One Minnesota 2013

Former Congressman, Gil Gutknecht of Minnesota served 12 years in the Minnesota House of Representatives before serving 12 years in the U.S. House. He served as Vice Chair of the House Science Committee where he was involved with federal research into new technologies. He also served as Chairman of an Ag Subcommittee that oversaw renewable energy programs. He chaired the Congressional Study Group on Germany that met regularly with top German political and business leaders.

He believes as Rev. Jesse Jackson does that "If you want to change the world, you must first change your neighborhood; If you can't change your neighborhood, at least be a good example."

Congressman Gutknecht is especially proud of his service on the House Budget Committee. During his tenure on that Committee, the federal budget was balanced and nearly half a trillion dollars worth of federal debt was paid off. He strongly believes that it is fundamentally immoral for one generation to artificially improve their standard of living by borrowing against the next.

He frequently speaks to college students around the country about his time in elected office. While in Congress he did a call in radio show which ultimately grew to a network of 13 stations. He can still be heard as a frequent contributor on call in talk shows. Gil believes in giving back. He is an accomplished Auctioneer. Using his skills, he has helped raise over $2 million for charities ranging from 4H and the Boy Scouts to Cancer Research. He also advises and consults with several start up technology companies.

Gutknecht, a leader in promoting environmentally friendly alternative energy technologies was appointed by the Secretaries of Agriculture and Energy to Co-Chair the Federal Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of TransparaGov Corporation, a leading developer of software tools designed to bring visual analytic technologies used by Fortune 500 Companies to governmental bodies. These tools help policy-makers be better stewards of public funds. They can make smarter decisions, help prevent fraud while promoting greater transparency and accountability.

He met his wife Mary at the University of Northern Iowa where he graduated with a degree in business. They have three grown children and two small grandchildren.

Scott D. Pattison serves as the Executive Director of the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) in Washington, D.C.

Founded in 1945, NASBO serves as the professional organization for all state budget officers of the fifty states and U.S. territories. NASBO collects data and publishes numerous reports on state fiscal conditions. The association also provides training for members and provides public officials, the media and citizens information on state financial management and budgeting.

Prior to coming to NASBO, Pattison served for four years as Virginia’s state budget director. Previous to serving as a state budget officer, Pattison headed the Regulatory and Economic Analysis section of the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget. He also served in a variety of capacities in the office of the Virginia Attorney General, including as Counsel. Pattison served on several boards in Virginia, including the Debt Capacity Advisory Board, the College Building Authority and the state’s Performance Management Advisory Committee.

Pattison began his career with the federal government serving in several positions at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in Washington, D.C., including as an Attorney-Advisor. He also briefly ran a small non-profit focusing on consumer protection issues. Pattison graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. in 1984 and received his law degree in 1987 from the University of Virginia, where he was inducted into the Raven Society.

Kathy Schmidlkofer is the Executive Vice President of the regional economic development partnership, GREATER MSP. GREATER MSP is a public-private partnership dedicated to providing leadership, coordination and engagement to grow the economy of the 13-county Minneapolis Saint Paul region. With its economic development partners from throughout the region, GREATER MSP is advancing coordinated efforts in regional economic development strategy, creation of a regional brand and marketing program to promote the region’s assets and in regional business retention, expansion, and recruitment programs to stimulate capital investment and job creation in the region.

Kathy also has extensive private sector experience as a finance executive with General Mills. She held a variety of increasingly responsible financial roles over her 25 year career. Her most recent assignments were Vice President, Finance for the Meals and Yoplait divisions, and Vice President, Finance for the General Mills Canadian Subsidiary located in Toronto, Canada where she successfully led the integration of Pillsbury Canada business after the acquisition in 2001.

Duane Benson, Lanesboro, was appointed as one of five commissioners of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority by Governor Mark Dayton in June 2012. He was the executive director of the Minnesota Business Partnership from 1994 to 2003. Benson served in the Minnesota Senate from 1980 to 1994 and was the Senate Minority Leader for a period during that time. He graduated with honors from Hamline University. Benson was drafted into the NFL and played 11 seasons as a linebacker for the Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons and Houston Oilers.

He continues to own and operate a cattle farm in Southern Minnesota and is active in numerous civic and charitable organizations.

A resident of the First Congressional District, Benson was first appointed to the Board of Trustees by Governor Tim Pawlenty in 2004. He was reappointed by Governor Pawlenty in 2010 for a six-year term ending on June 30, 2016.

