NEWS RELEASE

St. Louis County Administrator Candidates

Following a comprehensive recruitment and selection process, Chair Steve Raukar announced that the St. Louis County Board of Commissioners has certified four (4) candidates as finalists for the County Administrator position. Scott O. Arneson, Ann M. Busche, Nicholas R. Dragisich, and Dana W. Frey, are the finalists in the St. Louis County Administrator executive search.

Scott O. Arneson, of Aitkin, Minnesota, has served as County Administrator for Aitkin County since 1996. Mr. Arneson is responsible for administering an annual budget of $22 million and oversees the provision of public services by approximately 340 employees. Mr. Arneson holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Hamline University.

Ann. M. Busche, of Duluth, Minnesota, has served as Deputy County Administrator for St. Louis County and is currently acting as its Interim County Administrator. During her tenure she has been the chief assistant to the County Administrator in planning county-wide administrative policies, activities and services. She has also served as Interim Social Services Director. Ms. Busche holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

Nicholas R. Dragisich, of Chisholm, Minnesota, is currently serving as an Executive Vice President and the Manager of Consulting Services for Springsted Inc. in St. Paul, Minnesota. Springsted Inc. provides financial advisory and management consulting services to cities, counties, schools, and higher education boards throughout the United States. Mr. Dragisich holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of St. Thomas.

Dana W. Frey, of Danbury, Wisconsin, is presently on assignment as a Senior Manager for an international consulting firm. In his current capacity, he assists international governments and their local jurisdictions in understanding and implementing best practices in budgeting, public expenditure management and taxation. Mr. Frey holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of North Dakota.

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