Penny Named President of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation

Former Congressman Tim Penny, once a gubernatorial candidate, has been named president of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF).

SMIF, an offshoot of the McKnight Foundation, provides grants and aid to spur development in Southern Minnesota.

Penny says he hopes to continue SMIF’s work in improving work-force development, promoting bioagricultural and biomedical investment, and community building.

“Healthy, thriving communities rely on sustainable systems, innovative uses of human and natural resources, and a strong, steady workforce,” said Penny in a statement.Penny represented Minnesota’s 1st congressional district as a Democrat from 1982 to 1994.  In 2002, he ran for governor as a candidate for the Independence Party, finishing third behind Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty and then-state Sen. Roger Moe, a Democrat.  Penny has also served as co-chairman of the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute Forum.