ST. PAUL, MN - Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to Board of Executives for Long-term Services and Supports, Board of Podiatric Medicine, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Authority, Food Safety and Defense Task Force, Minnesota Commission on the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing, and the Statewide Independent Living Council.

Mary Cahill - Saint Paul, MN
Board of Executives for Long-term Services and Supports
Public Member
Effective: October 12, 2024
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Replacing: Michael Tripple

About the Board of Executives for Long-term Services and Supports:
The Board of Executives for Long-Term Services and Supports licenses administrators of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, conducts studies of nursing home and assisted living administration, approves continuing education programs for administrators, and investigates complaints and allegations of rule violations.

Additional information about the Board of Executives for Long-term Services and Supports can be found on the Secretary of State’s website .

Christopher Neese - Champlin, MN
Board of Podiatric Medicine
Doctor
Effective: October 12, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Replacing: Jackie Pham

About the Board of Podiatric Medicine:
The board licenses doctors of podiatric medicine, disciplines licensees, and registers corporations.

Additional information about the Board of Podiatric Medicine can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Thomas Schulz- Sebeka, MN
Board of Water and Soil Resources
Soil and Water District Supervisor #2
Effective: October 12, 2024
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
Replacing: Kurt Beckstrom

About the Board of Water and Soil Resources:
The board oversees and coordinates the water and soil resources management activities of local units of government through approval of local plans, administration of state grants, cost-sharing contracts, performance evaluation, and administrative appeals and hearings. The board’s mission is to improve and protect Minnesota’s water and soil resources by working in partnership with local organizations and private landowners.

Additional information about the Board of Water and Soil Resources can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Kristi Schmidt - Duluth, MN
Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Authority
Member
Effective: October 12, 2024
Term Expires: June 30, 2026
Replacing: Mary Finnegan

About the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Authority:
The authority is committed to helping provide a multi-dimensional entertainment and convention facility with high quality integrated support services that will maximize the economic and social benefit to the Duluth business community, investors, clients, and customers.

Additional information about the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Authority can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Steven Foster - Elk River, MN
Food Safety and Defense Task Force
Health or Food Professional
Effective: October 12, 2024
Term Expires: June 30, 2027
Replacing: Brent Kobielush

Ruth Linkenmeyer Meirick - Kasson, MN
Food Safety and Defense Task Force
Statewide Farm Organization Representative
Effective: October 12, 2024
Term Expires: June 30, 2027
Reappointment

Stanley Osuagwu - New Brighton, MN
Food Safety and Defense Task Force
Health or Food Professional
Effective: October 12, 2024
Term Expires: June 30, 2027
Replacing: Courtney Bidney

Carrie Rigdon - Saint Paul, MN
Food Safety and Defense Task Force
At-large Member
Effective: October 12, 2024
Term Expires: June 30, 2027
Replacing: Steven Foster

Julia Selleys - Edina, MN
Food Safety and Defense Task Force
Local Food Inspection Agency Representative
Effective: October 12, 2024
Term Expires: June 30, 2027
Reappointment

Thomas Webber - New Prague, MN
Food Safety and Defense Task Force
At-large Member
Effective: October 12, 2024
Term Expires: June 30, 2027
Replacing: Christopher Gindorff

About the Food Safety and Defense Task Force:
The Food Safety and Defense Task Force advises the commissioner of agriculture and the legislature on food issues and food safety. The task force coordinates educational efforts regarding food safety, provides advice and coordination to state agencies as requested by the agencies, serves as a source of information and referral for the public, news media, and others concerned with food safety, and makes recommendations to Congress.

Additional information about the Food Safety and Defense Task Force can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Adrienne Haugen - Olivia, MN
Minnesota Commission on the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing
Advisory Committee Member #4
Effective: October 12, 2024
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
New Seat

Alison Mehlhorn - Oakdale, MN
Minnesota Commission on the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing
At-large Member
Effective: October 12, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
New Seat

Aaron Peterson - Warren, MN
Minnesota Commission on the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing
Advisory Committee Member #5
Effective: October 12, 2024
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
New Seat

Samantha Porter - Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota Commission on the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing
At-large Member
Effective: October 12, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
New Seat

Karla Sand - Maplewood, MN
Minnesota Commission on the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing
At-large Member
Effective: October 12, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
New Seat

About the Minnesota Commission on the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing:
The Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing represents and advocates for deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing Minnesotans via public policy.

Additional information about the Minnesota Commission on the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Amy McClellan - Saint Paul, MN
Statewide Independent Living Council
Member
Effective: October 12, 2024
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Replacing: Gloria Lafriniere

About the Statewide Independent Living Council:
The Minnesota Statewide Independent Living Council (MNSILC) works collaboratively with the Centers for Independent Living to create, monitor, review, and evaluate the State Plan for Independent Living. MNSILC coordinates activities with other entities in the state that provide services similar or complementary to independent living services.

Additional information about the Statewide Independent Living Council 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.