Government and Politics
April 19, 2024
From: Minnesota Governor Timothy James WalzSaint 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.