Walz, Flanagan Announce Appointments

[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage, Board of Dentistry, Board of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice, Governor’s Workforce Development Board, Minnesota Zoological Board, State Rehabilitation Council, State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind, and Statewide Independent Living Council.

Elizabeth Eckman – St. Paul, MN
Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans
Korean Ancestry Group Member
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 2, 2023
Replacing: Grace Lee

Bryan Thao Worra – Minneapolis, MN
Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans
At-Large Member
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Reappointment

About the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans:
The Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans advises the Governor and the Legislature on issues pertaining to Minnesotans of Asian-Pacific ancestry and in doing so, advocates on behalf of this community on legislative and administrative matters within state government.

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

Abdirahman Dahir – Minneapolis, MN
Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage
Member
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Replacing: Nerita Hughes

Nerita Hughes – Minnetonka, MN
Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage
Member
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 1, 2024
Replacing: Quinton Bonds

About the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage:
The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage advises the Governor and the Legislature on issues confronting the constituency of the Council, legislative changes needed to improve the economic and social condition of the constituency of the Council, and implications and effects of proposed administrative and legislative changes on the constituency of the Council.

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

Heidi Donnelly – Crosby, MN
Board of Dentistry
Dental Assistant
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Reappointment

Hassan Ismail – Medina, MN
Board of Dentistry
Dentist
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Reappointment

About the Board of Dentistry:
The Board of Dentistry licenses and regulates dentists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants. The Board maintains integrity and safety in the profession of dentistry by setting licensing standards, monitoring compliance, developing continuing education and competency standards, and working with the public to address complaints regarding conduct and care.

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

Susan Estes – Minneapolis, MN
Board of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice
Public Member
Effective: February 8, 2022
Term Expires: August 1, 2025
Replacing: Margaret Schreiner

Marjory Humbert – Champlin, MN
Board of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice
Licensed Dietician
Effective: February 8, 2022
Term Expires: August 1, 2024
Replacing: Rebecca Fliszar

About the Board of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice:
The Board of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice licenses dietitians and nutritionists, investigates violations, conducts hearings, and adopts rules.

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

Kyle Van Acker – Ham Lake, MN
Governor’s Workforce Development Board
Community-Based Organization Representative
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: July 1, 2023

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 Board can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Anna Boroff – Burnsville, MN
Minnesota Zoological Board
Member
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Reappointment

Beth Forsythe – Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota Zoological Board
Member
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
Replacing: Chang Wang

Barry Landy – Golden Valley, MN
Minnesota Zoological Board
Member
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Replacing: Sarah Psick

Hue Nguyen – Apple Valley, MN
Minnesota Zoological Board
Member
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Replacing: Mike Erlandson

About the Minnesota Zoological Board:
The Minnesota Zoological Board is responsible for supervision and control of the Minnesota Zoo.

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

Scott Berscheid – Mayer, MN
State Rehabilitation Council
Business, Industry, and Labor Representative
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
Replacing: Chase Foreman

Michael Etten – Shoreview, MN
State Rehabilitation Council
Current or Former Applicant for or Recipient of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
Reappointment

James Houston – Burnsville, MN
State Rehabilitation Council
Business, Industry, and Labor Representative
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
Replacing: Thomas DeVita

Addyson Moore – Red Wing, MN
State Rehabilitation Council
Disability Advocacy Group Representative
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
Reappointment

Trevor Turner – Minneapolis, MN
State Rehabilitation Council
Current or Former Applicant for or Recipient of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 2, 2023
Replacing: AnaRose Hart-Thomas

Shelly Weaver – Naytahwaush, MN
State Rehabilitation Council
American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Project Representative
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
Reappointment

Michael Windsperger – Lake Crystal, MN
State Rehabilitation Council
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Member
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
Replacing: Leann Kleaver

Kyle Van Acker – Ham Lake, MN
State Rehabilitation Council
Governor’s Workforce Development Board Representative
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 2, 2023
Replacing: Joshua Berg

About the State Rehabilitation Council:
The State Rehabilitation Council’s duties include guiding decisions about Minnesota’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS), coordinating between VRS and centers for independent living and other state councils with interest in issues pertaining to disability and employment, and reporting to the Governor and the U.S. Department of Education on the status of vocational rehabilitation programs.

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

Jessica Fordyce – Minneapolis, MN
State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Member
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
Replacing: Mark Groves

Michael O’Day – Minneapolis, MN
State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind
Business, Industry, and Labor Representative
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 1, 2024
Reappointment

Kristina Petronko – Minneapolis, MN
State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind
Client Assistance Program Representative
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
Reappointment

Judy Sanders – Minneapolis, MN
State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind
Statewide Independent Living Council Representative
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 1, 2024
Reappointment

Ryan Strunk – Minneapolis, MN
State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind
Advocacy Organization Representative
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
Reappointment

Trevor Turner – Minneapolis, MN
State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind
DeafBlind Community Representative
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
Replacing: Jessica Eggert

Kyle Van Acker – Ham Lake, MN
State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind
Governor’s Workforce Development Board Representative
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 1, 2024
Replacing: Dennis Siemer

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.

Judy Sanders – Minneapolis, MN
Statewide Independent Living Council
Member
Effective: February 2, 2022
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
Reappointment

About the Statewide Independent Living Council:
The Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) works collaboratively with the Centers for Independent Living to create, monitor, review, and evaluate the State Plan for Independent Living. SILC coordinates activities with other entities in the state that provide services similar or complementary to independent living services.

Additional information about the Statewide Independent Living Council 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.