Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:

• Jeff Johnson, County Commissioner, 612-708-4804
• Carolyn Marinan, Communications, 612-910-9111

Commissioner Johnson to retire from county board and work with nonprofit Can Do Canines

Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson will leave the county board in early December to serve as Executive Director at Can Do Canines, a nonprofit organization that raises and trains service dogs for people with disabilities.

Johnson has been a member of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners since 2009. During his time on the county board, he has focused his attention on issues of public safety, fiscal restraint and ensuring that programs produce measurable positive results and outcomes. 

“It has been a tremendous honor to serve my constituents on the board for nearly three terms,” Johnson said. “While I've certainly raised a lot of questions over the years about programs and spending priorities, I've found the commitment of our staff and the quality of county leadership to be exceptional."

Prior to serving on the board, Johnson was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2001 to 2006 and twice was the Republican nominee for Governor of Minnesota. He worked as an employment attorney at law firms in Chicago and Minneapolis and founded his own firm 20 years ago providing training and investigation services to businesses throughout the country.

Johnson announced in 2016 that his third term would be his last on the county board, consistent with the same three-term limit he placed on himself while in the House of Representatives.  

“My time in government and politics has been exciting and meaningful to me, but it’s time to move on and use my experience and the talents God has given me in a different way. I couldn’t be more excited to lead Can Do Canines into its next season,” Johnson said. 

More information about Can Do Canines

Can Do Canines was founded in 1989 and is the largest service dog organization in Minnesota. It’s dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities through the placement of specially trained dogs to assist with issues of hearing, mobility, seizures, diabetes and autism.

Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at hennepin.us/news.

Discover how we're making a difference in our communities at hennepin.us/stories.