We're Here to Help
Whether you're looking to start a new business, expand an existing business, relocate from another state or country, export your goods, or need regulatory and permitting guidance, the State of Minnesota’s business consultants will help turn your plans into reality.
Our Team
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (MN DEED) is the state's principal economic and workforce development agency and your partner in doing business in Minnesota.
Economic Development Leadership
Matt Varilek
Commissioner
Kevin McKinnon
Deputy Commissioner, Economic Development and Research
[email protected]
(651) 259-7432
Business Development Office
Your guide to Minnesota. We work hand-in-hand with companies looking to expand or locate in Minnesota. Our team can assist you with site identification, addressing site due diligence needs, managing Minnesota's regulatory and permitting process, accessing financial assistance, tapping into workforce recruitment and training and development solutions, and more.
Catalina Valencia
Executive Director
[email protected]
(651) 259-7432
Business Development Managers
Chet Bodin
Northwest Region
[email protected]
(218) 232-0022
Bradley Brzezinski
Northeast Region
[email protected]
(218) 310-7757
Colleen Eddy
Twin Cities Metro Region
[email protected]
(651) 259-7459
Matt Hauck
Twin Cities Metro Region
[email protected]
(651) 259-7296
David Heyer
West Central Region
[email protected]
(651) 259-7468
Lisa Hughes
Southwest Region
[email protected]
(507) 344-2601
Natalie Siderius
Southeast Region
[email protected]
(507) 205-6069
Minnesota Business First Stop
Licensing, permitting and regulatory matters. Minnesota Business First Stop cuts through the thicket of state bureaucracy, programs, and services to find the right information and resources to help meet your development goals.
Chet Bodin
Director of Minnesota Business First Stop
[email protected]
855-893-2099
Workforce Strategy Consultants
We connect businesses to the talent they need to succeed through innovative workforce solutions and facilitating collaboration.
Jessica Miller
Director of Workforce Strategy and Southeast/Southwest Strategy Consultant
[email protected]
(507) 508-2578
Adesewa Adesiji
Metro Workforce Strategy Consultant
[email protected]
(952) 261-6942
Shayla Drake
Northeast Workforce Strategy Consultant
[email protected]
(218) 380-2510
Della Ludwig
Central Workforce Strategy Consultant
[email protected]
(320) 423-0121
James Whirlwind Soldier
Northwest Workforce Strategy Consultant
[email protected]
(651) 323-7891
Minnesota Trade Office
We provide international export assistance to Minnesota's manufacturers and service providers and help foreign companies explore the advantages of expanding or locating in Minnesota.
Note: Agricultural businesses seeking export guidance should contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
Gabrielle Gerbaud
Executive Director and Chief Protocol Officer
State of Minnesota
[email protected]
(651) 707-2387
Laurence Reszetar
Director, International Business Strategy
[email protected]
651-785-7211 (WhatsApp and iMessages welcome)
Elise Buchen
International Business Development Manager and Protocol Officer
[email protected]
651-387-0335
Rachel Limón
Regional Trade Manager: Higher Education, Latin America, Mexico, Caribbean, and China; Protocol Officer
[email protected]
(651) 259-7492
Nate Long
Regional Trade Specialist: Clean Tech & Energy Transition
[email protected]
651-248-3745
Barbara Mattson
Regional Trade Manager: Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand
[email protected]
(651) 248-7230
Mykola Megits
Regional Trade Manager: Central & Eastern Europe, and Central Asia
[email protected]
(651) 248-2215
Aeli Rosin
Regional Trade Specialist: MedTech and India; Protocol Officer
[email protected]
(651) 259-7487
Molly Rabbit
Administrative Specialist
[email protected]
Small Business & Innovation Office
We help startups and small businesses start, scale, and succeed by providing technical assistance, connections to resources, and access to capital.
Neela Mollgaard
Office of Small Business and Innovation
Executive Director
[email protected]
Rob Cimperman
Director, Launch Minnesota
[email protected]
Andrew Donahue
Director, Small Business Development Centers
[email protected]
Charles Schaffer
Director, Small Business Assistance
[email protected]
Brandon Toner
Director, Community Partnerships
[email protected]
Tammy Wickstrom
Director, Child Care Office
[email protected]
For a full list of the MN DEED’s Senior Leadership Team and contact information, click HERE.