[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Board of Executives for Long-Term Services and Supports, Board of Occupational Therapy Practice, Board of School Administrators, Clean Water Council, Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, Minnesota State Arts Board, Public Employee’s Retirement Association, State Rehabilitation Council, and State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind.

Steven Chies – Coon Rapids, MN
Board of Executives for Long-Term Services and Supports
Manager or Owner of a Proprietary Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

Deb Stock – Maple Grove, MN
Board of Executives for Long-Term Services and Supports
Public Member
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

About the Board of Executives for Long-Term Services and Supports:
The Board of Executives for Long-Term Services and Supports licenses administrators of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, conducts studies of nursing home and assisted living administration, approves continuing education programs for administrators, and investigates complaints and allegations of rule violations.

Additional information about the Board of Executives for Long-Term Services and Supports can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Donna Coughlin – Rochester, MN
Board of Occupational Therapy Practice
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

Chad Kinart – Maple Grove, MN
Board of Occupational Therapy Practice
Public Member
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Replacing: Gregg Schaeppi

Stephanie Smith – Ham Lake, MN
Board of Occupational Therapy Practice
Occupational Therapist
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

About the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice:
The Board of Occupational Therapy Practice protects the public through effective licensure and enforcement of the statutes and rules governing the practice of occupational therapy to ensure a reasonable standard of competent and ethical practice.

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

Julie Le – Robbinsdale, MN
Board of School Administrators
Public Member
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Replacing: Louise Sundin

Melissa Schaller – White Bear Lake, MN
Board of School Administrators
Special Education Director Representative
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

About the Board of School Administrators:
The Board of School Administrators licenses school administrators across the state of Minnesota.

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

Steven Besser – Litchfield, MN
Clean Water Council
Statewide Fishing Organization Representative
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

Richard Biske – Lino Lakes, MN
Clean Water Council
Environmental Organization Representative
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

Richard Brainerd – Mahtomedi, MN
Clean Water Council
City Government Representative
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

Kelly Gribauval-Hite – Pine City, MN
Clean Water Council
Business Organization Representative
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

Peter Schwagerl – Browns Valley, MN
Clean Water Council
Farm Organization Representative
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

Marcie Weinandt – Mounds View, MN
Clean Water Council
Watershed District Representative
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

About the Clean Water Council:
The Clean Water Council advises on the administration and implementation of the Clean Water Legacy Act.

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

Suzanne Baird – Prior Lake, MN
Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council
Public Member
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Replacing: Ashley Peters

About the 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 that directly relate to the restoration, protection, and enhancement of wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitats for fish, game, and wildlife.

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

Jenny Arndt – Waseca, MN
Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities
Parent Member
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Reappointment

Christine McVey – Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities
State Agency Representative
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Reappointment

Jennifer Santema – Milaca, MN
Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities
Parent Member
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Reappointment

About the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities:
The Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities works to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families receive the necessary supports and services to achieve increased independence, productivity, self-determination, integration, and inclusion.

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

Carol Bruess – Saint Joseph, MN
Minnesota State Arts Board
Congressional District 6 Member
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
Replacing: Anthony Gardner

Michael Charron – Winona, MN
Minnesota State Arts Board
Congressional District 1 Member
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

Anthony Gardner – Eden Prairie, MN
Minnesota State Arts Board
Congressional District 3 Member
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Replacing: Nichole Mitchell

Philip McKenzie – Thief River Falls, MN
Minnesota State Arts Board
Congressional District 7 Member
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

Jose Michel – Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota State Arts Board
At-large Member
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

About the Minnesota State Arts Board:
The Minnesota State Arts Board encourages the creation, performance, and appreciation of the arts in the state.

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

Thomas Thornberg – East Bethel, MN
Public Employees Retirement Association
Retired Annuitant
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 31, 2028
Reappointment

About the Public Employees Retirement Association:
The Public Employees Retirement Association provides retirement, survivor, and disability benefits for public employees of county and local government.

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

Connie Berg – Red Lake, MN
State Rehabilitation Council
American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Project Representative
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
New Seat

Anne Robertson – Minneapolis, MN
State Rehabilitation Council
Client Assistance Project Representative
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Reappointment

James Ross – Red Wing, MN
State Rehabilitation Council
Business, Industry, and Labor Representative
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Replacing: Tyler Sadek

About the State Rehabilitation Council:
The State Rehabilitation Council is responsible for advising state government on the performance of Minnesota's Vocational Rehabilitation programs.

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

Connie Berg – Red Lake, MN
State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind
American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Project Representative
Effective: April 3, 2024
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Replacing: Gloria Lafriniere

About the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind:
The State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind advises the commissioner of Employment and Economic Development about programs of State Services for the blind and performs other functions as provided in State and Federal statute.

Additional information about the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind 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.