Councils and Boards
These are the Councils and Boards that guide the work of the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and advocate for its customers.
| Board/Council | Chair | DEED Contact | State/Federal Authorization | Role |
| State | ||||
| BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota Board | Dale Wahlstrom |
Dan McElroy | NA - private nonprofit 501(c)3 | Develop public/private sector strategies for growing Minnesota's bioscience industry |
| Environmental Quality Board (Governor-appointed) | Robert A. Schroeder | Jeff Freeman | M.S. 116C.03 /NA |
Oversee environmental issues of interdepartmental concern |
| Green Jobs Task Force | Senator Ellen Anderson and Representative Jim Davnie | Bob Isaacson | 2008 Session Law: Chapter 356, Sec. 15 /NA |
Promote activities to advance Minnesota's green economy (i.e., increase the use of renewable energy, encourage energy conservation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect the environment) |
| Governor's Workforce Development Council (Governor-appointed) | Cynthia Lesher |
Brenda Norman | M.S. 116L.665 /29 USC 30... |
Coordinate/review Minnesota's workforce development system |
| High-Speed Broadband Task Force | NA | NA | 2008 Session Law: Chapter 212, Sec. 1 /NA |
Provide input on creation of a state ultra-high-speed broadband goal and an implementation plan |
| iSeek (Internet System for Education and Employment Knowledge) Solutions Board | Linda Baer | Bonnie Elsey | NA /NA |
Develop policy/services for the career planning, education, employment, and employer marketplaces |
| Military and Veterans Support Cabinet | Veterans Affairs Commissioner | Jim Finley | NA /NA |
Address issues facing military veterans |
| Minnesota Agricultural and Economic Development Board (by statute) | Finance Commissioner | Paul A. Moe | M.S. 41A.02 /NA |
Direct agricultural economic development for the state |
| Minnesota District Export Council | Edward Hayward | Tony Lorusso | NA /NA |
Encourage and support export growth in Minnesota |
| Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) Board (Governor-appointed and by statute) | DEED Commissioner | Paul D. Moe | M.S. 116L.03 /NA |
Oversee/select grantees for MJSP and Dislocated Worker projects |
| Minnesota Opportunities Industrialization Centers (OIC) Council | Linda White | Jim Korkki | M.S. 116L.60 /NA |
Represent the five OIC job training and education programs in Minnesota |
| Public Facilities Authority Board (by statute) | DEED Commissioner | Terry Kuhlman | M.S. 446A.03 /42 USC 6A; 33 USC 26 |
Manage state revolving funds for drinking water, wastewater, and transportation infrastructure |
| Small Business Development Center Advisory Board | None | Mike Myhre | NA /15 USC 14A... |
Advise the state director on program operations |
| State Rehabilitation Council (Governor-appointed) | Steven Ditschler | Gail Lundeen | M.S. 268A.02 /29 USC 16... |
Advise on Rehabilitation Services programs |
| State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind (Governor-appointed) | Rebecca Kragnes | Chuk Hamilton | M.S. 248.10 /29 USC 16... |
Advise on State Services for the Blind programs |
| Statewide Independent Living (IL) Council (Governor-appointed) | Lois Johnson | David Sherwood-Gabrielson | M.S. 268A.02 /29 USC 16... |
Advise on IL programs and facilities |
| Trade Policy Advisory Group | NA |
Tony Lorusso | 2008 Session Law: Chapter 300, Sec. 4 /NA |
Advise on government procurement agreements of U.S. trade agreements |
| Unemployment Insurance Advisory Committee | None | Lee Nelson | NA /NA |
Advise on program direction and reform (informal) |
| Urban Initiative Board (Governor-appointed and by statute) | DEED Commissioner | Paul A. Moe | M.S. 116M.15 /NA |
Enhance urban development through minority business enterprises/job creation |
| Local | ||||
| Job Service (JS) Employer Committees | None | Jim Korkki | NA /NA |
Advise/support JS Program |
| Local Workforce Investment Boards | None | Kathy Sweeney | M.S. 116L.666 /29 USC 30... |
Guide/oversee local workforce efforts |
| Local Youth Councils | None | Kay Tracy | M.S. 116L.363 /29 USC 30... |
Advise/support youth activities |
DEED's Policy, Planning, and Measures Unit maintains this page; e-mail
ppm@state.mn.us to provide updates
or obtain assistance.