[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council, the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, the Board of Nursing, the Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind, and the Board of Water and Soil Resources.

Christy Caez Claudio – Minneapolis, MN

Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council

Member

Effective: July 1, 2021

Term Expires: July 1, 2023

Reappointment

Pamela Peters – Savage, MN

Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council

Member

Effective: July 1, 2021

Term Expires: July 1, 2023

Reappointment

Tom Reed – Minneapolis, MN

Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council

Member

Effective: July 1, 2021

Term Expires: July 1, 2023

Replacing: Alison Canty

Kenneth Trebelhorn – Waseca, MN

Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council

Member

Effective: July 1, 2021

Term Expires: July 1, 2023

Replacing: Lisa Juliar

About the Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council:

The Minnesota STAR Program’s mission is to help all Minnesotans with disabilities gain access to and acquire the assistive technology they need to live, learn, work and play. The Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council provides the STAR program with consumer-responsive, consumer-driven advice for planning, implementing, and evaluating assistive technology activities.

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

Laura Beeth – Minneapolis, MN

Governor’s Workforce Development Board

Business Representative

Effective: June 1, 2021

Term Expires: July 1, 2024

Reappointment

William McCarthy – St. Paul, MN

Governor’s Workforce Development Board

Labor Organization Representative

Effective: June 1, 2021

Term Expires: July 1, 2024

Reappointment

Eric Nesheim – St. Paul, MN

Governor’s Workforce Development Board

Adult Basic Education Representative

Effective: June 1, 2021

Term Expires: July 1, 2024

Reappointment

Scott Parker – Mazeppa, MN

Governor’s Workforce Development Board

Labor Organization Representative

Effective: June 1, 2021

Term Expires: July 1, 2024

Reappointment

Jeffrey Rainey – Minneapolis, MN

Governor’s Workforce Development Board

Business Representative

Effective: June 1, 2021

Term Expires: July 1, 2024

Replacing: Rick Trontvet

About the Governor’s Workforce Development Board:

The Governor’s Workforce Development Board, or 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.

Julie Frederick – Mankato, MN

Board of Nursing

Registered Nurse Member with Baccalaureate Nursing Education Experience

Effective: June 1, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Reappointment

Rui Pina – Minneapolis, MN

Board of Nursing

Registered Nurse Member

Effective: June 1, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Reappointment

Laurie Warner – North Branch, MN

Board of Nursing

Public Member

Effective: June 1, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Reappointment

About the Board of Nursing:

The Minnesota Board of Nursing oversees and assures the safe practice of nursing in Minnesota by holding nurses accountable for conduct based on legal, ethical, and professional standards.

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

Joseph Clubb – Burnsville, MN

Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities

Member

Effective: June 1, 2021

Term Expires: January 3, 2022

Replacing: Kyle Lipinski

About the Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities:

The Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities advises and assists the ombudsman in developing policies, plans and programs to benefit persons with mental illness, developmental disabilities, chemical dependence, and emotional disturbance.

Additional information about the Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Frank Eller – Little Canada, MN

State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind

Current or Former Applicant for or Recipient of Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Effective: June 1, 2021

Term Expires: January 1, 2024

Replacing: Patricia McGee

Catalina Martinez – Minneapolis, MN

State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind

Representative of an Advocacy Organization

Effective: June 1, 2021

Term Expires: January 1, 2024

Reappointment

About the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind:

The State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind’s duties include advising the Commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development about programs of State Services for the Blind (SSB), coordinating between SSB and centers for independent living, and advising the Governor on vocational rehabilitation programs.

Additional information about the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Eunice Biel – Harmony, MN

Board of Water and Soil Resources

Township Officer

Effective: June 1, 2021

Term Expires: January 1, 2024

Replacing: Nathan Redalen

Kelly Kirkpatrick – Rochester, MN

Board of Water and Soil Resources

Elected City Official

Effective: June 1, 2021

Term Expires: January 2, 2023

Replacing: Todd Holman

LeRoy Ose – Thief River Falls, MN

Board of Water and Soil Resources

Watershed District Representative

Effective: June 1, 2021

Term Expires: January 3, 2022

Replacing: Harvey Kruger

About the Board of Water and Soil Resources:

The Board of Water and Soil Resources works to improve and protect Minnesota’s water and soil resources by working in partnership with local organizations and private landowners. The agency is responsible for accomplishing various land and water protection, habitat restoration, and clean water programs and projects in collaboration with local governments statewide.

Additional information about the Board of Water and Soil Resources 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.