Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of former Judge Terry Dempsey, and the reappointment of RD Brown and Craig Gallop to the Minnesota Combative Sports Commission.

Brown, of St. Paul, retired after a career in management, strategic planning, budgeting and community development in the non-profit field, most recently serving as vice president of child and family support services for Children’s Home Society and Family Services. He holds masters degrees in health services administration and business administration from Columbia Pacific University in San Rafael, California, and a bachelors degree in business administration and management from Central College in Pella, Iowa. Brown has been very active in local community organizations having served on numerous federal, state, and local committees. His mixed martial arts experience includes participating in local shimsas, assisting with regional tournaments, and he has won numerous awards in seniors free fighting. Brown, who has been a member of the Minnesota Combative Sports Commission since 2007, is reappointed to a position for a person with knowledge of the mixed martial arts industry to a four-year term that expires on January 6, 2014.

Dempsey, of New Ulm, was a Fifth Judicial District trial court judge in Watonwan County from 1992 until his retirement in 2002. Previously, he was the New Ulm City Attorney for 10 years, a Fifth Judicial District Public Defender, as well as an attorney in private practice. Dempsey was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1978 and was House Minority Leader at the time of his appointment to the bench in 1992. Dempsey earned his juris doctorate degree from the University of California, Hastings, College of Law and his bachelor of science degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. He is concluding his second term as a member of the Minnesota Board on Aging, and is an active volunteer in a number of community organizations. Dempsey replaces Judge John E. Cass on the Minnesota Combative Sports Commission to a position for a retired Minnesota judge to complete a four-year term that expires on January 3, 2011.

Gallop, of Minnetonka, is president of Sports Technology, and a sales representative for Musco Sports Lighting. Previously, he was vice president of Minnesota Playground, Inc., and assistant to the New Hope City Manager. Gallop is a former member of the Minnetonka Planning Commission, has coached youth football, baseball and hockey through the Hopkins/Minnetonka Youth Athletic Association, and was a boxing instructor with the Crystal Parks and Recreation Department. He is a former member of the United States Boxing Team and was an amateur and golden gloves boxer. Gallop earned his master of arts degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. He also served in the U.S. Navy from 1970 to 1972. Gallop, who has been a member of the Minnesota Combative Sports Commission since 2008, is reappointed to a position for a person with knowledge of boxing to a four-year term that expires on January 6, 2014.

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.