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Board Members

The Authority Board consists of eight members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. A representative of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and the President of the Minnesota Private College Council, who is a non-voting member, are also members of the Authority.

Gary D. Benson

  • Director of Project Planning & Development
  • Kraus-Anderson Construction Company
  • Term Expires: January 2027*
  • Resident of New Brighton, Minnesota
  • Construction Expertise Manager

MiKEYA GRIFFIN

  • Executive Director
  • Rondo Community Land Trust
  • Term Expires: January 2026*
  • Resident of Saint Paul, Minnesota

ERICH HEPPNER

  • Director of Student Life
  • Central Lakes College
  • Term Expires: January 2029*
  • Resident of Staples, Minnesota
  • Higher Education Affiliation Member and Outstate Minnesota Member

Mary F. Ives

  • Real Estate Agent and Business Owner-Operator of Hospitality Properties
  • Term Expires: January 2028*
  • Resident of Grand Rapids, Minnesota
  • Outstate Minnesota Member

Bonnie M. Anderson Rons, FISCAL YEAR 2025 BOARD SECRETARY

  • Retired Banker
  • Term Expires: January 2027*
  • Resident of Rosemount, Minnesota

David D. Rowland, FISCAL YEAR 2025 BOARD CHAIR

  • Executive Vice President and Co-Chief Investment Officer
  • The Travelers Companies, Inc.
  • Term Expires: January 2029*
  • Resident of Edina, Minnesota
  • Municipal Finance Expertise Member

Nancy Sampair, FISCAL YEAR 2025 BOARD VICE-CHAIR

  • Retired Banker
  • Term Expires: January 2026*
  • Resident of St. Paul, Minnesota

Kenneth Westphal

  • Retired College Vice President for Finance
  • Term Expires: January 2028*
  • Resident of St. Peter, Minnesota
  • Outstate Minnesota Member

Ex-officio MemberS:

Paul Cerkvenik

  • President, Minnesota Private College Council
  • Ex Officio, Non-Voting
  • Saint Paul, Minnesota
  • Minnesota Private College Council Member

Poawit Yang

  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Minnesota Office of Higher Education
  • Ex Officio
  • Saint Paul, Minnesota
  • Office of Higher Education Member

*Pending Senate Confirmation (The Senate has not exercised their consenting power since 2016.)