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Board Members

The Authority Board consists of nine* 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.*

*On June 12, 2025, Governor Tim Walz signed legislation which added two additional board members: one Governor-appointed member having healthcare expertise and one ex-officio member in healthcare. This became effective August 1, 2025. As of August 1, 2026, these two additional board seats have not yet been filled. The list below reflects the eight members appointed by the Governor and the two ex-officio members prior to the expansion of the board on August 1, 2025.

Gary D. Benson

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

MARTHA EARLEY

  • Retire Vice President
  • U.S. Bank Trust Company
  • Term Expires: January 2030*
  • Resident of Woodbury, Minnesota

ERICH HEPPNER

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

Mary F. Ives, FISCAL YEAR 2027 BOARD VICE-CHAIR

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

Tim rice

  • Retired CEO
  • Lakewood Health System
  • Term Expires: January 2030*
  • Resident of Motley, Minnesota
  • Outstate Minnesota Member

Bonnie M. Anderson Rons, FISCAL YEAR 2027 BOARD CHAIR

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

David D. Rowland

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

Kenneth Westphal, FISCAL YEAR 2027 BOARD SECRETARY

  • 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

michelle scott

  • Budget Director, Financial Services Division
  • 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.)