Trade Policy Advisory Council

About the Council

The Trade Policy Advisory Council has 15 members. They include:

• The commissioner of employment and economic development or designee
• The commissioner of agriculture or designee
• The commissioner of administration or designee
• Two state senators, including one appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration, and one appoint by the minority leader
• Two members of the house of representatives, including one member appointed by the speaker of the house and one member appointed by the minority leader
• Eight members appointed by the governor. The governor's appointees shall represent specified interests, including organized labor, environmental interests, family farmers, business and industry, and international trade and development.

The council may invite representatives of other state agencies, industries, trade and labor organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and local governments to join the council and non-voting members.

Members serve two-year terms and may be reappointed. The chair is selected from the legislative members of the council. The council must meet at least once each fiscal year. Public members of the council serve without compensation or payment of expenses.

Council Members

Commissioner Appointees

Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (Designee: Executive Director, Minnesota Trade Office)

Commissioner Matt Massman, Minnesota Department of Administration

Commissioner Dave Frederickson, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Legislative Appointees

Sen. John Hoffman, Minnesota Senate

Sen. Jeremy Miller, Minnesota Senate

Rep. Jason Metsa, Minnesota House of Representatives

Rep. Rod Hamilton, Minnesota House of Representatives

Governor Appointees

Erik Brand, publisher and director of corporate programs, Inter-American Dialogue

Thomas Haag, board member, Minnesota Corn Growers Association

Sandra Renner, president, Global Resource Associates Inc.

Janiece Watts, project and administrative assistant, Environmental Initiative.

Steve Mertens, senior vice president of operations, Holaira

Doug Peterson, president, Minnesota Farmers Union

Edward Reynoso, political director, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Joint Council 32

Josh Wise, executive director, Minnesota Fair Trade Coalition