ST. PAUL, MN - Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy, Commission on Judicial Selection, Explore Minnesota Business Council, Governor’s Committee on Minnesota America 250, Minnesota Forest Resources Council, Plumbing Board, State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care, and Supervised Release Board.

Bharati Acharya – Minneapolis, MN
Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy
Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

Sandra Clark – Andover, MN
Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy
Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Replacing: Majorie Van Slyke

Sarah Driever – Minneapolis, MN
Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy
Public Member
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
Replacing: Rachel Dame

Roy Kammer – Kasota, MN
Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy
Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

About the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy
The Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy regulates the practices of alcohol and drug counseling and professional counseling and professional clinical counseling in Minnesota.

Additional information about the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy can be found on the Secretary of State's website.

Daryl Fuchihara – Duluth, MN
Commission on Judicial Selection
Sixth Judicial District Attorney Member
Effective: May 29, 2024
Replacing: Daniel Lew

Roxanna Gonzalez – Minneapolis, MN
Commission on Judicial Selection
At-large Attorney Member
Effective: May 29, 2024
Replacing: Justin Page

Justin Perl – Minneapolis, MN
Commission on Judicial Selection
Fourth Judicial District Attorney Member
Effective: May 29, 2024
Replacing: Roxanna Gonzalez

About the Commission on Judicial Selection:
The Commission on Judicial Selection solicits, considers, and recommends candidates to the Governor for vacancies in the district courts and the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals.

Additional information about the Commission on Judicial Selection can be found here.

Jennifer Byers – Saint Paul, MN
Explore Minnesota for Business Council
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Representative
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
New Seat

Michael Flynn – Rochester, MN
Explore Minnesota for Business Council
Representative from statewide or regional marketing or business association leadership, the Iron Range, or a nonprofit focused on economic development or human resource management
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
New Seat

Sean Higgins – Falcon Heights, MN
Explore Minnesota for Business Council
Member representing Minnesota's start-up and entrepreneurial industry who has started at least one Minnesota-based business in the last five years and has at least 20 employees
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
New Seat

Nicholas Leonard – Fergus Falls, MN
Explore Minnesota for Business Council
At-large representative in the field of general marketing, talent attraction, or economic development
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
New Seat

Tawnya Stewart – Golden Valley, MN
Explore Minnesota for Business Council
Representative in marketing, human resources, or executive leadership from Minnesota-based companies with more than 100 employees representing Minnesota's key industries
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
New Seat

Amanda Taylor – Saint Paul, MN
Explore Minnesota for Business Council
Representative from statewide or regional marketing or business association leadership, the Iron Range, or a nonprofit focused on economic development or human resource management
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
New Seat

Denise Williams – Woodbury, MN
Explore Minnesota for Business Council
Representative from a Minnesota college or university staff, faculty, leadership, student leadership, or alumni association
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
New Seat

About the Explore Minnesota for Business Council:
The Explore Minnesota for Business Council advises the Explore Minnesota director and acts to serve the broader interest of promoting overall livability and workforce and economic opportunity in Minnesota.

Additional information about the Explore Minnesota for Business Council can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Michael Minks – Sturgeon Lake, MN
Governor's Committee on Minnesota America 250
Member with Experience and Expertise in History or History Education, Tourism, or the Humanities
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: December 31, 2026
New Seat

About the Governor’s Committee on Minnesota America 250:
The Governor’s Committee on Minnesota America 250 coordinates Minnesota America 250 activities to ensure that all Minnesotans have opportunities to learn about our complex and inspiring past.

Additional information about the Governor’s Committee on Minnesota America 250 can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Kim Berns Melhus – Hugo, MN
Minnesota Forest Resources Council
Environmental Organization Representative
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Reappointment

Linda Kingery – Puposky, MN
Minnesota Forest Resources Council
Private Forest Land Owner
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Replacing: Janet Erdman

Benjamin Wallace – Warroad, MN
Minnesota Forest Resources Council
Secondary Wood Products Manufacturing Organization Representative
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
Replacing: Robert Owens

About the Minnesota Forest Resources Council:
The Minnesota Forest Resources Council develops recommendations for forest resources policies and practices.

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

Richard Becker – Maple Grove, MN
Plumbing Board
Licensed Professional Engineer
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: December 31, 2026
Reappointment

Jonathan Lemke – Saint Paul, MN
Plumbing Board
Metro Commercial or Industrial Journeyworker Plumber
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: December 31, 2026
Reappointment

About the Plumbing Board:
The Plumbing Board adopts the plumbing code and rules that regulate the licensing and registration of plumbing-related professions and issues code interpretations.

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

Tina Rucci – Minneapolis, MN
State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care
Member
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
Replacing: Maren Hulden

About the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care:
The State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care makes recommendations to the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet Advisory Council and Children’s Cabinet and fulfills the duties required under the federal Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act.

Additional information about the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Rana Alexander – Saint Paul, MN
Supervised Release Board
Member
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: January 1, 2026
New Seat

Christine Bray – Minneapolis, MN
Supervised Release Board
Member
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: January 1, 2028
New Seat

Andrew Larson – Crookston, MN
Supervised Release Board
Member
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: January 1, 2026
New Seat

Jody Nelson – Minneapolis, MN
Supervised Release Board
Individual with an Academic Degree in Neurology, Psychology, or a Comparable Field and who Has Expertise in the Neurological Development of Juveniles
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: January 1, 2026
New Seat

Sheryl Ramstad – Saint Paul, MN
Supervised Release Board
Member
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: January 1, 2028
New Seat

Donald Streufert – Duluth, MN
Supervised Release Board
Individual with an Academic Degree in Neurology, Psychology, or a Comparable Field and who Has Expertise in the Neurological Development of Juveniles
Effective: May 29, 2024
Term Expires: January 1, 2028
New Seat

About the Supervised Release Board:
The Supervised Release Board reviews eligible cases and makes eligible release and final discharge decisions for incarcerated individuals serving life sentences or indeterminate sentences.

Additional information about the Supervised Release 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.