FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ST. PAUL, Minn.—The MNsure Board of Directors elected former State Senator Kathy Sheran as the new chair, replacing Phil Norrgard, whose term as board chair expired this month. Peter Benner was elected vice-chair.

Sen. Sheran, who joined the board in January 2017, began her new role as chair on June 19, 2019.

Norrgard served as MNsure chair from June 2017 to June 2019, and has been a part of the MNsure board since 2013. Norrgard’s board term ends in 2021.

“MNsure is the only place Minnesotans can access financial help for health coverage in the individual market, and it has been a privilege to serve as MNsure board chair,” said outgoing Chair Phil Norrgard. “Over the last few years we have focused on improving the customer experience and I know Senator Sheran will build on that momentum to help MNsure find new, innovative ways to best provide vital services to Minnesotans.”

The chair of the MNsure Board of Directors provides leadership and direction including developing annual objectives, creating board work groups and maintaining an effective board culture.

“We are grateful for Mr. Norrgard’s leadership over the past two years. Mr. Norrgard oversaw MNsure’s most successful open enrollment period to date as he prioritized operational changes and technology investments that improved the customer experience for those seeking health insurance in the individual market,” said CEO Nate Clark. “We are excited about the expertise in health care policy and public service Senator Sheran brings to the role, and look forward to her leadership in the years ahead.”

In 2016, Kathy Sheran retired after 10 years serving as Minnesota state senator for District 19, which includes all of Nicollet County, as well as portions of Blue Earth and Le Sueur counties. Prior to her service in the state Senate, Senator Sheran worked for over 35 years in health care as both a clinician and an associate professor at Minnesota State University Mankato. In the Senate, Sheran was a champion for health care issues, as well as serving as the chair of the Senate Health, Human Services and Housing Committee.

Peter Benner is an independent consultant who has demonstrated expertise in the areas of health administration, finance, purchasing and health care delivery systems. He has previously served as chair of the MNsure Board of Directors from 2015 to 2017. His board term ends in 2021.

MNsure experienced record-setting sign-ups during its sixth open enrollment period, which ran from November 1, 2018, to January 13, 2019. More information can be found at mnsure.org.