Scott D. Pattison has served as the Executive Director of the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) in Washington, D.C. since 2001.

Founded in 1945, NASBO serves as the professional organization for all state budget officers of the fifty states and U.S. territories. NASBO collects data and publishes numerous reports on state fiscal conditions and organizes meetings and training for budget and finance officials. The organization also provides public officials, the media and citizens detailed information on state financial management and budgeting.

Prior to coming to NASBO, Pattison served for four years as Virginia’s state budget director and also headed the Regulatory and Economic Analysis section of the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget. He previously served in a variety of capacities in the office of the Virginia Attorney General, including as Counsel on finance issues.

Pattison has served on numerous boards and has been an adjunct faculty member at the University of Richmond and recently served on the board of Old Dominion University. He is a fellow with the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) and is currently Vice Chair of the Association for Budgeting and Financial Management (ABFM).

Pattison began his career as an attorney with the federal government serving in several positions at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in Washington, D.C. including as an Attorney-Advisor.

Pattison graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and received his law degree from the University of Virginia. Identified as an important “Player” in public policy by The Washington Post, Pattison is frequently interviewed by national news organizations including The New York Times and National Public Radio.

David Jennings is a native of Truman, Minnesota. A graduate of Truman Public Schools and Mankato State University, he served in the Marine Corps from 1968 – 1973. After his military service, Jennings got involved in politics. Martin and Watonwan Counties elected Jennings to his first term in the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1978. In 1985, he became Speaker of the House. In Jennings’ career outside of the capitol, he held many positions, both public and private. These include Executive Director of Associated Builders and Contractors, Corporate Executive at Schwan's Food Company, Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce, CEO of Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, COO of Minneapolis Public Schools, Superintendent of Minnepolis Public Schools, Deputy Director of Finance and Operations at the Minnesota Historical Society, and Superintendent of Schools for Eastern Carver County. Mr. Jennings has been enjoying retirement since July of 2010.

He is a graduate of Minnesota State-Mankato with a B.S. in Social Studies teaching and has a M.A. and Specialist Degrees from the University of Minnesota in Educational Administration. He served on the Austin, MN, City Council prior to his election to the MN Senate in 1976. He served in the MN Senate from 1977-1986, where he was the chair of the Education Finance Committee from 1982-1986. During his 40 plus years in education, he has been a classroom teacher, a school district finance administrator, and for the past 19 years has served as a Superintendent of Schools both in MN and Wyoming.

He is married, has four children and currently resides in Woodbury, MN.

Dr. Kevin J. Kopischke, President of Alexandria Technical and Community College, began his career in education at the Alexandria Technical and Community College as a student teacher in the Marketing program in 1976. Upon completion of his student teaching experience, he was employed by the college and taught for 10 years in the Marketing and Hotel, Motel & Restaurant Management programs.

Dr. Kopischke’s first administrative experience was at Central Lakes College, where he served as a Vice President from 1986 – 1991. In 1991, he returned to Alexandria Technical and Community College where he served as a Vice President until 2004, and then began his presidency in June 2004.

Dr. Kopischke’s educational background includes an Associate of Applied Science degree in Restaurant Management from the University of Minnesota - Crookston, a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing Education from St. Cloud State University, a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership from St. Cloud State University, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Minnesota - St. Paul.

Dr. Kopischke brings a great deal of energy and passion for the critical and changing role of the community / technical college and its impact on rural economic vitality and rural communities. He is a student of the changing marketplace of higher education and a champion for college readiness, responsiveness, and accountability.

Dr. Kopischke and his wife, Donna, have three grown children.

In September 2007, Stephen Lehmkuhle came to the University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR) as the first Chancellor of the University of Minnesota coordinate campus. Chancellor Lehmkuhle came to Rochester from the University of Missouri system, where he served as vice president for academic affairs, the senior vice president for academic affairs for over ten years. He also served as the interim chancellor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Dr. Lehmkuhle earned his Ph.D. in experimental psychology at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. During his career he has held academic positions at the University of Virginia, Brown University and the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

As the Rochester Chancellor, he has hired a leadership team, built new innovative degree programs, engaged the campus and community in master planning, launched a student recruitment effort, hired faculty and staff, and established a variety of unique partnerships with the private and public sectors to meet the programmatic and infrastructure needs of a new campus.