Commissioners
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*
Lisa Goodman
Term Expires: 6/30/2031
Lisa Goodman was appointed to the Minnesota Racing Commission in March, 2014 and also serves on the Administrative Affairs Committee. She is a native of Chicago, Illinois, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Political Science and Labor Relations. Ms. Goodman is currently an elected member of the Minneapolis City Council, representing the 7th ward, and is the Chairperson of the City Council's Community Development and Regulatory Services Committee. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Family Housing Fund, Meet Minneapolis, Midwest Legacy Fund, and Dog Grounds LLC which she founded to build off-leash dog parks in downtown Minneapolis.
Whitney Place
Term Expires: 6/30/2031
*Bio and picture pending*
Michael Vekich
Term Expires: 6/30/2031
*Bio and picture pending*