[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Minnesota Forest Resources Council, Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, Higher Education Facilities Authority, Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Supports, Governor’s Council on an Age-Friendly Minnesota, Governor’s Children’s Cabinet Advisory Council, Public Employees Retirement Association Board of Trustees, Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education, Minnesota Foundation for Student Organizations Board of Directors, Rural Finance Authority Board, Board of Firefighter Training and Education, State Arts Board, Board of Water and Soil Resources, and Board of Dentistry.

Tim Wegner – International Falls, MN
Minnesota Forest Resources Council
Labor Organization Representative
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 2, 2023
Replacing: John Fryc

About the Minnesota Forest Resources Council:
The Minnesota Forest Resources Council develops and recommends sustainable forest policies, practices, and plans that balance the economic, environmental, and social values of the state’s forest resources.

Visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information.

The Honorable Anne McKeig – St. Paul, MN
Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee
Member
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Replacing: The Honorable Michael Meyer

Scott Knight – Chaska, MN
Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee
Member
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Reappointment

Sterling Knox – Bemidji, MN
Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee
Member
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Replacing: Rachel Prudhomme

About the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee:
The Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee is the supervisory board for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s (OJJDP) Title II Juvenile Justice Program with respect to preparation and administration of the state plan and award of grants. The Committee oversees Minnesota’s compliance with the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). The Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee provides leadership and support in setting a vision for juvenile justice in Minnesota that is informed by evidence-based practices, multi-disciplinary experience, and the diverse communities of Minnesota.

Visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information.

Peter Bakken – Garretson, MN
Minnesota Environmental Quality Board
Public Board Member
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Replacing: Alan Forsberg

Joseph Bauerkemper – Duluth, MN
Minnesota Environmental Quality Board
Public Board Member
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Replacing: Bryan Murdock

Rylee Hince – Mendota Heights, MN
Minnesota Environmental Quality Board
Public Board Member
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Replacing: Kristen Eide-Tollefson

About the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board:
The Minnesota Environmental Quality Board includes the heads of nine state agencies and public board members from around the state. The Board provides leadership and coordination across state agencies on priority environmental issues, serves as a locus for public engagement, and oversees the state’s Environmental Review program. The Board carries out a diverse range of projects aimed at shaping environmental policy and programs and engaging Minnesotans.

Visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information.

Nancy Sampair – St. Paul, MN
Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority
Member
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Reappointment

Mikeya Griffin – St. Paul, MN
Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority
Member
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Replacing: Michael Ranum

About the Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority:
The Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority assists institutions of higher education in the construction, financing, and refinancing of projects.

Visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information.

Debra Stock – Maple Grove, MN
Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Supports
Public Member
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 1, 2024
Replacing: Vanessa Allmon

Drew Hood – Mankato, MN
Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Supports
Assisted Living Director
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
New Seat

Jonathan Lundberg – Ramsey, MN
Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Supports
Nonprofit Nursing Home Administrator
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Replacing: Jennifer Pfeffer

About the Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Supports:
The Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Supports works to protect the public by regulating the practice of nursing home administrators and assisted living directors and investigating and resolving complaints against administrators, health services executives, and assisted living directors.

Visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information.

Gita Ghei – St. Paul, MN
Capitol Art Exhibit Advisory Committee
Public Member
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 7, 2025
Replacing: Jeni O’Malley

About the Capitol Art Exhibit Advisory Committee:
The Capitol Art Exhibit Advisory Committee advises and makes recommendations to the State Capitol Preservation Commission on temporary art exhibits in the Capitol’s gallery spaces. The Committee receives proposals from Minnesota artists, art organizations, and other individuals, and prepares a list of recommendations for consideration by the Commission.

Visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information.

Russell Pointer, Sr. – Lakeville, MN
Governor’s Council on an Age-Friendly Minnesota
Member
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: June 30, 2024
Replacing: Anthony Taylor

Michelle Stender – Duluth, MN
Governor’s Council on an Age-Friendly Minnesota
Member
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: June 30, 2024
Replacing: Debra Howze

About the Governor’s Council on an Age-Friendly Minnesota:
The Governor’s Council on an Age-Friendly Minnesota works to elevate the voice of older adults in developing the vision and action plan for an age-friendly state. The Council also works to engage with community, identify opportunities for and barriers to collaboration and coordination among services and state agencies, promote equity and make progress towards equitable outcomes, and catalyze age-friendly work at the local level.

Visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information.

