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There is new, temporary leadership at a prominent Minnesota business advocacy group after the sudden departure of the prior top executive.

The Minnesota Business Partnership named Erika Nelson and Abby Loesch as interim co-CEOs after the resignation of Kurt Zellers. 

Zellers had run the organization since September 2023. He hads a background in Republican politics, having served a stint as Minnesota House speaker and an unsuccessful run for governor in 2014. 

The group didn't provide a reason for his departure, saying only that he “is no longer with the organization.” He didn’t return a message about his status.

“Our focus remains on advancing our mission and ensuring continuity for our partners, stakeholders and the communities we serve,” said Sara Barten, the partnership’s communications director.

The partnership represents senior executives at Minnesota's largest companies. It has a team of lobbyists at the Capitol. They have traditionally advocated for lower taxes, less regulation and improvements to state education policy, among other topics.

A search process has begun to find a new chief executive.

Nelson has been chief of staff at the partnership and is a former top staff member to U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democratic candidate for governor. Loesch was in charge of the group’s education and workforce policy efforts and has deep experience in Republican politics.

It’s just one of the big shifts ahead for the Minnesota business community. 

 of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce at the end of this year. He had led the 6,300-member group since 2015. No successor has been named and a search process is in progress.

Meanwhile, the Minneapolis and St. Paul chambers of commerce have been 

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A sudden departure of Kurt Zellers at the Minnesota Business Partnership is just one of the changes ahead for business advocacy groups in the state.

Kurt Zellers departs as Minnesota Business Partnership CEO in latest business lobby shuffle

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