[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, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Center for Rural Policy and Development, Home Care Orientation Trust, and the State of Minnesota Board of Public Defense.

Emma Orfield-Johnson – Minneapolis, MN
Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education
Member #10
Effective: June 18, 2025
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Replacing: Yolonde Adams-Lee

Nikki McComb – Minneapolis, MN
Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education
Member #15
Effective: June 18, 2025
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Replacing: Julie Workman

Deborah Moen – Cokato, MN
Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education
Member #12
Effective: June 18, 2025
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Replacing: Molly Chase

Becky Melville – Apple Valley, MN
Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education
Member #2
Effective: June 18, 2025
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Replacing: Linda Brobeck

About the Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education:
The Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education cares for, manages, and controls the Perpich Center for Arts Education.

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

Mark Zabel – Victoria, MN
Board of Water and Soil Resources
Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor #3
Effective: June 18, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029
Reappointment

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. The board’s mission is to improve and protect Minnesota’s water and soil resources by working in partnership with local organizations and private landowners. 

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

Maryse Birr – Saint Paul, MN
Center for Rural Policy and Development
Private Foundation Rep #2
Effective: June 18, 2025
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Replacing: Anna Boroff

Martha Castanon – Moorhead, MN
Center for Rural Policy and Development
Private Foundation Rep #3
Effective: June 18, 2025
Term Expires: January 6, 2031
Reappointment

Hahn Chang – Minneapolis, MN
Center for Rural Policy and Development
Business Rep #2 – Retail or Service
Effective: June 18, 2025
Term Expires: January 6, 2031
Replacing: Jennifer Cady

Briana Mumme – Franklin, MN
Center for Rural Policy and Development
Regional Initiative Organization
Effective: June 18, 2025
Term Expires: January 6, 2031
Replacing: Christina Bowstring

Bradford Pieper – Brainerd, MN
Center for Rural Policy and Development
Business Rep #3 – Rural Manufacturing
Effective: June 18, 2025
Term Expires: January 6, 2031
Replacing: Dave Ladd

Tim Velde – Granite Falls, MN
Center for Rural Policy and Development
Farmers Union Rep
Effective: June 18, 2025
Term Expires: January 6, 2032
Reappointment

About 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 can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Alexandra Bartolic – Little Canada, MN
Home Care Orientation Trust
Trustee #1 – State Appointed
Effective: June 18, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029
Reappointment

Charles Johnson – Bloomington, MN
Home Care Orientation Trust
Trustee #2 – State Appointed
Effective: June 18, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029
Reappointment

Alexandra Kotze – Saint Paul, MN
Home Care Orientation Trust
Trustee #3 – State Appointed
Effective: June 18, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029
Reappointment

About the Home Care Orientation Trust:
The Home Care Orientation Trust is a fund that provides training to individual providers of direct support services.

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

Prince Corbett – Saint Paul, MN
State of Minnesota Board of Public Defense
Public Member #1
Effective: June 18, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029
Reappointment

About the State of Minnesota Board of Public Defense:
The Minnesota Board of Public Defense approves and recommends a budget to the Legislature, and establishes procedures for distribution of state funding for the board, the Office of State Public Defender, the judicial district public defenders, and the public defense corporations. The board also appoints the State Public Defender and all Chief Public Defenders of Judicial Districts.

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