Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Michelle Gravenish, and the reappointment of Gary Brintnall and Robert A. Stein to the Minnesota Combative Sports Commission.

Brintnall, of Burnsville, is an assistant director of taxes with Canadian Pacific Railway, and has over 20 years of experience in its tax department. Previously, he was a tax examiner with the Minnesota Department of Revenue for five years. Brintnall, a licensed attorney and certified public accountant, earned his law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, his masters degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas, and his bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of Minnesota. Brintnall's mixed martial arts experience includes training at Combat Jujitsu School in Minneapolis and Bisons Submission Grappling (now known as Team Bison), and serving in a volunteer organization aimed at providing a regulatory structure for mixed martial arts events prior to its incorporation with the Minnesota Boxing Commission. Brintnall, who has been a member of the Combative Sports Commission since 2007 and served as its vice-chair in 2008, is reappointed as a member with knowledge of the mixed martial arts industry to a four-year term that expires on January 7, 2013.

Gravenish, of Bloomington, is a senior manager of database marketing with Select Comfort Corporation in Minneapolis. She completed her Ph.D. coursework in sociology at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, earned her masters degree in sociology from the University of Chicago, and her bachelor of arts degree with highest honors from the University of Minnesota. While in college, Gravenish was part of the U of M Judo team. She has won two silver medals in state Judo tournaments, took first place two years in a row in the Minnesota State Jujitsu and Submission Grappling tournaments, and has worked in mixed martial arts events as a timekeeper, official, inspector, and judge. Gravenish replaces Chad Riddler on the Combative Sports Commission as a member with knowledge of the mixed martial arts industry to complete a four-year term that expires on January 3, 2011.

Stein, of Minnetonka, is currently a senior consultant with Teleplus Consulting in Minneapolis. He has 30 years of experience in sports as a competitor, attorney, and senior executive, including serving as president and CEO of the Minnesota Timberwolves NBA franchise, and Target Center Arena; a self-employed attorney representing NFL, NBA, and NHL athletes; director of the Association of Representatives of Professional Athletes; and eight years in the NFL as a linebacker, where he played on the 1969 Kansas City Chiefs Superbowl Championship team. Stein earned his law degree from the University of Missouri Law School, graduating in the top 10 percent of his class while concurrently playing in the NFL. Stein earned his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Minnesota, where he was a Rhodes Scholarship semi-finalist, and one of only two football players to ever be selected both academic all-American and first team all-American. Stein, who has been a member of the Combative Sports Commission since 2007 and is currently its vice-chair, is reappointed as a member with knowledge of the boxing industry to a four-year term that expires on January 7, 2013.

The Minnesota Combative Sports Commission has sole direction, supervision, regulation, control, and jurisdiction over all boxing and tough person contests held within the state; sole control, authority, and jurisdiction over all licenses; may adopt rules including, but not limited to, the conduct of boxing exhibitions, bouts, fights, and their manner, supervision, time, and place; and must adopt unified rules for mixed martial arts. The Minnesota Combative Sports Commission, whose purpose is to protect health, promote safety, and ensure fair boxing and mixed martial arts events, consists of nine members appointed by the Governor, one of whom must be a retired Minnesota judge, three of whom must have knowledge of the boxing industry, and four of whom must have knowledge of the mixed martial arts industry.