The Center for Rural Policy and Development announced the election of Steve Wenzel of Little Falls as the chairman of the board of directors.
The Center for Rural Policy and Development is a non-partisan, not-for-profit policy research organization dedicated to benefiting Minnesota by providing its policy makers with unbiased information and evaluation of issues from a rural perspective.
Wenzel, a lifelong resident of Little Falls, was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1972 and served continuously until Aug. 6, 2001, when he was appointed by President George W. Bush to be Minnesota state director of Rural Development in the United States Department of Agriculture, a position he served in until Jan. 20, 2009.
While a member of the Minnesota Legislature, Wenzel served on the House Agriculture Committee for 29 years and served as its chairman for 16 years while representing Morrison and Crow Wing counties. His focus on rural economic development issues, greater Minnesota infrastructure and higher education funding found him to be consistently regarded as one of the areas most devoted public servants by his constituents.
"I am very honored to have been elected chairman of the Center for Rural Policy and Development. This is truly a great organization whose board members and staff are strongly committed to advancing the best interests of rural Minnesota," Wenzel said in a news release. "I will do my very best to advance the goals and objectives of the center and that will improve the economy and quality of life for the people of rural Minnesota."
ADVERTISEMENT
"Steve Wenzel's leadership to the Center for Rural Policy and Development is emblematic of his commitment to public service in Minnesota," said Julie Tesch, president and CEO of the Center of Rural Policy and Development, in a news release. "He is authentic, pragmatic and always in search of new research to help make Minnesota a better place to live for generations to come."
Currently, Wenzel is a professor of political science at Central Lakes College in Brainerd and also serves as executive director of the Gordon Rosenmeier Center for State and Local Government.
