Today, Governor-elect Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor-elect Peggy Flanagan announced the opening of their transition office. Housed on the third floor of the Minnesota State Capitol, the office will be open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays, through Inauguration Day (excluding federal holidays). Not only will the office provide meeting and working space for the Governor- and Lieutenant Governor-elect, and staff, it will also give Minnesotans a chance to stop by the lobby, offer comments and feedback, apply for positions in the Administration, or request meetings.

Governor-elect Walz and Lieutenant Governor-elect Flanagan also announced that their transition website has gone live. The website includes their biographies, as well as information about applying for jobs in the Administration and submitting scheduling requests and comments. 

Finally, the Governor-elect and Lieutenant Governor-elect announced the appointment of key members of their gubernatorial transition team, including the naming of Lieutenant Governor-elect Peggy Flanagan as the Chair of the One Minnesota Transition Advisory Board. 

Walz said the Advisory Board will consist of voices from across the state who will provide counsel and advice over the next eight weeks until he is sworn in as Minnesota’s 41st Governor on January 7, 2019. 

“The solutions to Minnesota’s challenges will come from Minnesota’s citizens,” Walz said. “The One Minnesota Transition Advisory Board will help me find great candidates to fill important jobs in my Administration, help me shape our state’s budget for the next year, and bring the benefit of their diverse experience to bear on meeting the challenges our state faces.”  

Walz, who intends to announce specific members of the One Minnesota Transition Advisory Board over the coming days, said that the naming Lieutenant Governor-elect Peggy Flanagan to lead the Board was an easy decision.

“The diverse voices of Minnesotans are one of our greatest resources, and no one knows that better than Peggy,” Walz said.  “She will lead the Advisory Board with the same commitment to dialogue and inclusion that she brings to everything she does.” 

Walz also announced the appointment of Kristin Beckmann as the Executive Director of the State Agencies Transition Team. Beckmann will run a search process that will produce a qualified and diverse pool of applicants to fill important Commissioner and sub-Commissioner positions at state agencies. 

Beckmann, currently the Chief Operating Officer at the Center for Economic Inclusion, formerly served as the Deputy Mayor of the City of Saint Paul under Mayor Chris Coleman, where she led then-Mayor Coleman's Racial Equity Initiative to diversify the City's workforce. She was also Vice President of Programs & Services for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, and earlier worked for SEIU, a labor union largely representing women and recent immigrants striving for living wage jobs. She has extensive experience in governmental transition and large-scale recruitment and hiring, at both the state and local level. 

“Kristin has worked with city leaders, nonprofit leaders, union leaders, and community leaders across the state,” Walz said.  “She has the perfect background to help me fill important positions across state government.” 

Walz also announced the appointment of his incoming Chief of Staff, Chris Schmitter. Schmitter will begin that work on the transition, including the hiring of the Governor’s personal office staff. Schmitter, originally from Rochester, is an attorney with the Green Espel PLLP law firm, where he has litigated for public- and private-sector clients. A graduate of Georgetown University and the University of Minnesota Law School, he also served as a law clerk for Minnesota’s Chief U.S. District Court Judge, John Tunheim. He previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for the Governor-elect during his time in the United States House of Representatives, and as Campaign Manager to Mr. Walz’s first congressional re-election race in 2008. 

“I’ve known Chris for almost fifteen years, and have counted on him as a trusted friend, advisor, and leader during my time in public office,” Walz said. “There’s no one I trust more to manage my incoming administration, help resolve tough problems, and to get the proper pieces in place to ensure the efficient operation of state government.” 

Walz announced Kayla Castañeda as Communications Director for the transition. Castañeda served as the Communications Director for the Walz-Flanagan campaign. She previously served as the Communications Director for the DFL Party, and as Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and Deputy Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar. Originally from Minneapolis, she graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she served as the Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Cardinal independent student newspaper.

Walz said that additional staff appointments will be announced in the coming days.