[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, the Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing, the Gambling Control Board, the Public Employees Retirement Association Board of Trustees, the Minnesota State Retirement System Board of Directors, the Board of High Pressure Piping Systems, and the Young Women’s Initiative Council.

David Hartwell – Minneapolis, MN

Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council

Public Member

Effective: March 30, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Reappointment

Jamie Swenson – Kasota, MN

Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council

Public Member

Effective: March 30, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Reappointment

Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council:

The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council makes recommendations to the Legislature on appropriations of money from the Outdoor Heritage Fund.

Additional information about the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

George Soule – Minneapolis, MN

Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board

Member

Effective: March 30, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Replacing: Gary Haugen

About the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board:

The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board manages the campaign finance registration and disclosure program for state level candidates, political party units, and political committees, the public subsidy program for candidates, the lobbyist registration and disclosure program, and the economic interest disclosure statement program required by public officials.

Additional information about the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin – Onamia, MN

Minnesota Housing Finance Agency

Public Member

Effective: March 30, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Reappointment

About the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency:

Minnesota Housing collaborates with individuals, communities, and partners to create, preserve, and finance affordable housing.

Additional information about the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Chandra Petersen – Kasota, MN

Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing

Southeast Advisory Committee Representative

Effective: March 30, 2021

Term Expires: January 1, 2024

Replacing: Lloyd Ballinger

Kathryn Rose – Fergus Falls, MN

Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing

Northwest Advisory Committee Representative

Effective: March 30, 2021

Term Expires: January 1, 2024

Reappointment

About the Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing:

The Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing serves as the principal agency of the State to advocate on behalf of the deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing Minnesotans by working to ensure those persons have equal access to the services, programs and opportunities available to others.

Additional information about the Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Karen Diver – Cloquet, MN

Gambling Control Board

Member

Effective: March 30, 2021

Term Expires: June 30, 2024

Replacing: William Goede

About the Gambling Control Board:

The Gambling Control Board regulates the lawful (charitable) gambling industry to ensure the integrity of operations and provide for the lawful use of net profits. The Board oversees an in-depth licensing process, monitoring of licensees’ gambling activities and expenditures, and providing education and guidance to lawful gambling organizations.

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

Barbara Johnson – Minneapolis, MN

Public Employees Retirement Association Board of Trustees

Representative of Minnesota Cities

Effective: March 30, 2021

Term Expires: January 31, 2025

Reappointment

Scott Schulte – Coon Rapids, MN

Public Employees Retirement Association Board of Trustees

Representative of Minnesota Counties

Effective: March 30, 2021

Term Expires: January 31, 2025

Replacing: Leigh Lenzmeier

About the Public Employees Retirement Association Board of Trustees:

The Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) provides retirement, survivor, and disability benefits for public employees of county and local government. PERA’s Board of Trustees manages the public employees’ retirement fund.

Additional information about the Public Employees Retirement Association Board of Trustees can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Michael Roelofs – White Bear Lake, MN

Minnesota State Retirement System Board of Directors

Member

Effective: March 30, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Reappointment

About the Minnesota State Retirement System Board of Directors:

The Minnesota State Retirement System Board of Directors is responsible for setting policies and overseeing the administration of all MSRS plans, including the Health Care Savings Plan and the Minnesota Deferred Compensation Plan.

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

Mark Kincs – Shakopee, MN

Board of High Pressure Piping Systems

Utility Company Representative

Effective: March 30, 2021

Term Expires: December 31, 2022

Replacing: Brett Kilbourne

About the Board of High Pressure Piping Systems:

The Board of High Pressure Piping Systems adopts rules for high pressure piping code for Minnesota, issues final interpretations of code when submitted to the board, and adopts rules to regulate high pressure piping licensure registration.

Additional information about the Board of High Pressure Piping Systems can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Julie Maday

Young Women's Initiative Council

Member

Effective: March 25, 2021

Term Expires: January 2, 2023

About the Young Women’s Initiative:

The Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota (YWI MN) is a partnership between the Governor’s Office, the Women’s Foundation, and the YWCA. The YWI MN includes a Cabinet, which is comprised of young women and gender-expansive youth aged 16-24, and an Executive Council, which is comprised of leaders from government, business, academia, philanthropy, and nonprofits.