[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Center for Rural Policy and Development, Governor’s Advisory Council on Climate Change, Governor’s Council on Connected and Automated Vehicles, Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council, Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority, and Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.

Graciela Bloch – Burnsville, MN
Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson
Attorney Who Works in the Juvenile Court System or Family Court
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
New Seat

Shawna Bullen-Fairbanks – Bemidji, MN
Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson
Youth Who Is Currently in the Foster Care System or Who Was Recently in the Foster Care System
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
New Seat

Jasmine Clark – Duluth, MN
Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson
Adult Who Was in the Foster Care System as a Youth
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
New Seat

Sage Desai – Fridley, MN
Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson
Youth Who Is Currently in the Foster Care System or Who Was Recently in the Foster Care System
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
New Seat

Ziigwan Frazer – Grand Rapids, MN
Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson
Adult Who Was in the Foster Care System as a Youth
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
New Seat

Melinda Doms – Montrose, MN
Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson
Guardian ad Litem Who is Currently Appointed to Protect the Interests of Minors in Cases in the Juvenile Court System
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
New Seat

Nia Dyer – Moorhead, MN
Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson
Youth Who Is Currently in the Foster Care System or Who Was Recently in the Foster Care System
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
New Seat

Deddtrease Edwards – Richfield, MN
Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson
Youth Who Is Currently in the Foster Care System or Who Was Recently in the Foster Care System
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
New Seat

Ariana Guerra – Coon Rapids, MN
Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson
Nonprofit Professional Who Works at a Nonprofit Serving Foster Youth
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
New Seat

Lacey Hubert – Moorhead, MN
Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson
Social Worker Who Works in the Juvenile Justice System or Family Court
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
New Seat

Lucina Kayee – Saint Paul, MN
Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson
Adult Who Was in the Foster Care System as a Youth
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
New Seat

Elena Leomi – Minneapolis, MN
Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson
Nonprofit Professional Who Works at a Nonprofit Serving Foster Youth
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
New Seat

Kristine Snyder – Richfield, MN
Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson
Nonprofit Professional Who Works at a Nonprofit Serving Foster Youth
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
New Seat

Izavella Wagner – Maple Lake, MN
Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson
Youth Who Is Currently in the Foster Care System or Who Was Recently in the Foster Care System
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
New Seat

DeShawn Woods – Saint Paul, MN
Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson
Adult Who Was in the Foster Care System as a Youth
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
New Seat

About the Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson:
The Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson makes recommendations to the foster youth ombudsperson and staff while continuously overseeing the foster youth ombudsperson’s work.

Additional information about the Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

James McClean – Saint Paul, MN
Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Reappointment

About the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board:
The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board is responsible for architecture, urban design, and comprehensive land-use planning in the capitol area of St. Paul, exercising zoning and design review authority, and overseeing redevelopment of the north Capitol area.

Additional information about the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Samuel Hansen – New Ulm, MN
Center for Rural Policy and Development
Rural County Government Representative
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: January 1, 2029
Replacing: Timothy Houle

Carolyn Olson – Cottonwood, MN
Center for Rural Policy and Development
Farm Bureau Representative
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: January 1, 2029
Replacing: Kevin Paap

Jessica Seibert – Aitkin, MN
Center for Rural Policy and Development
Regional County Government Representative
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: January 1, 2029

Replacing: Mark PhillipsAbout the Center for Rural Policy and Development:
The Center for Rural Policy and Development identifies social and economic issues in rural Minnesota and, through alliances and partnerships, provides research and information on current issues and practical solutions for problems.

Additional information about the Center for Rural Policy and Development can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Kelly Applegate – Princeton, MN
Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Replacing: Khalif Bashir

Peter Aube – Bemidji, MN
Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Replacing: Mike Birkeland

Mindy Granley – Duluth, MN
Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Replacing: Christopher Clark

J. Drake Hamilton – Saint Paul, MN
Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Replacing: Eric Dayton

Hilda Martinez Salgado – Minneapolis, MN
Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Reappointment

Josiah McClellan – Arden Hills, MN
Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Replacing: Wayne Dupuis

Ann Mulholland – Saint Paul, MN
Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Reappointment

Micah Niermann – Minneapolis, MN
Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Reappointment

Bethany Owen – Duluth, MN
Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Replacing: Marco Hernandez

Kevin Pranis – Saint Paul, MN
Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Reappointment

Alex Savelli – Edina, MN
Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Replacing: Lucinda Johnson

Anne Schwagerl – Browns Valley, MN
Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Reappointment

David Sunderman – Madison Lake, MN
Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Reappointment

Luisa Trapero – Saint James, MN
Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Replacing: Alexandra Klass

About the Governor’s Advisory Council on Climate Change:
The Governor’s Advisory Council on Climate Change identifies opportunities for, and barriers to, the development and effective implementation of policies and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote climate change resiliency.

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

Hannah Alstead – Minneapolis, MN
Governor's Council on Connected and Automated Vehicles
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Replacing: Amber Backhaus

Ryan Daniel – Saint Cloud, MN
Governor's Council on Connected and Automated Vehicles
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Reappointment

Neal Foster, Jr. – Eagan, MN
Governor's Council on Connected and Automated Vehicles
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Replacing: Dan Chen

Phil Magney – Minnetonka, MN
Governor's Council on Connected and Automated Vehicles
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Reappointment

Myrna Peterson – Grand Rapids, MN
Governor's Council on Connected and Automated Vehicles
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Reappointment

Damien Riehl – Saint Paul, MN
Governor's Council on Connected and Automated Vehicles
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Reappointment

Kyle Shelton – Minneapolis, MN
Governor's Council on Connected and Automated Vehicles
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Reappointment

Bret Weiss – Golden Valley, MN
Governor's Council on Connected and Automated Vehicles
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Reappointment

Patrick Weldon – Medina, MN
Governor's Council on Connected and Automated Vehicles
Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: April 4, 2027
Reappointment

About the Governor's Council on Connected and Automated Vehicles:
The Governor’s Council on Connected and Automated Vehicles reviews developments in connected and automated vehicle technology and intelligent and emerging transportation technology, explores partnership opportunities to remain prepared for the widespread adoption of new technologies, and proposes policies to safely test and deploy connected and automated vehicles.

Additional information about the Governor's Council on Connected and Automated Vehicles can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Harmony Kuller – Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council
Public Member
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: June 30, 2025
Reappointment

Nicole Peterson – Maplewood, MN
Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council
Program Representative
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: June 30, 2025
New Seat

About the Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council:
The Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council provides consumer-responsive, consumer-driven advice to the state for the planning of, implementation of, and evaluation of activities carried out under the federal Assistive Technology Act grant.

Additional information about the Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Julia Nelmark – Detroit Lakes, MN
Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority
Member with Expertise in Financing Projects at a Community Bank, Credit Union, Community Development Institution, or Local Government
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
New Seat

About the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority:
The Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority is charged with accelerating the deployment of clean energy projects, greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects, and other qualified projects through the strategic deployment of public funds in the form of grants, loans, credit enhancements, and other financing mechanisms.

Additional information about the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Brandee Shoemaker – Montevideo, MN
Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board
Teacher outside the seven-county metro area
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
New Seat

Glazell Toledo – Brooklyn Park, MN
Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board
Teacher within the seven-county metro area
Effective: November 1, 2023
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
New Seat

About the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board:
The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) is responsible for licensing teachers. The board evaluates candidates for compliance with statutory or rule requirements for licensure and develops licensure verification requirements.

Additional information about the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board 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  Secretary of State’s website.