[ST. PAUL, MN]— Today, Governor-elect Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor-elect Peggy Flanagan announced key members of the gubernatorial transition office to lead the process of appointing Commissioners for the various State Agencies. The transition office Hiring Directors are responsible for guiding applicants for Commissioner through the Governor-elect’s appointment process. They will work hand-in-hand with the One Minnesota Transition Advisory Board.

“The number of people who are stepping forward to be a part of the Walz-Flanagan Administration is amazing,” Walz said. “I am honored by all of you who want to serve your state. Our Hiring Directors are working hard to field all those offers of service and discover others who want to help us build One Minnesota.”

Hiring Directors are fielding applicants, reaching out to stakeholder groups, and broadcasting that everyone interested in applying has to submit their application materials through the email found at mn.gov/tim-walz/careers.

“Every Minnesotan interested in applying for a role in our administration will go in through the front door,” Flanagan said. “Governor-elect Walz, the Hiring Directors, the Transition Advisory Board, and I are going to work hard to unearth new talent and make sure every Minnesotan who is interested in serving our state knows where to find that door.”

Hiring Directors, who are supervised by State Agency Executive Director Kristin Beckmann, for the Walz-Flanagan gubernatorial transition office are:

Carl Dennis is the State Agency Hiring Coordinator. Prior to working at Dorsey & Whitney LLP, he worked for Mayer Brown LLP in Washington, DC.

Craig McDonnell is focused on the Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Environmental Quality Board, Minnesota’s Pollution Control Agency, and the Public Utilities Commission. McDonnell currently serves as the Director of Government Relations at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and previously worked in the Office of Congressman Tim Walz.

Erin Bailey is focused on the Departments of Health and Human Services. Bailey has worked in health care and social policy her entire career, serving in leadership roles at the Aspen Institute in Washington, DC, the U.S. Senate, and currently at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in Saint Paul, MN.

Luchelle Stevens is focused on the Department of Human Rights, Military Affairs, Public Safety, and Veterans Affairs. Stevens previously served as the chief of staff at the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Stevens is a Gulf War veteran.

Marcus Schmit is focused on the Departments of Education and Corrections as well as the Office of Higher Education. Schmit is the director of advocacy for Second Harvest Heartland, a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College and the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

Meredith Vadis is focused on the Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Airports Commission, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, and the Metropolitan Council. Vadis is currently on leave from her position as the Deputy Regional Administrator of the Metropolitan Council, where she oversees the Council’s centralized administrative services.

Pahoua Yang Hoffman is focused on the Departments of Commerce, Employment and Economic Development, Labor and Industry, and the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board. Yang Hoffman is the seventh executive director of the Citizens League, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that has developed and implemented nonpartisan policies on education, effective governance, taxes, parks and open space, transportation and other issues.

Toni Newborn is focused on the Departments of Administration, Management and Budget, Revenue, the Bureau of Mediation Services, and MN Information Technology Services. Newborn is a Human Resources professional with years of experience in the cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Currently she works for Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter as the Chief Equity Officer.

Candidates are encouraged to submit their application materials for leadership positions within the Executive Branch at mn.gov/tim-walz/careers