On this page you will find the latest press releases and statements from the Office of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan.
3/1/2020 10:57:15 AM
[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Minnesota State Arts Board, the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission, the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy, the Minnesota Board on Aging, the Mineral Coordinating Committee, the State Guardian ad Litem Board, the Rural Health Advisory Committee, the State Rehabilitation Council, the Board of Psychology, the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine, and the Commission on Judicial Selection.
Anthony Gardner–St. Cloud, MN
Minnesota State Arts Board
Member
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 4, 2021
Replacing: David Glenn
About the Minnesota State Arts Board:
The Minnesota State Arts Board encourages the creation, performance, and appreciation of the arts in the state through administering a series of grants, programs, and services.
More information on the Minnesota State Arts Board can be found on the Secretary of State's website.
Ted Suss–Lucan, MN
Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission
Member Representing District 5
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 1, 2024
Replacing: Tom Schmitz
Jennifer Foley–St. Cloud, MN
Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission
At Large Member
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 1, 2024
Replacing: Jannik Anderson
Timothy Engrav–Britt, MN
Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission
Member Representing District 1
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 1, 2024
Reappointment
Matthew Hill–Breezy Point, MN
Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission
Member Representing District 2
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 1, 2024
Replacing: Rita Albrecht
Peg Furshong–Sacred Heart, MN
Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission
Member Representing District 3
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 1, 2024
Reappointment
About the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission:
The Commission, through a comprehensive, multi-step process, designates regionally significant parks and trails, enabling those facilities to apply for funding through the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. Currently there are 62 designated parks and trails in Greater Minnesota.
More information on the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission can be found on the Secretary of State's website.
Roy Kammer–Stacy, MN
Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy
Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 1, 2024
Reappointment
Amy Park Dols–Minneapolis, MN
Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy
Licensed Professional Counselor/Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 4, 2021
Replacing: Amy Robinson
Bharati Acharya–Minneapolis, MN
Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy
Licensed Professional Counselor/Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 1, 2024
Replacing: Walter Roberts Jr.
Jae Hyun Shim–Minneapolis, MN
Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy
Public Member
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 1, 2024
Reappointment
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.
More information on the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy can be found on the Secretary of State's website.
Ann Thole–Bloomington, MN
Minnesota Board on Aging
Member
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 1, 2024
Replacing: Lynnette Buckley
Linda Giersdorf–Mankato, MN
Minnesota Board on Aging
Member
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 1, 2024
Replacing: Cathleen Faruque
Kate Grathwol–Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota Board on Aging
Member
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 1, 2024
Replacing: Tashi Yangzom
Becky Olson-Kellogg–St. Louis Park, MN
Minnesota Board on Aging
Member
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 2, 2023
Replacing: Joseph Vaughan
Ann Bussey–Side Lake, MN
Minnesota Board on Aging
Member
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 2, 2023
Replacing: Harlan Tardy
About the Minnesota Board on Aging:
The Minnesota Board on Aging is the designated state agency on aging for Minnesota and administers federal and state funds to deliver a range of in-home and supportive services to older adults and their family caregivers. Its two direct service programs are the Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care and the Senior LinkAge Line. In addition, MN Board on Aging promotes state and local policies and programs to support older adults to age well and live well at home.
More information on the Minnesota Board on Aging can be found on the Secretary of State's website.
Matt Bryan–Prior Lake, MN
Mineral Coordinating Committee
Industrial Minerals Representative
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 2, 2023
Replacing: Fred Corrigan
John Arbogast–Eveleth, MN
Mineral Coordinating Committee
Labor Representative
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 1, 2024
Replacing: John Rebrovich
About the Mineral Coordinating Committee:
The Mineral Coordinating Committee is established to plan for diversified mineral development of the state's mineral economy through long-term support of mineral exploration, evaluation, environmental research, development, production, and commercialization.
More information on the Mineral Coordinating Committee can be found on the Secretary of State's website.
Thomas Brooks–Brooklyn Park, MN
State Guardian Ad Litem Board
Member
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 4, 2021
Replacing: Korina Barry
About the State Guardian ad Litem Board:
The State Guardian ad Litem Board creates and administers a statewide independent guardian ad litem program to advocate for the best interests of children, minor parents, and incompetent adults in juvenile and family court cases; approves and recommends to the Legislature a budget for the board and the guardian ad litem program; and establishes guardian ad litem program standards, administrative policies, procedures, and rules .
More information on the State Guardian ad Litem Board can be found on the Secretary of State's website.
Raymond Christensen–Duluth, MN
Rural Health Advisory Committee
Higher Education Representative
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 1, 2024
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.
More information on the Rural Health Advisory Committee can be found on the Secretary of State's website.
Shelly Weaver–Naytahwaush, MN
State Rehabilitation Council
Representative of American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Project
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 3, 2022
Replacing: Connie Lee Berg
Rebecca Puchtel–Elk River, MN
State Rehabilitation Council
Disability Advocacy Group Representative
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 2, 2023
Reappointment
Joshua Berg–Elko New Market, MN
State Rehabilitation Council
Governor's Workforce Development Council Representative
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 2, 2023
Replacing: Steven Ditschler
Barb Ziemke–Minneapolis, MN
State Rehabilitation Council
Parent Training Center Representative
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 2, 2023
Reappointment
Linda Lingen–St. Paul, MN
State Rehabilitation Council
Statewide Independent Living Council Representative
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 2, 2023
Replacing: Anita Olson
About the State Rehabilitation Council:
The State Rehabilitation Council provides counsel and advice to Minnesota’s Vocational Rehabilitation program. Council members play an active role in making program performance and policy decisions. They collaborate with vocational rehabilitation leadership and staff to shape priorities, assess needs, convene public forums, measure customer satisfaction, and produce an annual report on the status of the VR program.
More information on the State Rehabilitation Council can be found on the Secretary of State's website.
Joel Bakken–Moorhead, MN
Board of Psychology
Masters Level Psychologist
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 2, 2023
Replacing: Ann Williams-Wengerd
Sonal Markanda–Shakopee, MN
Board of Psychology
Doctoral Level Psychologist
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 1, 2024
Replacing: Scott Fischer
About the Board of Psychology:
The Minnesota Board of Psychology protects the public through licensure, regulation and education to promote access to safe, competent, and ethical psychological services.
More information on the Board of Psychology can be found on the Secretary of State's website.
Jody Grote–Richfield, MN
Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine
Public Member
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 1, 2024
Reappointment
About the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine:
The Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine licenses and regulates veterinarians, registers veterinary corporations, and investigates complaints against veterinarians and unlicensed persons practicing veterinary medicine.
More information on the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine can be found on the Secretary of State's website.
Shawn Judge–Minneapolis, MN
Non-Attorney Member
Commission on Judicial Selection
Effective: May 6, 2020
Expires: January 2, 2023
Replacing: Erick Garcia Luna
About the Commission on Judicial Selection:
The Commission on Judicial Selection solicits, considers, and recommends candidates to the Governor for vacancies in the District Courts and the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals. The Commission is tasked with identifying candidates with “integrity, maturity, health if job related, judicial temperament, diligence, legal knowledge, ability and experience, and community service.” The Commission is comprised of nine at-large members, including the Chair, and four district members from each of the ten Judicial Districts. The Commission’s members are appointed by the Governor and Minnesota Supreme Court.
For more information on the Commission on Judicial Selection, please visit our website: https://mn.gov/governor/administration/judicialappointments/
For more information about board and commission appointments, please visit our website: