[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Board of Animal Health, Clean Water Council, Explore Minnesota Tourism Council, Governor’s Workforce Development Board, Governor’s Residence Council, Midwestern Higher Education Compact, State Advisory Council for Interstate Supervision of Juvenile Offenders and Runaways, and State Board of Physical Therapy.

Jessica Koppien-Fox – Marshall, MN

Board of Animal Health

Licensed Veterinarian Member

Effective: May 5, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Replacing: Matt Anderson

About the Board of Animal Health:

The Board of Animal Health carries out disease control programs for livestock and poultry. The Board protects animal health through education, collaboration, and disease prevention and response.

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

Steven Besser – Litchfield, MN

Clean Water Council

Fishing Organization Representative

Effective: May 5, 2021

Term Expires: January 1, 2024

Reappointment

Richard Biske – Lino Lakes, MN

Clean Water Council

Environmental Organization Representative

Effective: May 5, 2021

Term Expires: January 1, 2024

Replacing: Rylee Hince

Richard Brainerd – Mahtomedi, MN

Clean Water Council

City Government Representative

Effective: May 5, 2021

Term Expires: January 1, 2024

Reappointment

Kelly Gribauval-Hite – Pine City, MN

Clean Water Council

Business Organization Representative

Effective: May 5, 2021

Term Expires: January 1, 2024

Reappointment

Victoria Reinhardt – White Bear Lake, MN

Clean Water Council

Metro County Government Representative

Effective: May 5, 2021

Term Expires: January 1, 2024

Reappointment

Peter Schwagerl – Browns Valley, MN

Clean Water Council

Farming Organization Representative

Effective: May 5, 2021

Term Expires: January 1, 2024

Replacing: Robert Hoefert

Marcie Weinandt – Mounds View, MN

Clean Water Council

Watershed District Representative

Effective: May 5, 2021

Term Expires: January 1, 2024

Replacing: Pamela Blixt

About the Clean Water Council:

The Clean Water Council advises on the administration and implementation of the Clean Water Legacy Act. The Clean Water Council also makes biennial recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature on expenditures from the Clean Water Fund, which receives funding from the voter-approved Legacy Amendment sales tax.

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

Molly Luther – Park Rapids, MN

Explore Minnesota Tourism Council

Retail Representative

Effective: May 5, 2021

Term Expires: January 2, 2023

Replacing: Maya Hua

About the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council:

The Explore Minnesota Tourism Council serves the broader interests of tourism in Minnesota by promoting activities that support, maintain, and expand the state's domestic and international travel market, thereby generating increased visitor expenditures, tax revenue and employment.

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

Paul Pribbenow – Minneapolis, MN

Governor’s Workforce Development Board

President from a Private Postsecondary School Member

Effective: May 5, 2021

Term Expires: July 1, 2024

Reappointment

Michelle Ufford – Eveleth, MN

Governor’s Workforce Development Board

Representative of Secondary, Postsecondary, or Career-Technical Education

Effective: May 5, 2021

Term Expires: July 1, 2024

Replacing: Les Fujitake

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.

Dr. Fayneese Miller – St. Paul, MN

Governor’s Residence Council

Higher Education Member

Effective: May 5, 2021

Term: January 6, 2025

Reappointment

About the Governor’s Residence Council:

The Governor’s Residence Council is responsible for advising on the maintenance, decoration and furnishing of the Governor’s mansion. Additionally, the Council oversees the restoration for the residence and the surrounding grounds and approves alterations to the existing structure.

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

Michael Goh – Minneapolis, MN

Midwestern Higher Education Compact

At-Large Member

Effective: April 30, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Replacing: Karen Hanson

About the Midwestern Higher Education Compact:

The Midwestern Higher Education Compact brings together midwestern states to develop and support best practices, collaborative efforts, and cost-sharing opportunities. Through these efforts it works to ensure strong, equitable postsecondary educational opportunities and outcomes for all. MHEC is a 501(c)3 entity statutorily created in each of its member states which include: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Michael McGuire – North Mankato, MN

State Advisory Council for Interstate Supervision of Juvenile Offenders and Runaways

Governor’s Designee

Effective: May 5, 2021

Term Expires: January 2, 2023

About the State Advisory Council for Interstate Supervision of Juvenile Offenders and Runaways:

The Interstate Compact for Juveniles is a multi-state agreement that provides the procedural means to regulate the movement across state lines of juveniles who are under court supervision or need to be returned to their home states as runaways, escapees, absconders, or juvenile delinquents. The State Advisory Council for Interstate Supervision of Juvenile Offenders and Runaways oversees and administers the Minnesota’s participation in the Compact.

Pamela Peters – Savage, MN

State Board of Physical Therapy

Public Member

Effective: May 5, 2021

Term Expires: January 2, 2023

Replacing: Debra Newel

Allen Rasmussen – International Falls, MN

State Board of Physical Therapy

Public Member

Effective: May 5, 2021

Term Expires: January 2, 2023

Replacing: Abdiaziz Abdullahi Kadir

Neel Shah – Rochester, MN

State Board of Physical Therapy

Registered Doctor of Medicine

Effective: May 5, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Reappointment

Tanya Terman – Rochester, MN

State Board of Physical Therapy

Physical Therapist Member

Effective: May 5, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Replacing: Kimberly McGarry

About the State Board of Physical Therapy:

The State Board of Physical Therapy evaluates applicants for licensure, renews licenses for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, and enforces the Physical Therapy Practice Act.

Additional information about the State Board of Physical Therapy 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.