[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced appointments to the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Council on Information Technology. Additionally, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor have designated current Technology Advisory Committee member Rick King to continue as the Blue Ribbon Council’s Chair.

The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Council on Information Technology is an advisory group to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor made up of experts on development and implementation of IT in private and public institutions. The Council provides advice on how to update and maintain the State’s IT systems to ensure that Minnesota residents and businesses who interact with the State receive the best possible service. The Blue Ribbon Council was established in February 2019 through Executive Order 19-02 and continued in June 2020 through Executive Order 20-77.

The six members appointed to the Blue Ribbon Council today are:

Tom Butterfield – Edina, MN

EVP & CIO, TCF Bank

Effective: October 14, 2020

Expires: February 28, 2021

Reappointment

Renee Heinbuch – Stillwater, MN

IT Director, Washington County

Effective: October 14, 2020

Expires: February 28, 2021

Reappointment

Theresa Wise – Rosemount, MN

Former CIO, Delta Airlines & NW Airlines

Effective: October 14, 2020

Expires: February 28, 2021

Reappointment

Edmund Clark – Minneapolis, MN

CIO & Chief Digital Officer, University of St. Thomas

Effective: October 14, 2020

Expires: February 28, 2021

Replacing: Michael McCullough

Rosann Cahill – St. Paul, MN

Senior Digital Product Manager, Star Tribune Media

Effective: October 14, 2020

Expires: February 28, 2021

Replacing: Tewodros Bekele

Vincent Cabansag – St. Paul, MN

Director of Technology, Clockwork

Effective: October 14, 2020

Expires: February 28, 2021

Replacing: Nancy Lyons

The Blue Ribbon Council is an expansion of the existing Technology Advisory Committee. By statute, the members of the Technology Advisory Committee include eight members who have public-sector and one member with private-sector IT experience.

Rick King, EVP, Thomson Reuters (Chair)

Margaret Anderson Kelliher, MN Department of Transportation

Steve Grove, MN Department of Employment and Economic Development

Eric Hallstrom, MN Management & Budget

Lee Ho, MN Department of Revenue

Chuck Johnson, MN Department of Human Services

Kassie Church, MN Association of Professional Employees

Jason Lenz, Association of MN Counties

Laurie Martinson, MN Department of Natural Resources

In addition to the 15 voting members above, the Blue Ribbon Council includes four ex officio non-voting members from the Legislature, appointed by each caucus’ respective leader. Those appointments include:

Representative Kristin Bahner

Senator Mark Koran

Representative Jim Nash

Senator Melissa Wiklund

More information on Governor Walz’s appointments to boards and commissions can be found on the Governor’s Office website.