Board of Trustees
PERA Board of Trustees
PERA is governed by its Board of Trustees. The Board approves the operating budget, decides legislative policy and priorities, and hires the executive director. In addition, the Trustees establish the policies and procedures that govern operations at PERA, hear and rule on appeal matters of disabilitants, retirees, and members, and direct the dissemination of information to PERA’s members.
The Board consists of eleven members. The State Auditor is a member by statute, five trustees are appointed by the Governor to represent cities, counties, school boards, retirees and the public, respectively, and the remaining five members are elected by the PERA membership at large to represent the general active membership, Police & Fire plan members and all benefit recipients. All elected and appointed Board members serve four-year terms. The State Attorney General’s office provides legal counsel to the Association.
Board of Trustees Election Process
Five PERA members are elected to serve on the Board for four-year terms. Three of the seats are filled by active (presently working) members of the Association’s three largest defined benefit plans. The fourth seat is specifically designated to be occupied by an active member of the Police & Fire Plan. The fifth seat is designated to be filled by a former member of PERA who is either receiving a retirement annuity or disability benefit.
All five trustees are elected at large by the retirees, benefit recipients, and active members of PERA’s General, Police & Fire Plans, and Correctional Plans. Defined Contribution Plan participants who do not also belong to one of the Association’s defined benefit plans cannot vote.
The next Board of Trustees election is in January 2027.
Open Appointment Process
The Governor appoints five trustees to represent Minnesota cities, counties, school boards, retired annuitants, and the general public. The Trustees appointed to these positions also serve a four-year term.
Open positions are posted on this website with further information on the Secretary of State’s website. Individuals can apply online through the Office of the Secretary of State’s website, sos.state.mn.us, under Boards and Commissions-> Open Positions.
Openings for all state councils, boards, task forces, and commissions, along with application forms, and facts and questions (FAQ’s) can be found on the Secretary of State’s website under Open Appointments
The Board generally meets on the second Thursday of February, March, April, May, June, August, October and December. Meetings are held in the Retirement Systems of Minnesota Building at 60 Empire Drive in St. Paul, Minnesota. Meetings usually begin at 9:30 a.m. and are approximately two to three hours in length. Meetings are open to the public and subject to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law. Occasionally a special board meeting may be necessary. The date and time will be posted on this website in advance of the meeting.
2025 Meeting Schedule
February 13, 2025
March 13, 2025
April 10, 2025
May 8, 2025
June 12, 2025
August 14, 2025
October 9, 2025 (Meeting and Planning Workshop)
December 11, 2025
February 21, 2025 – Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan Announce Appointments
Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced the appointment of two individuals to PERA’s Board of Trustees. The Board welcomes:
>>David Minke, who was appointed to a four-year term through January 2029. Trustee Minke is serving as the Representative of Counties, replacing Scott Schulte.
>>Barb Johnson, who was re-appointed to a four-year term through January 2029. Trustee Johnson is serving as the Representative of Cities.
Meet PERA’s New Trustee: David Minke, appointed to represent counties, has over 27 years of experience in local government. He became the County Administrator for Pine County in 2012, working closely with county employees, elected officials, and community members to address complex challenges with transparency, accountability, and long-term solutions. As a dedicated public servant, he has an extensive background in financial management, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. He is passionate about ensuring that PERA’s decisions are guided by sound governance, data-driven insights, and a commitment to equity for all members and stakeholders. David holds a Bachelor of Arts in government from St. John’s University and a Master of Arts in public administration from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
February 13, 2025 – PERA Board of Trustees names Board President and Vice President
The PERA Board of Trustees voted unanimously at their February 13, meeting to re-elect Thomas Stanley as President and Dennis Flaherty as Vice President of the Board to servie for another year.
Thomas Stanley, active General and Correctional Plan representative, first appointed to fill a vacant board seat in March 2013. Tom is a senior attorney with the St. Louis County Attorney’s office since 2003. He has served as president of AFSCME Local 3761, director for Grandma’s Marathon, former president of the 11th District Bar Association, and serves on numerous non-profit and community boards. Tom brings experience, dedication, integrity, and depth and breadth of knowledge to the PERA Board as a trustee. Tom has served as the president since 2019.
Dennis Flaherty, elected to represent Retired, Disabled and Survivor members, grew up in Saint Paul and began his career as a police officer in the City of Brooklyn Center in 1974. He became the Executive Director of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (MPPOA) in 1986 and later left the Executive Director position to become Deputy Mayor of the City of Saint Paul in 2002. Dennis returned to his role as Executive Director of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association in 2008. Dennis has been an advocate for law enforcement officers in Minnesota and an ambassador for Minnesota’s law enforcement community to all Minnesotans. He has served as a Trustee since 2023.
2024
February 8, 2024
March 14, 2024
April 11, 2024
May 9, 2024
June 13, 2024
August 8, 2024
October 10, 2024 (Meeting and Planning Workshop)
December 12, 2024
2023
May 11, 2023 (Hybrid Meeting)
August 10, 2023 (Hybrid Meeting)
October 12, 2023 (Hybrid Meeting and Planning Workshop)
December 14, 2023 (Hybrid Meeting)
2022
February 10, 2022 (Hybrid Meeting)
April 14, 2022 (Hybrid Meeting)
May 12, 2022 (Hybrid Meeting)
June 9, 2022 (Hybrid Meeting)
August 11, 2022 (Hybrid Meeting)
October 13, 2022 (Meeting and Planning Workshop) (Hybrid Meeting)
December 8, 2022 (Hybrid Meeting)
2021
February 11, 2021 (Remote Meeting)
April 8, 2021 (Remote Meeting)
May 13, 2021 (Remote Meeting)
June 10, 2021
October 14, 2021 (Meeting and Planning Workshop) (Hybrid Meeting)
December 9, 2021 (Hybrid Meeting)
2020
April 9, 2020 (Remote Meeting)
May 14, 2020 (Remote Meeting)
June 11, 2020 (Remote Meeting)
August 13, 2020 (Remote Meeting)
October 8, 2020 (Meeting and Planning Workshop) (Remote Meeting)
December 10, 2020 (Remote Meeting)
2019
February 21, 2019
April 25, 2019
May 9, 2019 – CANCELED
June 13, 2019
August 8, 2019
October 10, 2019 (Meeting and Planning Workshop)
December 12, 2019
2018
January 9, 2018
February 8, 2018
April 12, 2018
May 10, 2018
June 14, 2018
August 9, 2018
October 11, 2018 — Meeting and Planning Workshop
December 13, 2018
2017
February 9, 2017
April 13, 2017
May 11, 2017
June 8, 2017 – CANCELED
August 10, 2017
October 12, 2017
December 14, 201