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The top economic development official in Gov. Mark Dayton's cabinet gave notice of her resignation "to pursue other opportunities," the administration announced Thursday.

Katie Clark Sieben is leaving her post as commissioner of Department of Employment and Economic Development next week after five years on the job. She will be replaced by Dayton Deputy Chief of Staff Shawntera Hardy.

A formal announcement was expected later in the day.

 In a news release, Dayton said Hardy is up to the challenge.

“As a member of my senior leadership team, she has consistently demonstrated her exceptional ability to manage complex organizations and engage a wide variety of viewpoints in solving difficult problems," Dayton said. "Ms. Hardy shares my commitment to eliminating economic disparities in our state, and building an economy that works for all Minnesotans, everywhere in Minnesota. I will strongly support her efforts to continue the progress that Commissioner Clark Sieben began.”

In a memo to department staff Clark Sieben thanked her colleagues for their friendship and support.

"It has truly been one of the greatest privileges of my life to serve in this role," she wrote. "Gov. Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith’s vision for Minnesota is – and has always been – to build a stronger Minnesota. I am beyond grateful for the trust they put in me to be a part of that effort, and to help lead us to where we are today."

Clark Sieben had worked in the agency as trade director before being elevated to the commissioner's position in 2012. When Dayton ran for governor in 2010, she was his campaign's finance chairwoman.

As commissioner, she has been the point person for two major economic development funds -- the Minnesota Investment Fund and the Minnesota Job Creation Fund -- designed to lure new companies or aid in expansions of existing ones.

Hardy has been a deputy chief of staff to Dayton since early 2015 and worked in nonprofit, health industry and local government before that.  In her governor's office role, she has helped coordinate the administration's response to various natural disasters and other emergencies. She has also been key player in the governor's bid to diversify the state workforce and to address racial inequities in society at large.

Politics and Government News

Capitol View®

Brian Bakst

Author

The head of Minnesota's economic development agency announces her departure after five years at helm.  Gov. Mark Dayton said his deputy chief of staff will take over the department.

Economic development chief Clark Sieben resigning

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