Holsten named DNR commissioner

By Don Davis
Bemidji Pioneer

ST. PAUL — One of Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s former legislative colleagues is his new natural resources commissioner.

Mark Holsten, a Stillwater resident and University of Minnesota-Duluth graduate, served in the Minnesota House for 10 years before becoming the No. 2 official in the Department of Natural Resources nearly four years ago.

He replaces Gene Merriam, whose resignation was announced Dec. 7.

Two weeks from beginning his second four-year term, Pawlenty also announced on Monday that Cal Ludeman of Tracy becomes human services commissioner and Brad Moore of Mahtomedi takes over as pollution control commissioner.

Both were acting commissioners.

And Pawlenty announced the resignation of his third chief of staff, former Sen. David Gaither.

Holsten, who did not return a call seeking comment, is liked by many lawmakers who served with him.

“Mark has done a good job as a legislative liaison,” Rep. Al Juhnke, DFL-Willmar, said. “Really he has been the voice of the department and the voice of the commissioner at the Legislature.

“No. 2, he understands the importance of wildlife and habitat. But he also will sit down with a guy like me to find the balance between agriculture and habitat. I think Mark is the guy to do it.”

Juhnke said he hopes Holsten continues to be the DNR’s representative at legislative hearings because he has experience of being both the majority and minority parties in the House, as well as having been chairman of a natural resources committee.

“I think he fits the model of our new moderate governor as well,” Juhnke added, referring to the perception that Pawlenty has become more of a middle-of-the-road governor since last month’s election.

Holsten probably will have no trouble being confirmed by senators, Sen. Gary Kubly, DFL-Granite Falls, said.

“He is kind of a moderate guy,” said Kubly, chairman of a Senate natural resources committee. “I think he is a pretty good pick.”

“Mark Holsten has the experience, talent and know-how to build on the great work that’s been accomplished over the last four years at DNR and to bring additional reform and accountability to the management of our great outdoors,” the Republican governor said.

Holsten’s appointment makes him one of the highest profile officials in state government in a department that gets a lot of interest from Minnesotans.

Holsten, 41, became deputy DNR commissioner when Pawlenty took office. In that role, he was responsible for overseeing the department’s budget and operations. He also oversaw the fish and wildlife division, as well as northwest, northeast, central and southern Minnesota regional DNR offices.

As deputy commissioner, he was the DNR’s face at the Capitol when issues such as all-terrain vehicle trails were debated.

Holsten graduated from UMD with a sociology and history degree. He and his wife, Lisa, live in Stillwater with two children.

Ludeman, 55, takes over the biggest state agency. He was acting commissioner since Moorhead native Kevin Goodno resigned last summer.

The Department of Human Services spends $17.8 billion every two years and has 7,000 employees.

Like Holsten, Ludeman is a former legislator. He and other family members own a farm near Tracy, where he lives with his wife, Deb.

Moore, 45, has been acting Minnesota Pollution Control Agency commissioner since August. Before that, he was assistant DNR commissioner.

While at DNR, Moore worked to make the state’s forest products industry more competitive.

Gaither leaves Pawlenty’s office “to explore other opportunities,” according to a governor’s news release.

The announcements Monday, plus others more than a week ago, are common for a governor headed into a new term.

“During the transition period, it’s natural to have changes in our team,” Pawlenty said in a prepared statement.