As he neared Inauguration Day, Governor-elect Tim Walz has been hard at work rounding out his administration with new Commissioners. Despite receiving nearly 500 applications to serve as Commissioner, the Walz-Flanagan transition team successfully narrowed down the field and, this week, announced their appointments.
January 3rd’s appointments:
Thom Petersen as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture
“Minnesota’s farmers and agriculture are vital to our economy and our way of life. With more than a decade of experience at the Minnesota Farmers Union, Thom Petersen understands how policy directly affects farmers’ daily lives,” said Walz. “We’re looking forward to working with him as our incoming Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture to ensure our farmers can compete in the global marketplace.”
About Thom Petersen
Thom Petersen, 52, is a long-time resident of Royalton Township near Pine City where he lives on a horse farm. Thom has served as the Director of Government Relations for Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) since 2002, working on behalf of MFU’s farmer-members in both Washington, D.C. and St. Paul. Prior to his work at the Minnesota Farmers Union, Thom spent most of his life working for his family and his own horse and farm business. Thom has a wide range of experience in state and federal farm policy, and travels to almost every county in Minnesota each year to fully understand how these policies affect farmers’ daily lives. He has served on many boards and committees, including the University of Minnesota Extension Citizens Advisory Committee, Farmers Legal Action Group, Citizens Utility Board, Minnesota Ag in the Classroom, Minnesota State Organic Task Force, Minnesota Rural Broadband Coalition, and the Minnesota Fair Plan.
Petersen received his Associate’s degree from Normandale Community College and studied at both the University of Minnesota and University of Georgia. Thom and his wife Alana live in Pine City with their two sons. The Petersen’s show horses around the state and have competed at the Minnesota State Fair for over 25 years.
Sarah Strommen as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
“As a sportsman and lifelong member of Pheasants Forever, I know firsthand the importance of this agency and being a steward of our land,” said Walz. “Sarah Strommen built her career integrating science and policymaking across sectors, and has a deep understanding and appreciation for our natural resources. She embraces our vision for One Minnesota and will work to build consensus among citizens and stakeholders alike.”
About Sarah Strommen
Sarah Strommen, 46, brings more than 20 years of experience to the Department of Natural Resources, with a focus on integrating the field of biological science with citizen education and public policymaking. After graduating college, Sarah used a Fulbright research scholarship to do field work in Costa Rica, and subsequently earned her Master’s degree in environmental management from Duke University. She brings decades of experience in different sectors as the incoming Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Working in the nonprofit sector, Sarah served as the Policy Director for Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness and as Associate Director of the Minnesota Land Trust. She joined the State of Minnesota in 2012, serving as the Assistant Director and Acting Deputy Director for the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources. Since 2015, Sarah has served as Assistant Commissioner for the divisions of Fish and Wildlife and Parks and Trails at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. After serving several terms on the City Council, Sarah was elected as Mayor of Ramsey in 2012 – an office she held until May 2018. While in public office, she worked to develop innovative and effective ways of engaging citizens in the local decision-making process.
Sarah grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota and received her Bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College. She now lives in Plymouth with her husband, son, and two dogs.
Laura Bishop as Commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
“While Minnesota is a leader in combating climate change, we still have work to do to build a sustainable future,” said Walz. “Laura Bishop is a proven coalition builder, with decades of experience in the corporate and public affairs sectors. As the Chief Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Officer for Best Buy, Laura knows how to build coalitions and implement solutions that are good for the environment and good for business – because it isn’t one or the other.”
About Laura Bishop
Laura Bishop, 48, is a leading corporate and public affairs executive with a demonstrated record for motivating diverse coalitions to achieve results. A strategic leader that easily navigates and communicates complex issues to internal and external audiences, Laura has held senior roles in both the private and public sector. Most recently, Laura was Chief Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Officer for Best Buy Co., Inc. As a company officer and member of the Best Buy Operating Committee, Laura was part of the core leadership team that helped lead the successful turn-around for the company. Additionally, Laura developed key strategies that linked purpose and profitability by establishing company goals focused on reducing the impacts of climate change, from recycling 1 billion pounds of electronics to reducing the company’s carbon footprint by 60% by 2020. Prior to Best Buy, Laura spent much of her career in the public sector where she served in roles at the State of Minnesota, the White House, the U.S. Department of Education, and the State Department at the U.S. Embassy in Switzerland. Laura’s active community involvement is highlighted by her dedication to the boards and councils on which she currently serves, including her work as the Chair of the Dean’s Advisory Committee at the Hubert Humphrey School for Public Affairs.
