[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy; Board of Firefighter Training and Education; Board of Nursing, Board of Pharmacy; Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Authority; Governor’s Residence Council; Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission; Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing; Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Board; Minnesota Secure Choice Retirement Program Board of Directors; Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board; State Board of Physical Therapy; and State Competency Attainment Board.

Randy Stillday – Red Lake, MN
Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy
Public Member
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

About the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy:
The Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy regulates the practices of alcohol and drug counseling and professional counseling and professional clinical counseling in the State of Minnesota.

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

Robert Falcon – Rochester, MN
Board of Firefighter Training and Education
League of Minnesota Cities Representative
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

Kate McKay – Columbia Heights, MN
Board of Firefighter Training and Education
Minnesota State Fire Department Association Representative
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

Chad Vermeersch – Cloquet, MN
Board of Firefighter Training and Education
Minnesota Professional Firefighter Association Representative
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

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.

Additional information about the Board of Firefighter Training and Education can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Sandra Anderson – Wyoming, MN
Board of Nursing
Registered Nurse
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Replacing: Sarah Simons

Rhonda Johnson – Tyler, MN
Board of Nursing
Licensed Practical Nurse
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

Latasha Lee – Minneapolis, MN
Board of Nursing
Registered Nurse
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

Joseph Owen – Litchfield, MN
Board of Nursing
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

Cindy Petty – Hugo, MN
Board of Nursing
Registered Nurse working in a Nursing Home
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Replacing: Jane Teipel

About the Board of Nursing:
The Board of Nursing oversees and ensures the safe practice of nursing in Minnesota. The Board holds nurses accountable for conduct based on legal, ethical, and professional standards.

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

Michael Haag – Blaine, MN
Board of Pharmacy
Pharmacist
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

About the Board of Pharmacy:
The Board of Pharmacy regulates the pharmacy profession and the quality, labeling and distribution of drugs. It also administers the Minnesota Prescription Monitoring Program, the Minnesota Insulin Safety Net Program, and the Opiate Product Registration Fee Program.

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

Carli Amatuzio – Duluth, MN
Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Authority
Member
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: June 30, 2026
Replacing: Carrie Heffernan

Mary Finnegan – Duluth, MN
Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Authority
Member
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: June 30, 2026
Reappointment

Patrick Mullen – Duluth, MN
Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Authority
Member
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: June 30, 2026
Reappointment

Shane Peterson – Duluth, MN
Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Authority
Member
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: June 30, 2026
Replacing: Lynne Williams

About the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Authority:
The Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Authority oversees management of the business, property, and affairs of the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center.

Additional information about the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Authority can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Eric Hansen – Minneapolis, MN
Governor's Residence Council
American Institute of Architects Representative
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

Amelious Whyte – Minneapolis, MN
Governor's Residence Council
Public Member
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

About the Governor’s Residence Council:
The Governor’s Residence Council develops and implements an overall restoration plan for the Governor’s Residence and surrounding grounds, solicits and accepts contributions to restore, maintain, improve, decorate, and furnish the building, and approves alterations to the structure.

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

Elizabeth Huntley – Saint Paul, MN
Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission
Commissioner
Effective: January 12, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

About the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission:
The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission administers the rules, policies, and procedures of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, an agreement among participating U.S. states and territories to work together to significantly streamline the licensing process for physicians who want to practice in multiple states.

Additional information about the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission can be found here.

John Fechter – Wyoming, MN
Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing
At-large Member
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

About the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing:
The Minnesota 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.

Additional information about the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Naveen Aggarwal – Maple Grove, MN
Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Board
Member
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

Jacqueline Rambin – Apple Valley, MN
Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Board
Member
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

About the Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Board:
The Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Program is established to award grants to nonprofit corporations to fund loans to businesses owned by minority or low-income persons, women, veterans, and people with disabilities.

Additional information about the Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Board can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Alex West Steinman – Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota Secure Choice Retirement Program Board of Directors
Small Business Owner
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
New Seat

Robin Ritter – Maple Grove, MN
Minnesota Secure Choice Retirement Program Board of Directors
Human Resources Executive
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
New Seat

About the Minnesota Secure Choice Retirement Program Board of Directors:
The Minnesota Secure Choice Retirement Program Board of Directors is the policy-making function of the Secure Choice Retirement Program, which is intended to benefit employees in the private sector who have no opportunity to save for retirement through an employer-sponsored retirement plan.

Additional information about the Minnesota Secure Choice Retirement Program Board of Directors can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Amy Aho – Baxter, MN
Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board
Teacher in Related Services Category
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

Justin Hoelscher – Farmington, MN
Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board
Administrator of a Cooperative Unit Who Oversees a Special Education Program
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

About the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board:
The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board licenses teachers, establishes and maintains teacher licensure standards and requirements, establishes and enforces the Teacher Code of Ethics, approves and oversees teacher preparation providers and programs, and administers grants.

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

Maura Kelly – Maple Grove, MN
State Board of Physical Therapy
Physical Therapist
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

About the State Board of Physical Therapy:
The State Board of Physical Therapy evaluates applicants for licensure, renews annual 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.

Jacqueline Buffington – Duluth, MN
State Competency Attainment Board
Mental Health Professional with Experience in Competency Attainment
Effective: January 17, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

About the State Competency Attainment Board:
The State Competency Attainment Board creates and administers a statewide, independent competency attainment system that certifies competency attainment programs and uses forensic navigators to promote prevention and diversion of people with mental illnesses and cognitive impairments from entering the legal system. It also supports defendants with mental illness and cognitive impairments, supports defendants in the competency process, and assists courts and partners in coordinating competency attainment services.

Additional information about the State Competency Attainment 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  Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.