ST. PAUL, MN - Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Board of Accountancy; Board of Occupational Therapy Practice; Board of Optometry; Board of Psychology; Governor’s Advisory Council on Opioids, Substance Use, and Addiction; Governor’s Children’s Cabinet Advisory Council; Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee; Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee; and the Minnesota Competency Attainment Board.

Andrea Chung - Lakeville, MN 
Board of Accountancy 
Certified Public Accountant 
Effective: March 26, 2025 
Term Expires: January 1, 2029 
Replacing: Charles McElroy 

About the Board of Accountancy: 
The Board of Accountancy examines, licenses, and regulates certified public accountants and registered accounting practitioners.

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

Samantha Olsen - Cleveland, MN 
Board of Occupational Therapy Practice 
Occupational Therapist #3 (Non-Metro) 
Effective: March 26, 2025 
Term Expires: January 1, 2029 
Reappointment 

Erin Staum - Oakdale, MN 
Board of Occupational Therapy Practice 
Occupational Therapy Assistant #1 
Effective: March 26, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029 
Reappointment

About the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice: 
The Board of Occupational Therapy protects the public through effective licensure and enforcement of the statutes and rules governing the practice of occupational therapy to ensure a reasonable standard of competent and ethical practice.

Additional information about the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Fernando Alvarado - Willmar, MN 
Board of Optometry 
Optometrist #1 
Effective: March 26, 2025 
Term Expires: January 1, 2029 
Reappointment 

Eric Bailey - Buffalo, MN 
Board of Optometry 
Public Member 
Effective: March 26, 2025 
Term Expires: January 1, 2029 
Reappointment 

About the Board of Optometry: 
The Board of Optometry licenses optometrists, adopts rules, and investigates complaints. 

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

Michelle Zhao - Saint Paul, MN 
Board of Psychology 
Public Member 
Effective: March 26, 2025 
Term Expires: January 1, 2029 
Reappointment

About the Board of Psychology: 
The Board of Psychology establishes qualifications for licensing psychologists, examines and licenses qualified individuals, establishes fees for issuance and renewal of licenses and other services, establishes rules of conduct and takes appropriate action against licensees who do not meet and maintain those ethical requirements, establishes or approves programs that qualify for professional psychology continuing education credit, educates the public about licensure requirements and the rules of conduct, and facilitates consumers in the filing of complaints against licensees who may have violated the Psychology Practice Act.

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

Janice Mehle - Chisholm, MN 
Governor's Advisory Council on Opioids, Substance Use, and Addiction 
Member #1 
Effective: March 26, 2025 
Term Expires: January 3, 2028 
Replacing: Farhia Budul 

Khou Vang - Saint Paul, MN 
Governor's Advisory Council on Opioids, Substance Use, and Addiction 
Member #6 
Effective: March 26, 2025 
Term Expires: January 4, 2027 
Replacing: Beth Elstad 

About the Governor’s Advisory Council on Opioids, Substance Use, and Addiction: 
The Governor’s Advisory Council on Opioids, Substance Use, and Addiction identifies opportunities for, and barriers to, the development and effective implementation of policies and strategies to expand access to services for people in Minnesota suffering from addiction. The council promotes equity by examining what services and supports are needed in communities that are disproportionally impacted by the opioid epidemic.? 

Additional information about the Governor’s Advisory Council on Opioids, Substance Use, and Addiction can be found on the Secretary of State’s website. 

Angela Thies - White Bear Lake, MN 
Governor's Children's Cabinet Advisory Council 
Member # 13 
Effective: March 26, 2025 
Term Expires: April 5, 2027 
Reappointment 

About the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet Advisory Council: 
The Governor’s Children’s Cabinet Advisory Council advises the Children’s Cabinet. The advisory council focuses on equity and addressing the opportunity gap from a whole family, whole system approach.

Additional information about the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet Advisory Council can be found on the Secretary of State’s website. 

Sheila Kiscaden - Rochester, MN 
Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee 
Member #1 
Effective: March 26, 2025
Term Expires: January 3, 2028 
Reappointment 

Trahern Pollard - Brooklyn Center, MN 
Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee 
Member #7 
Effective: March 26, 2025
Term Expires: January 3, 2028 
Reappointment 

Kathryn Richtman - St. Paul, MN 
Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee 
Member #6 
Effective: March 26, 2025
Term Expires: January 3, 2028 
Reappointment 

About the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee: 
The Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee is the supervisory board for the federal Juvenile Justice Program with respect to preparation and administration of the state plan and award of grants.

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

Karla Bigham - Cottage Grove, MN 
Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee 
Voting Member 
Effective: March 26, 2025 
Term Expires: January 4, 2027 
New Seat 

Anne Burt - Woodbury, MN 
Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee 
Co-Chair 
Effective: March 26, 2025 
Term Expires: January 4, 2027 
New Seat 

Keith Franke - Saint Paul Park, MN 
Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee 
Voting Member 
Effective: March 26, 2025 
Term Expires: January 4, 2027 
New Seat 

Laurie Halverson - Eagan, MN 
Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee 
Co-Chair 
Effective: March 26, 2025 
Term Expires: January 4, 2027 
New Seat 

Erica Lester - Eagan, MN 
Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee 
Voting Member
Effective: March 26, 2025 
Term Expires: January 4, 2027 
New Seat 

Sally Lorberbaum - Mendota Heights, MN 
Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee 
Voting Member 
Effective: March 26, 2025 
Term Expires: January 4, 2027 
New Seat 

Valentina Mgeni - Welch, MN 
Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee 
Voting Member 
Effective: March 26, 2025 
Term Expires: January 4, 2027 
New Seat 

Jeff Reed - Hampton, MN 
Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee 
Voting Member 
Effective: March 26, 2025 
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
New Seat 

Charlie Zelle - Saint Paul, MN 
Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee 
Non-Voting Member 
Effective: March 26, 2025 
Term Expires: January 4, 2027 
Reappointment 

About the Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee: 
The Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee, which recommends candidates for the Metropolitan Council to the Governor, will host public meetings to accept statements from, or on behalf of, applicants for the positions. The council chair serves as a non-voting member of the nominating committee. 

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

Elliot Butay - Saint Paul, MN 
Minnesota Competency Attainment Board 
Public Member 
Effective: March 26, 2025 
Term Expires: January 1, 2029 
Reappointment 

About the Minnesota Competency Attainment Board: 
The Minnesota Competency Attainment Board creates and administers a statewide, independent competency attainment system that certifies competency attainment programs and uses forensic navigators to promote prevention and diversion of people with mental illnesses and cognitive impairments from entering the legal system, support defendants with mental illness and cognitive impairments, support defendants in the competency process, and assist courts and partners in coordinating competency attainment services. 

Additional information about the Minnesota Competency Attainment Board 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.