From Fridley High to MN Capitol to Mpls. City Hall: Aasen Is New City Coordinator

Paul Aasen, who once roamed the hallways of as a student, is now roaming the marble corridors of Minneapolis City Hall in his new position as city coordinator.

“I’m excited about working for a world class city with a world class future,” Aasen said in a statement.

'Very Lucky'
Aasen was sworn in Tuesday, after the Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously May 11 to approve his appointment by Mayor R.T. Rybak.

“We are very lucky to have someone with Paul Aasen’s extensive experience in this important role,” said City Council President Barb Johnson, also in a statement.

Aasen resigned as commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to take the Minneapolis city coordinator job. Gov. Dayton appointed Aasen to the MPCA post in 2010.

In recent statements, Dayton called Aasen "an excellent commissioner" and heaped praise on his outgoing MPCA head: “Commissioner Aasen has done a superb job leading a state agency with critically important responsibilities. ... Our loss will be Minneapolis' great gain.”

'Watch List'
Aasen's departure from state government came as Republican legislative leaders signaled they might not confirm his appointment.

In February after Senate Republicans removed Ellen Anderson as Dayton's Public Utilities Commission chair, Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Senjem said Aasen was on "a watch list" of other Dayton appointees who might have trouble gaining Senate confirmation.

(Another appointee on the "watch list," Department of Health Commissioner Ed Ehlinger, had two confirmation hearings scheduled then cancelled.)

"It doesn't mean we won't confirm them. We just need to get to know them a little bit better," Senjem said, according to MinnPost.

'Fundamental Values'
Aasen has also served in two other state administrations: as director of government relations and policy (2000–2003) and assistant commissioner of the Department of Public Safety (1999-2000) under Gov. Jesse Ventura; and executive director of the Minnesota Emergency Response Commission (1998–99) under Gov. Arne Carlson.

Among several jobs in the nonprofit sector, Aasen served as advocacy director of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy from 2007 to 2011.

Rybak cited Aasen's background in a statement announcing his swearing-in:

“I’m very pleased that Paul Aasen is already on the job as City Coordinator, and I thank the City Council for confirming him unanimously. ... Paul brings to one of Minneapolis’ most important roles some fundamental values that we all share: continuing to run our city well, with a focus on constant innovation and improvement. As the City's employees, leaders and external partners get to know him and understand what he’s already accomplished in 25 years of service in the public, private and nonprofit sectors, they will be as excited about what he will accomplish here, and about the future of Minneapolis, as I am.”