Saint Paul – Governor Pawlenty announced today the appointment of Steve Sviggum as commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB), effective December 2. He succeeds Tom Hanson who previously announced that he is leaving the administration for a position in the private sector.

“Steve has a wealth of government experience that will provide steady leadership at MMB as we conclude our work and prepare to transition to a new administration,” Governor Pawlenty said.

Sviggum has served as the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) since 2007. He is a former state legislator who served four terms as Speaker of the House and three terms as House Minority Leader. Sviggum has been honored by many business organizations, advocacy groups for the mentally disabled, and taxpayer watchdog groups.

Cindy Valentine, currently deputy commissioner at DLI, will become temporary commissioner at the agency.