Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today congratulated departing Commissioner Alice Roberts-Davis and thanked her for her years of service at the Minnesota Department of Administration (Admin). Roberts-Davis will depart from her position to serve as the University of Minnesota’s Vice President of University Services. Commissioner Roberts-Davis was appointed by Governor Walz in January 2019.

“I am incredibly grateful for Commissioner Roberts-Davis’ extraordinary leadership and service throughout these last four years and especially during the pandemic response,” said Governor Walz. “From providing resources to Minnesotans with developmental disabilities to examining remains at Native American burial sites, Commissioner Roberts-Davis has led with dignity, intelligence, grace, and a passion for bettering Minnesota today and for generations to come. We wish her the best at the University of Minnesota and look forward to partnering with her in this new role.”

“Commissioner Roberts-Davis has truly defined what it means to make Minnesota and our state systems more accessible and beneficial to everyone,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “Throughout her work, she has led with equity and efficiency as guiding principles and made a lasting impact on our state. We will miss Commissioner Roberts-Davis but are immensely grateful for her years of service and dedication to Minnesota.”

“I want to thank Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan for the opportunity to serve in their administration,” said Commissioner Roberts-Davis. “I am so proud of all we accomplished including the COVID response and making government contracts more accessible to small diverse businesses. I look forward to bringing the principles of One Minnesota with me to the University of Minnesota.”

About Alice Roberts-Davis

Alice Roberts-Davis is the Commissioner for the Department of Administration. Commissioner Roberts-Davis is responsible for 24 divisions that provide critical services to the public, state agencies, and communities throughout the state. As part of Governor Walz’s Cabinet, Commissioner Roberts-Davis is focused on delivering excellent service to the agency’s partners, leading sustainable practices across state government, and ensuring that diversity and inclusion are key factors in agency decisions. Prior to joining the state, Commissioner Roberts-Davis worked for Target Corporation for 12 years in different leadership capacities, including real estate development, strategic sourcing, and compliance. She was responsible for the purchase and development of land across the country, and later led the company’s $1 billion supplier diversity initiative. Commissioner Roberts-Davis lives in Woodbury and calls Elk Grove Village, Illinois her hometown. She attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she earned a degree in Communications and earned her Juris Doctor degree at Florida State University College of Law. 

About Admin

Admin is tasked with overseeing and managing the administrative functions of other executive branch state agencies, including their purchasing and contracting, facilities management and more. State law also grants Admin the authority to engage in strategic planning efforts for the state and to investigate and study the management of state agencies, reorganizing them when necessary to ensure effective and efficient operations.

With $176.5 million in annual operating costs and 475 full-time employees, Admin oversees $2.1 billion in state purchases, maintains 4.4 million square feet of owned space and leases an additional 3.6 million square feet of space for over 100 state agencies, boards and councils. The agency also insures $12 billion in property and 13,400 vehicles, and manages over 400 building projects and $166 million in capital appropriations.

Roberts-Davis’ last day as commissioner will be June 2, 2023. Deputy Commissioner Stacie Christensen will serve as temporary commissioner until a permanent successor is appointed by the Governor.

Individuals wishing to apply to be Minnesota’s next Commissioner of Administration can contact [email protected] to request an application. Application materials are due by 4:00 pm on May 25, 2023, and should be addressed to Governor Tim Walz. Applicants may contact [email protected] or (651) 201-3400 with questions about the application process or to request reasonable accommodations.