Overview: The 2021 session of the Minnesota Legislature has been completed. Now, what got done? What didn’t get done? And what is the impact on the housing industry and the rest of Minnesota?

We are thrilled to have the following Panelists:

Therese Kuvaas, Government Relations Manager, Minnesota Bankers Association

Therese Kuvaas is the Minnesota Bankers Association’s Government Relations manager, advocating on behalf of Minnesota’s banks at the Minnesota Capitol, overseeing the MBA’s federal and state grassroots activities, and coordinating MBA’s annual Bank Day at the Capitol and the MBA Washington DC trip. She is the Treasurer of the MinnBank Federal and State PACs and a member of the ABA BankPAC Board. Therese has been with the MBA over 18 years.

Previously, Therese served as the Committee Legislative Assistant to the Minnesota House of Representatives Health and Human Services Policy Committee. She also has served as a legislative aid to numerous members of the House of Representatives. There has worked on numerous successful campaigns, both legislatively and gubernatorial.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling the world with her daughters and volunteering at Sharing and Caring Hands when we are not in a pandemic.

Cullen Sheehan

Cullen D. Sheehan represents clients before the Minnesota legislature on a variety of commerce, housing, education, and transportation issues. He is widely known in Minnesota and at the State Capitol for his ability to work with diverse coalitions and stakeholders to accomplish clients’ goals.

Prior to joining LGN, Mr. Sheehan served in numerous capacities at the highest levels of politics and government. He served as Chief of Staff to the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus and was instrumental in leading them to their first majority in 38 years. In 2011 Mr. Sheehan received an award as a Leader in Public Policy from Politics In Minnesota/Capitol Report as the Top Legislative Staffer at the Minnesota State Capitol. In addition, he served as a senior advisor to United States Senator Norm Coleman and was Coleman’s campaign manager in one of the most expensive and closest Senate races in Minnesota history.

Mr. Sheehan has developed extensive national networks through his work in Republican politics. Notably, he was the Midwest Regional Political Director for the Republican National Committee and served as the Executive Director of the Republican Party of Iowa. Additionally, he has served in senior roles on numerous U.S. senatorial, congressional, and gubernatorial campaigns.

A graduate of Saint Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota, Mr. Sheehan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and minored in Public Administration. He serves on the St. Croix Preparatory Academy Foundation Board. Additionally, he is a council member of AIPAC Minnesota and is a past board member of Spare Key and the Citizens League.

Moderator: John Apitz

John Apitz has spent more than four decades working in Minnesota politics as a lobbyist, campaign consultant and staff to political leaders including U.S. Senator Hubert Humphrey, Congressman Tim Penny, Attorney General Hubert “Skip” Humphrey and St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman. He was also a partner with the law firm of Messerli Kramer for 30 years where he represented clients in the agriculture, transportation, gaming, public safety communications industries and several conservation and environmental groups, including the Minnesota Zoo.

Currently, John is the Executive Director of the Minnesota Regional Railroads Association, the trade group for Minnesota’s 18 freight railroads. His work with the industry spans more than 25 years as a lobbyist and association manager.

John serves on the Board Directors of History Theatre in St. Paul and on the 2nd Century Campaign with St. John’s Church UCC on Madeline Island.

Information being updated daily – please check back!!