Skip to main content
MENU
search

BOARD/COMMISSION:  Minnesota Zoological Board

Address

13000 Zoo Blvd.
Apple Valley, MN
55124

Web Site

Supporting Entity/Enabling Legislation Supported by MN Zoological Garden

ENABLING LEGISLATION
M.S. 85A.01; M.S. 15.0575
Enabled: 06-19-2015
Revisor of Statutes Link

Chair and Contact
CONTACT
CHAIR
TITLE
NAME
EMAIL
PHONE
PRIMARY
No support staff found.
TITLE
NAME
EMAIL
PHONE
PRIMARY
No chairs or co-chairs found.
Membership
The 30 members must have a background or interest in zoos, zoo management, or an ability to generate community interest in the Minnesota Zoological Garden. Fifteen of the members are appointed by the governor, one of whom must be a Dakota county resident appointed after consideration of a list supplied by the Dakota County Board; and 15 of the members are appointed by the Minnesota Zoological Board. To the extent possible, members will be appointed who are residents of the various geographical regions of the state.  Members should have the ability to garner support for the Minnesota Zoological Garden. 
Member Info

COMPENSATION

  • Per Diem: $125.00
  • Other Compensation:

MEMBERSHIP DETAILS

  • Requires Older Member - no
  • Requires Senate Approval - no
  • Members file campaign finance and disclosure - no
Entity Powers and Duties, Activity Summary
Under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 85A, the Minnesota Zoological Board is responsible for supervision and control of the Minnesota Zoological Garden.  

ACTIVITY SUMMARY

Approve budgets both operative and capital, enact rules, establish admissions rates, hire and evaluate executive director.
Meeting Information
Meetings typically last: 8 per year, plus time spend on committees, task forces, special projects and event attendance
Meeting Frequency: Meetings are normally held four times a year. Committees meet as needed.

Meetings are held at:
Meetings are held at the Minnesota Zoological Garden or at various Twin Cities locations.


Fiscal Information
Annual Staff Hours: 2000.00
Total Appropriations:
Appropriations Description:
Fiscal Year Expenses: $3,000.00

Expenses Description:

Open Positions (13)
POSITION SEAT AUTHORITY 21-DAY MIN GUARANTEE #SEATS ACTION
Member - Gov Appt Member - Gov Appt #13 Governor 11/21/2024 1 APPLY
Member - Gov Appt Member - Gov Appt #2 Governor 11/21/2024 1 APPLY
Member - Gov Appt Member - Gov Appt #4 Governor 11/21/2024 1 APPLY
Member - Gov Appt Member - Gov Appt #7 Governor 11/21/2024 1 APPLY
Member - Gov Appt Member - Gov Appt #9 Governor 4/25/2025 1 APPLY
Member - Zoo Board Appt Member - Zoo Board Appt #1 MN Zoological Board 4/25/2025 1 APPLY
Member - Zoo Board Appt Member - Zoo Board Appt #11 MN Zoological Board 11/22/2021 1 APPLY
Member - Zoo Board Appt Member - Zoo Board Appt #13 MN Zoological Board 4/25/2025 1 APPLY
Member - Zoo Board Appt Member - Zoo Board Appt #14 MN Zoological Board 6/5/2020 1 APPLY
Member - Zoo Board Appt Member - Zoo Board Appt #2 MN Zoological Board 6/5/2019 1 APPLY
Member - Zoo Board Appt Member - Zoo Board Appt #3 MN Zoological Board 4/25/2025 1 APPLY
Member - Zoo Board Appt Member - Zoo Board Appt #6 MN Zoological Board 4/25/2025 1 APPLY
Member - Zoo Board Appt Member - Zoo Board Appt #8 MN Zoological Board 4/25/2025 1 APPLY
NAME POSITION APPLICATION DATE
Tyler Coleman Member - Gov Appt 11/21/2024
Beth Forsythe Member - Gov Appt 4/8/2025
Jeff Johnson Member - Gov Appt 4/5/2025
Katie Knutson Member - Gov Appt 1/25/2025
Candi Lemarr Member - Gov Appt 1/21/2025
Avi Olitzky Member - Gov Appt 5/19/2025
Richard Tepe Member - Gov Appt 11/17/2024
Ami Wazlawik Member - Gov Appt 12/10/2024
Mark Babineau Member - Zoo Board Appt 2/12/2025
Charlene Briner Member - Zoo Board Appt 8/14/2024
Randall Flick Member - Zoo Board Appt 8/14/2024
Luke Motschenbacher Member - Zoo Board Appt 8/14/2024
Laurie Pumper Member - Zoo Board Appt 6/24/2025
Michael Robole Member - Zoo Board Appt 4/7/2025
Michael Sanders Member - Zoo Board Appt 12/6/2024
Daniel Sheridan Member - Zoo Board Appt 5/15/2025
No pending appointments found.
POSITION/SEAT
APPOINTING AUTHORITY
MEMBER NAME
STATUS
TERM END
Direct Appointments
 No Direct Appointments were found.
Current Members (30)
POSITION/SEAT
APPOINTING AUTHORITY
MEMBER NAME
STATUS
TERM END
Member - Gov Appt
Member - Gov Appt #1
Governor
Grace Chou
Filled
01/04/2027
Member - Gov Appt #2
Governor
Jose Acosta-Reyes
Posted
01/06/2025
Member - Gov Appt #3
Governor
Kent Peterson
Filled
01/04/2027
Member - Gov Appt #4
Governor
Robert Freeman
Posted
01/06/2025
Member - Gov Appt #5
Governor
Rebecca Crooks-Stratton
Filled
01/03/2028
Member - Gov Appt #6
Governor
Anna Boroff
Filled
01/05/2026
Member - Gov Appt #7
Governor
Leigh Johnson
Posted
01/06/2025
Member - Gov Appt #8
Governor
Eric Galler
Filled
01/04/2027
Member - Gov Appt #9
Governor
Hue Nguyen
Posted
01/05/2026
Member - Gov Appt #10
Governor
Randall Knutson
Filled
01/03/2028
Member - Gov Appt #11
Governor
Barry Landy
Filled
01/05/2026
Member - Gov Appt #12
Governor
Ms. Sarah Weeks
Filled
01/04/2027
Member - Gov Appt #13
Governor
Beth Forsythe
Posted
01/06/2025
Member - Gov Appt #14
Governor
Mrs. Angela Dean
Filled
01/03/2028
Member - Gov Appt #15
Governor
Kerry Hanifl
Filled
01/04/2027
Member - Zoo Board Appt
Member - Zoo Board Appt #1
MN Zoological Board
Jason Jennings
Posted
06/30/2025
Member - Zoo Board Appt #2
MN Zoological Board
Laura Bordelon
Posted
06/30/2019
Member - Zoo Board Appt #3
MN Zoological Board
Frank Weidner
Posted
06/30/2025
Member - Zoo Board Appt #4
MN Zoological Board
Randall Flick
Filled
06/30/2026
Member - Zoo Board Appt #5
MN Zoological Board
Mr. Daniel Wolter
Term ends in 4 days
06/30/2025
Member - Zoo Board Appt #6
MN Zoological Board
Kenneth Cutler
Posted
06/30/2025
Member - Zoo Board Appt #7
MN Zoological Board
Ms Jana Johnson
Term ends in 4 days
06/30/2025
Member - Zoo Board Appt #8
MN Zoological Board
Charlene Briner
Posted
06/30/2025
Member - Zoo Board Appt #9
MN Zoological Board
Rahul Koranne
Past Term End
01/02/2024
Member - Zoo Board Appt #10
MN Zoological Board
Braden Prickett
Term ends in 4 days
06/30/2025
Member - Zoo Board Appt #11
MN Zoological Board
Al Cady
Posted
01/01/2022
Member - Zoo Board Appt #12
MN Zoological Board
Luke Motschenbacher
Filled
06/30/2027
Member - Zoo Board Appt #13
MN Zoological Board
Richard Vogel
Posted
06/30/2025
Member - Zoo Board Appt #14
MN Zoological Board
Cynthia Arnold
Posted
06/30/2020
Member - Zoo Board Appt #15
MN Zoological Board
Maureen Scallen Failor
Term ends in 4 days
06/30/2025
ALL BOARDS/COMMISSIONS

© 2025 Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State - Terms & Conditions
The Office of the Secretary of State is an equal opportunity employer