – Farmington, MN

Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Board

Member

Effective: July 6, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Replacing: Nawal Noor 

Gloria Howard – Fridley, MN

Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Board

Member

Effective: July 6, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Replacing: Tim O’Neil

About the Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Program:

The Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Program 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.

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.