Walz names more commissioners in advance of inauguration Monday

Walz names more commissioners in advance of inauguration Monday Photo: KSTP

January 04, 2019 02:42 PM

Governor-elect Tim Walz Friday announced a number of new appointments, including naming current Metro Transit Chief of Police and former St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington as commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.

Walz also reappointed Cynthia Bauerly as the commissioner of Revenue, and Mark Phillips as commissioner of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.

He also named Steve Kelley, a senior fellow at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, as commissioner of the Department of Commerce, Steve Grove, a founding director of Google's News Lab, as commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development, Nancy Leppink as commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry, and Larry Herke as commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Walz also announced he would name a commissioner for Minnesota IT Services at a later date. Assistant Commissioner and Chief Technology Officer Bill Poirier will serve as acting commissioner.

The Democrat's inauguration as governor is scheduled for Monday.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story said Cynthia Bauerly would remain as commissioner of the Department of Commerce. The story has been corrected to reflect Bauerly will remain as commissioner of the Department of Revenue.