Born 1948, Robbinsdale; University of Minnesota (B.A. Political Science, 1970); University of Minnesota Law School (Law Degree, 1973); attorney for Department of Agriculture, Livestock Sanitary Board, Veterinary Examining Board, and Horticultural Society (1973-1975); Assistant Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (1975-1977); Chairman of the Minnesota Water Planning Board and Chairman of the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association and the Red River Water Resources Council (1977-1983); Chairman of the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board and Director of the Environmental Division of the State Planning Agency (1983-1984); Executive Director, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (1984-87); Director, State Planning Agency (1983-84); Chair, State Water Planning Board (1977-83); Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture (1975-77); Asst. Attorney General (1973-75); married, two children. Appointed November 16, 1987; elected 1990, 1996, 2002, 2008.