Commissioners
Camille McArdle DVM
Term Expires: 6/30/2029
Dr. Camille McArdle was appointed as Chair to the Minnesota Racing Commission effective July 1, 2021. She began her involvement with the racing industry as a young adult by grooming and exercising horses at south Florida tracks. McArdle earned her doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1982 from The Ohio State University. Following graduation she served as the official regulatory veterinarian in Florida at Hialeah, Calder, and Gulfstream Park, as well as at the Pompano harness meet. In 1985, Dr. McArdle was recruited for the position of Chief Commission Veterinarian for the MRC to help get pari-mutuel racing started in this state, working in that capacity for eight years. She was appointed as a Commissioner in 1993 and has served on the MRC continuously since then. McArdle is approved by the American Kennel Club as a judge of show dogs. She has worked in private veterinary practice, in teaching, and recently retired from a shelter medicine position.
David Koob
Term Expires: 6/30/2028
David Koob became a member of the Minnesota Racing Commission in March 2022. Mr. Koob has over twenty years of civil and regulatory litigation experience and is currently employed by the prestigious Donna Law Firm, P.C. in Minneapolis. Born in North Dakota, he is a graduate of University of Minnesota Law School and served as an adjunct professor for over a decade at the Michell Hamline School of Law. Mr. Koob is also a member of the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers and volunteers as the vice president of Valley Athletic Association, a non-profit youth sports organization.
Barbara Colombo
Term Expires: 6/30/2027
Barbara Colombo, is a Professor and Director of the Health Care Compliance Certification Program at Mitchell Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, MN. She graduated with honors from William Mitchell College of Law and practiced with the law firm of Robins, Kaplan, Miller and Ciresi. Prior to her law career, Ms. Colombo practiced as a critical care registered nurse. She has also served as the Assistant Commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Health and is a former member of the Animal Humane Society focusing on equine matters. Ms. Colombo is the President of the Minnesota Horse Welfare Coalition and co-founded the Minnesota Hay Bank in 2012 which has dispersed over $40,000 of feed and other assistance to Minnesota’s most vulnerable horses.
Raymond Dehn
Term Expires: 6/30/2027
Prior to his election in 2012, Ray was active in his community, serving as a co-facilitator of the Northside Transportation Network, a member of Minneapolis’ Capital Long-range Improvement Committee, and as a leader of Take Action Minnesota’s Justice for All campaign. In addition, Ray is a 2012 Bush Fellow, a 2013 BILLD (Bowhay Institute Legislative Leadership Development) Fellow and a 2016 Henry Toll Fellow. Ray has served as the national president of the American Institute of Architecture Students and has twice served on the National Board of the American Institute of Architects.
Johnny Johnson
Term Expires: 6/30/2029
*Bio and picture pending*
Melanie Benjamin
Term Expires: 6/30/2029
*Bio and picture pending*