Laura holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Michigan. Laura lives in Eden Prairie with her husband and two teenage daughters.
Jan Malcolm as Commissioner of Minnesota Department of Health
“Commissioner Jan Malcolm’s proven track record at taking on management challenges and making meaningful changes illustrates her talent and commitment to the agency,” said Walz. “She mirrors our vision for health equity across the state, and we are glad to have her experience and expertise in our Administration.”
About Jan Malcolm
Jan Malcolm, 63, has served as Commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) in now three administrations, including Governor Jesse Ventura (1999-2003) and Governor Mark Dayton (2018). Before rejoining MDH in 2018, Malcolm was an adjunct faculty member at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, where she co-directed a national research and leadership development program. A nationally recognized expert in public health, Jan previously worked at a variety of health care organizations and nonprofit organizations. She served as a Senior Program Officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to develop initiatives that strengthen the nation’s public health system, and as the CEO of the Courage Center to lead organizational change resulting in a merger. Throughout her career, Malcolm has been active in state and national health policy associations and commissions, working to improve health care access and quality. She served as a board member for many local nonprofit organizations, such as the Bush Foundation, United Way, MN Alliance for Patient Safety, and Stratis Health.
Jan is a graduate of Dartmouth College and intended to go to medical school, but instead she found her calling in public health and health care leadership.
Tony Lourey as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services
“We engaged hundreds of stakeholders and partners and what we heard is that this leader must be passionate about the people served and vision for the agency. Tony is that leader,” said Walz. “He will bring his unparalleled expertise on the DHS budget and be a collaborative leader that listens and works together – especially with the agency’s partners, counties, and tribes.”
About Tony Lourey
Tony Lourey, 51, was raised in the small town of Kerrick in Greater Minnesota, where he spent most of his adult life as a community leader. Tony worked as a public policy consultant for 20 years, assisting county and state governments nationwide in finding ways to finance health and human services programs. He remained committed to local community by serving as a Kerrick Township Supervisor for nine years. Tony was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2006 and quickly became a leading voice in health and human services as the Chair of the Health and Human Finance committee from 2013 to 2016. Tony played a central role in Minnesota’s efforts to expand health care coverage, compliance with the Affordable Care Act, and improvements upon the bipartisan success of MinnesotaCare. In addition to his senatorial and farming duties, Tony teaches at the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health and serves as a volunteer lawyer for children in the foster care system.
Tony received a B.A. in philosophy from the University of Minnesota and a J.D. from the then-William Mitchell College of Law, where he focused on labor law and public policy. He has been married to his wife, Marlana, for 27 years, and together they have three adult children.
Janet L. Johnson as Commissioner of the Minnesota Bureau of Mediation Services
“Janet Johnson has deep experience in labor mediation, and we’re proud to announce her as our next Commissioner of the Bureau of Mediation Services,” said Walz. “She knows the importance of strengthening relationships between the Bureau, labor, and management to peacefully and objectively settle disputes.”
About Janet L. Johnson
Janet L. Johnson, 66, is a long-term career employee of the State of Minnesota in the Bureau of Mediation Services. Janet joined the Bureau in 1976 as a Hearing Reporter in the Representation Section. Since that time, she has served as a Representation Specialist, Hearing Officer, Mediator, Facilitator, and Labor Mediation Manager until her appointment as the first female Commissioner of the Bureau. Janet believes in preserving the neutrality of the Bureau in labor relation matters, strengthening the relationships between the Bureau and the representatives of labor and management, and ensuring that the Bureau’s services are available and provided to all geographic areas of Minnesota.
Janet received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska. Originally from Norfolk, Nebraska, she lives in Fridley with her husband Steven.
Rebecca Lucero as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights
“I am proud to announce Rebecca Lucero as the next Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights,” said Walz. “With a background in policy across sectors, Rebecca brings a flexible, creative, and persistent approach to the department – with a dedication to the health and safety of Minnesotans.”
About Rebecca Lucero
Rebecca Lucero, 37, was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but made Minnesota her home for more than a decade. She has extensive policy, legal, and nonprofit leadership experience, building coalitions and fostering meaningful, change-oriented relationships. Rebecca is currently the Public Policy Director at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, where she is responsible for advancing the Council’s public policy work, as well as developing and implementing inclusion and equity strategic framework. Previously, Rebecca served as a Policy and Advocacy Manager and Global Village Leader for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, Senior Community Representative for Representative Keith Ellison, and in the legal sector with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis. Rebecca serves as a board member for Gender Justice.
Rebecca earned her Bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College, and her law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School, with a focus in employment law.