[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education, the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council, the Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, and the Statewide Independent Living Council.

Steven Anderson – Merrifield, MN

Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education

Member

Effective: May 19, 2021

Term Expires: January 2, 2023

Replacing: Janeen Carey

LaTia Childers – Plymouth, MN

Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education

Member

Effective: May 19, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Replacing: Gregory Winter

Pasha Khosravi – Bloomington, MN

Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education

Member

Effective: May 19, 2021

Term Expires: January 2, 2023

Replacing: Michael Wilhelmi

Sally Grans Korsh – Minneapolis, MN

Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education

Member

Effective: May 19, 2021

Term Expires: January 2, 2023

Replacing: Nathan Coulter

Leslie LeCuyer – Pine City, MN

Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education

Member

Effective: May 19, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Reappointment

Yolonde Lee – St. Peter, MN

Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education

Member

Effective: May 19, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Replacing: Thomas Surprenant

About the Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education:

The Perpich Center for Arts Education Board of Directors, consisting of 16 members, is responsible for policy and fiscal oversight of agency management and operations including a public residential arts high school, a statewide arts lending library, and professional development and resource programs. The Perpich Center provides all Minnesota students the opportunity to develop, enhance, and integrate their artistic and academic abilities to their highest potential.

Additional information about the Perpich Center for the Arts Board of Directors can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Benya Kraus – Waseca, MN

Governor's Workforce Development Board

Community-Based Organization Representative

Effective: May 19, 2021

Term Expires: December 31, 2021

Replacing: Steven Ditschler

Suyapa Miranda – St. Paul, MN

Governor's Workforce Development Board

Non-Voting Community-Based Organization Representative

Effective: May 19, 2021

Term Expires: January 1, 2023

Replacing: Pakou Hang

Tuleah Palmer – Cass Lake, MN

Governor's Workforce Development Board

Community-Based Organization Representative

Effective: May 19, 2021

Term Expires: July 1, 2024

Reappointment

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.

Steven Olson – Buffalo, MN

Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council

Member

Effective: May 19, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Replacing: Matthew Wolle

Christopher Ovrebo – Savage, MN

Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council

Member

Effective: May 19, 2021

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Reappointment

About the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council:

The Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council (MAELC) provides leadership to promote and expand agricultural education in Minnesota. MAELC administers multiple grant programs for agricultural, food and natural resource (AFNR) education at all levels. MAELC also supports activities to increase awareness for agricultural education, including strategies to recruit and retain agricultural teachers and increase access to AFNR programming.

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

Lisa Harvey – Spring Valley, MN

Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities

Member

Effective: May 19, 2021

Term Expires: January 2, 2023

Replacing: Patricia Jensen

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.

Lisa Harvey – Spring Valley, MN

Statewide Independent Living Council

Member

Effective: May 19, 2021

Term Expires: January 3, 2022

Replacing: Nichole Meyer

Haley Kimmet – Minneapolis, MN

Statewide Independent Living Council

Member

Effective: May 19, 2021

Term Expires: January 1, 2024

Replacing: Joshua Berg

About the Statewide Independent Living Council:

The Minnesota Statewide Independent Living Council (MNSILC) works collaboratively with the Centers for Independent Living to create, monitor, review and evaluate the State Plan for Independent Living. MNSILC 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.