[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training, Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education, Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, Metropolitan Council, and the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind.

Cassandra Bautista – Eagan, MN
Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training
Public Member #2
Effective: June 30, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029

Tad Farrell – Floodwood, MN
Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training
Elected City Official
Effective: June 30, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029

Nigel Perrote – Minneapolis, MN
Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training
Public Member #4
Effective: June 30, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029

Shelly Schaefer – Apple Valley, MN
Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training
College Administrator
Effective: June 30, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029

About the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training:
The Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training licenses peace officers, establishes minimum qualifications and standards of conduct, and regulates professional peace officer education and continuing education.

Additional information about the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Samsoche Sampson – Grand Rapids, MN
Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education
Member #8
Effective: June 30, 2025
Term Expires: January 3, 2028

About the Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education:
The Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education has the powers necessary for the care, management, and control of the Perpich Center for Arts Education. The board is composed of 16 members, including the commissioner of education or a designee. The remaining 15 members are appointed by the Governor, including at least one member from each congressional district. A member may not serve more than two consecutive terms.

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

Shayna Karuman – Minneapolis, MN
Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans
Member #5
Effective: June 30, 2025
Term Expires: January 3, 2028

Eh Tah Khu – Saint Paul, MN
Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans
Member #3
Effective: June 30, 2025
Term Expires: January 3, 2028

Poh Lin Khoo – Woodbury, MN
Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans
Chinese Ancestry Group Representative
Effective: June 30, 2025
Term Expires: January 3, 2028

Karn Tintani – Richfield, MN
Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans
Member #1
Effective: June 30, 2025
Term Expires: January 3, 2028

About the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans:
The Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans work for the implementation of economic, social, legal, and political equality for its constituency.

Additional information about the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Mark Jenkins – Maplewood, MN
Metropolitan Council
District 12 Representative
Effective: July 9, 2025
Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Victor Obisakin – Saint Paul, MN
Metropolitan Council
District 15 Representative
Effective: July 9, 2025
Term Expires: January 4, 2027

About the Metropolitan Council:
The Metropolitan Council is a state-funded regional planning agency that serves the Twin Cities' seven-county metropolitan area. The council's mission is to work with local communities to guide growth and develop a comprehensive regional planning framework that focuses on transportation, wastewater, housing, parks, and aviation systems.

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

Steven Sawczyn – Richfield, MN
State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind
Rep Advocacy Org #1
Effective: June 30, 2025
Term Expires: January 3, 2028

About the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind:
The State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind advises the commissioner of Employment and Economic Development about programs of State Services for the Blind and performs other functions as provided in state and federal statute.

Additional information about the Statewide Rehabilitation Council for the Blind can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.