Tiffany Kong – St. Paul, MN
Governor’s Children’s Cabinet Advisory Council
Member
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: April 3, 2023
Replacing: Bharti Wahi

About the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet Advisory Council:
The Governor’s Children’s Cabinet Advisory Council, along with the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care, created through Executive Order 19-34 makes recommendation to the Children’s Cabinet. The Advisory Council has an important role in community engagement and bringing family and community voice to the cross-agency efforts of the Children’s Cabinet. Learn more at the Children’s Cabinet website .

Visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information.

Kathryn Green – Austin, MN
Public Employees Retirement Association Board of Trustees
Representative of School Boards
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 31, 2026
Reappointment

About the Public Employees Retirement Association Board of Trustees:
The Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) provides retirement, survivor, and disability benefits for public employees of county and local government. PERA’s Board of Trustees manages the public employees’ retirement fund.

Visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information.

Ronald Salazar – Andover, MN
Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education
Member
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Replacing: Mikal Nabors

About the Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education:
The Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education, 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.

Visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information.

Bradley Vieths – Duluth, MN
Minnesota Foundation for Student Organizations Board of Directors
Business, Industry, and Labor Representative - Technical/Industrial
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 1, 2024

Jessica Cabeen – Austin, MN
Minnesota Foundation for Student Organizations Board of Directors
Education Representative - Middle School Administrator
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Brady Malecha – Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota Foundation for Student Organizations Board of Directors
Business, Industry, and Labor Representative - Health Occupations
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 6, 2025

About the Minnesota Foundation for Student Organizations Board of Directors:
The Minnesota Foundation for Student Organizations Board of Directors promotes and supports career and technical student organizations as they work to provide student opportunities for leadership, personal development, community service, and career preparation.

Visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information.

Harold Wolle, Jr. – Madelia, MN
Rural Finance Authority Board
Public Member
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Reappointment

Shelly DePestel – Lewiston, MN
Rural Finance Authority Board
Public Member
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Reappointment

About the Rural Finance Authority:
The Minnesota Rural Finance Authority (RFA) offers low-interest loan programs to farmers for a wide variety of activities. The RFA partners with local lenders to provide affordable credit to eligible farmers.

Visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information.

Dean Wrobbel – Annandale, MN
Board of Firefighter Training and Education
Minnesota Home Rule Charter and Statutory Cities Representative
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Reappointment

Vance Bachmann – Perham, MN
Board of Firefighter Training and Education
Minnesota Towns Representative
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Replacing: Reno Wells

About the Board of Firefighter Training and Education:
The Board of Firefighter Training and Education supports firefighter training and education and works to fund standardized training and through licensing of the firefighters in Minnesota.

Visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information.

Visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information.

Carly Johnson – Oak Park Heights, MN
Board of Water and Soil Resources
Metropolitan Area Elected City Official
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 2, 2023
Replacing: Andrea Date

About the Board of Water and Soil Resources:
The Board of Water and Soil Resources oversees and coordinates the water and soil resources management activities of local units of government through approval of local plans, administration of state grants, cost-sharing contracts, performance evaluation, and administrative appeals and hearings.

Visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information.

Trina Courtright – Isanti, MN
Board of Dentistry
Dental Hygienist
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
Replacing: Priscilla Flynn

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.

Visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information.

Syeda Sabeen Zehra – Maple Grove, MN
Governor’s Interagency Coordinating Council on Early Childhood Intervention
Parent Member
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 1, 2024
Replacing: Christy Caez Claudio

About the Governor’s Interagency Coordinating Council on Early Childhood Intervention:
The Governor’s Interagency Coordinating Council on Early Childhood Intervention advises and assists the Minnesota Department of Education with fulfilling federal and state Early Childhood Special Education obligations for children with disabilities ages 0 up to kindergarten entrance and their families.

Visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information.

Myrna Peterson – Grand Rapids, MN
Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council
Member
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: July 1, 2023
Replacing: Christy Caez Claudio

About the Assistive Technology Advisory Council:
The Minnesota STAR Program’s mission is to help all Minnesotans with disabilities gain access to and acquire the assistive technology they need to live, learn, work, and play. The Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council provides the STAR program with consumer-responsive, consumer-driven advice for planning, implementing, and evaluating assistive technology activities.

Visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information.

Sally Prouty – Shoreview, MN
Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing
Member
Effective: May 4, 2022
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
Replacing: Xavier Arana

About the Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing:
The Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing serves as the principal agency of the State to advocate on behalf of the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing Minnesotans by working to ensure those persons have equal access to the services, programs, and opportunities available to others.

Visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information.

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.