ST. PAUL, MN - Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Board of Firefighter Training and Education; Executive Board of Direct Care and Treatment; Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources; Minnesota Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board; and the State Board of Civil Legal Aid.

Mike Warner - Red Wing, MN
Board of Firefighter Training and Education
MN State Fire Chiefs Association Representative
Effective: April 16, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029
Replacing: Rebecca White

Jennifer Elleraas - Garrison, MN
Board of Firefighter Training and Education
Volunteer Firefighter POC/PT #1
Effective: April 16, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029
Replacing: Natascha Hennen

Jim Fisher - Zim, MN
Board of Firefighter Training and Education
Minnesota Towns Representative #1
Effective: April 16, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029
Reappointment

Jason Low - Burnsville, MN
Board of Firefighter Training and Education
Public Member
Effective: April 16, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029
Replacing: John Peura

About the Board of Firefighter Training and Education:
The Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training and Education reviews fire training needs and makes recommendations on training to Minnesota fire service organizations, establishes standards for educational programs for the fire service, and establishes qualifications for fire service training instructors.

Additional information about the Board of Firefighter Training and Education can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Catherine Chavers - Brookston, MN
Executive Board of Direct Care and Treatment
Member with Experience #3
Effective: April 16, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029
Replacing: Kathryn Kallas

John Dinsmore - Fergus Falls, MN
Executive Board of Direct Care and Treatment
Member with Experience #2
Effective: April 16, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029
Replacing: Chelsea Rivers

About the Executive Board of Direct Care and Treatment:
The Executive Board of Direct Care and Treatment provides management and control over the State of Minnesota Direct Care and Treatment (DCT) agency. DCT is a highly specialized behavioral health care system that serves people with mental illness, substance abuse disorders, sex offenders, and developmental and intellectual disabilities. DCT's services include care and treatment for specialized inpatient programs at secure treatment facilities, community preparation services, regional treatment centers, enterprise services, consultative services, aftercare services, community-based services and programs, transition services, and nursing home services.

Additional information about the Executive Board of Direct Care and Treatment can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Rita Albrecht - Bemidji, MN
Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources
Public Member #1
Effective: April 16, 2025
Term Expires: December 31, 2029
Reappointment

Monica Hedstrom - Mahnomen, MN
Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources
Public Member #2
Effective: April 16, 2025
Term Expires: December 31, 2029
Replacing: Nancy Gibson

Michelle Beeman - Saint Paul, MN
Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources
Public Member #3
Effective: April 16, 2025
Term Expires: December 31, 2029
Replacing: Jeremy Peichel

About the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources:
The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources reviews environmental and natural resource issues, develops a strategic spending plan for the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, reviews proposals and recommends projects for funding, and evaluates project outcomes.

Additional information about the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Michele Fredrickson - Zim, MN
Minnesota Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board
Member who Represents Home Workers or Worker Organizations #2
Effective: April 16, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029
Reappointment

Mary Swanson - Marshall, MN
Minnesota Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board
Member who Represents Nursing Home Employers or Employer Organizations #3
Effective: April 16, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029
Reappointment

About the Minnesota Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board:
The Minnesota Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board holds public hearings on, and conducts investigations into, working conditions in the nursing home industry, and establishes operating procedures.

Additional information about the Minnesota Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Tarryl Clark - St. Cloud, MN
State Board of Civil Legal Aid
Member #4
Effective: April 16, 2025
Term Expires: January 3, 2028
New Seat

John Gordon - Edina, MN
State Board of Civil Legal Aid
Member #1
Effective: April 16, 2025
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
New Seat

Holley Horrell - Minneapolis, MN
State Board of Civil Legal Aid
Member #5
Effective: April 16, 2025
Term Expires: January 1, 2029
New Seat

Ana Pottratz Acosta - Saint Paul, MN
State Board of Civil Legal Aid
Member #3
Effective: April 16, 2025
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
New Seat

Korey Wahwassuck - Grand Rapids, MN
State Board of Civil Legal Aid
Member #2
Effective: April 16, 2025
Term Expires: January 4, 2027
New Seat

About the State Board of Civil Legal Aid:
The State Board of Civil Legal Aid works to ensure access to high-quality civil legal services in every Minnesota county.

Additional information about the State Board of Civil Legal Aid 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.