By Albert Lea Tribune

Former 1st District Congressman Tim Penny has been named the president of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation.

The SMIF board of trustees made its announcement Tuesday. Penny is the third president since 1986, when the nonprofit organization was established by the Minneapolis-based McKnight Foundation. Its mission is to foster growth and vitality in southern Minnesota economies.

&8220;I have a great deal of respect for the foundation&8217;s history and its profound impact on our communities and local economy,&8221; said Penny. &8220;Over two decades, the foundation has become a major change-agent in the region. I&8217;m proud and excited to work alongside our community leaders to foster creative approaches that will leverage resources in areas where we can have the greatest impact for our citizens.&8221;

Penny was selected from a national pool of candidates after a year-long review process by a search committee that included current and former board members. He will begin serving as president in April.

&8220;Tim is a leader and visionary in Minnesota and the nation,&8221; said SMIF board chairman Dan Bonneur, &8220;and his depth and breadth of experience makes him a tremendous asset to the foundation&8217;s future.&8221;

Penny represented Minnesota&8217;s 1st District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1982 to 1994. He was a member of the Minnesota State Senate from 1976 to 82. Most recently, Penny was a lawyer at Himle Horner, a Twin Cities-based public relations and public affairs firm, and co-chairman of the Humphrey Institute Forum at the University of Minnesota.

Penny takes over the office from Carol Cerney, the board-appointed interim executive director.

Cerney has been a leading staff member at SMIF for 11 years, most recently serving as vice president, and she will remain a lead staff member of the foundation.

Penny&8217;s extensive background complements many of SMIF&8217;s key interests, including the areas of workforce development, early childhood development, and economic development with a focus on bio-ag and bio-medical. Penny sees these areas as having the biggest growth potential for the region and the greatest impact on the future economy in southern Minnesota.

Penny believes SMIF can serve southern Minnesota in three key areas:

– Improve workforce development.

– Promote bio-business.

– Build community vitality.

Past SMIF presidents include Trixie Ann Golberg (1993-2006) and Linda Jacobson (1986-1993).

Born and raised in southeastern Minnesota, Penny received his degree in political science from Winona State University. Penny has four adult children and resides in Waseca.