ST PAUL, Minn. — Governor Tim Walz has named Willie Jett to assume responsibility for Minnesota’s Department of Education as its next commissioner.
Jett’s appointment was among the six new commissioners the Walz Administration named on Wednesday.
Jett, who works at the University of Minnesota as a lecturer and program coordinator, says he was grateful for the nomination.
“Great work happens in community, and I look forward to partnering with educators, legislators, businesses, and higher education,” Jett said in a statement.
The Walz-Flanagan Administration also promoted Brooke Cunningham, the assistant commissioner of the Health Equity Bureau at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), to the role of MDH commissioner.
“We look forward to working with Dr. Cunningham to fix the widespread issues in Minnesota hospitals and our healthcare system overall." said Mary Turner, president, Minnesota Nurses Association, in a statement.
The administration also appointed Bob Jacobson, currently serving as interim deputy assistant commissioner in the Department of Human Services, to the role of Commissioner of Public Safety.
“My goal will be to elevate and support the people who serve our state and our communities in their public safety mission, and to tirelessly and faithfully engage our partners and neighbors for the common goal of safe communities.” he said in a release.
Additionally, the administration appointed executive director of the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools, Ida Rukavina, to serve as Commissioner of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation, and promoted temporary Commissioner of Labor and Industry, Nicole Blissenbach, to the role full-time.
Finally, the administration named DFL state Rep. Paul Marquart as MN’s next commissioner of revenue.
The Department of Revenue manages over 30 different taxes and collects $26.7 billion annually, according to a statement.
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