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Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan Announce Appointments

Government and Politics

April 19, 2024

From: Minnesota Governor Timothy James Walz

Saint Paul, MN - Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan April 19, 2024 announced the following appointments to the Clean Water Council, Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission, Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Committee, Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, Rural Health Advisory Committee, State Rehabilitation Council, and the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind.

Trista Martinson – Saint Paul, MN

Clean Water Council

County Government Representative

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 3, 2028

Replacing: Victoria Reinhardt

About the Clean Water Council:

The Clean Water Council advises on the administration and implementation of the Clean Water Legacy Act.

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

Timothy Engrav – Britt, MN

Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission

District 1 Member

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 3, 2028

Reappointment

Jennifer Foley – Saint Cloud, MN

Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission

At-large Member

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 3, 2028

Reappointment

Peg Furshong – Sacred Heart, MN

Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission

District 3 Member

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 3, 2028

Reappointment

Reid Huttunen – East Grand Forks, MN

Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission

District 2 Member

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 3, 2028

Reappointment

Tom Schmitz – New Ulm, MN

Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission

District 5 Member

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 3, 2028

Reappointment

Jonathan Wolf – Saint Cloud, MN

Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission

District 4 Member

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 3, 2028

Reappointment

About the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission:

The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission conducts system planning and designates regionally significant parks and trails in Greater Minnesota.

Additional information about the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Brian Andrews – Brainerd, MN

Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee

Member

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Replacing: Rodney Hanson

Mira Berndt – Saint Paul, MN

Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee

Youth Member

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 3, 2028

Replacing: Kevin Nguyen

Aaliyah Lussier – Red Lake, MN

Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee

Youth Member

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 3, 2028

Replacing: Chyenne Boyce

Michael Mayer – Eagan, MN

Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee

Member

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Reappointment

Jerald Moore – Eagan, MN

Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee

Member

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Replacing: Sarah Davis

About the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee:

The Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee oversees Minnesota’s compliance with the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act.

Additional information about the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee can be found on the? Secretary of State’s website.

David Shaw – Apple Valley, MN

Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council

Center for Independent Living Representative

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: June 30, 2025

Replacing: Chanell Calhoun

About the Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council:

The Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council provides consumer-responsive, consumer-driven advice to the state for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of activities carried out under the federal Assistive Technology Act grant.

Additional information about the Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Katie McDermott – Saint Paul, MN

Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities

Consumer Member

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Reappointment

About the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities:

The Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities works to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families receive the necessary supports and services to achieve increased independence, productivity, self-determination, integration, and inclusion.

Additional information about the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Quennel Cooper – Eden Prairie, MN

Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board

Principal

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Replacing: Jessica Cook

Rochelle Dyer – Saint Cloud, MN

Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board

Teacher

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 5, 2026

Replacing: Lucy Payne

About the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board:

The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board licenses teachers, establishes and maintains teacher licensure standards and requirements, establishes and enforces the Teacher Code of Ethics, approves and oversees teacher preparation providers and programs, and administers grants.

Additional information about the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Ashley Berg – Ogilvie, MN

Rural Health Advisory Committee

Representative of a Local Public Health Agency or Community Health Board

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 3, 2028

New Seat

Tashina Branchaud – Red Lake, MN

Rural Health Advisory Committee

Member of a Tribal Nation

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 3, 2028

New Seat

Elizabeth Coleman – Saint James, MN

Rural Health Advisory Committee

Advanced Practice Professional

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Replacing: Andrew Johnson

Thomas Crowley – Kellogg, MN

Rural Health Advisory Committee

Hospital Representative Member

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 3, 2028

Reappointment

Sagar Dugani – Rochester, MN

Rural Health Advisory Committee

Consumer Member

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Replacing: Trevor Coons

Scharazard Gray – International Falls, MN

Rural Health Advisory Committee

Health Professional or Advocate with Experience Working with People with Mental Illness

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 3, 2028

New Seat

Brenda Mehr – Aitkin, MN

Rural Health Advisory Committee

Allied Dental Personnel

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

New Seat

Jessica Navarro – Faribault, MN

Rural Health Advisory Committee

Consumer Member

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 3, 2028

Replacing: Ann Bussey

Holly Rien – Paynesville, MN

Rural Health Advisory Committee

An Individual with Experience in Economic Development, or an Employer Working Outside the Seven-County Metropolitan Area

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 3, 2028

New Seat

Amanda Schermerhorn – Detroit Lakes, MN

Rural Health Advisory Committee

Consumer who is an Advocate for Persons who are Developmentally Disabled

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Replacing: Jessica Cook

Penny Solberg – Spring Valley, MN

Rural Health Advisory Committee

Long-term Health Care Member

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 3, 2028

Replacing: Kyle Hedlund

Keith Stelter – Saint Peter, MN

Rural Health Advisory Committee

Physician Member

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 3, 2028

Reappointment

Lisa Stroschein – Frazee, MN

Rural Health Advisory Committee

Representative of a Community Organization that Works with Individuals Experiencing Health Disparities

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 3, 2028

New Seat

About the Rural Health Advisory Committee:

The Rural Health Advisory Committee advises the Commissioner of Health and other state agencies on rural health issues.

Additional information about the Rural Health Advisory Committee can be found on the Secretary of State’s website .

Nick Holzthum – Minneapolis, MN

State Rehabilitation Council

Current or Former Recipient of VR Services

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Replacing: Delawoe Bahtuoh

About the State Rehabilitation Council:

The State Rehabilitation Council is responsible for advising state government on the performance of Minnesota's Vocational Rehabilitation programs.

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

Corbbmacc O'Connor – Saint Paul, MN

State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind

Industry Representative

Effective: April 24, 2024

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Reappointment

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 for the blind and performs other functions as provided by law.

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

The Governor and Lieutenant Governor are seeking qualified and diverse individuals who are passionate about using their knowledge, skills, and lived experiences to serve the state of Minnesota. A list of boards and commissions, including open positions, can be found on the?Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.