Former Target executive John Griffith, a sometime critic of the public management of U.S. Bank Stadium, has lost his seat on the board after Gov. Mark Dayton declined to reappoint him.
Griffith was one of four commissioners on the board of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, two of whom are appointed by Dayton. The governor also appointed Chairwoman Michele Kelm-Helgen, who at the time was his deputy chief of staff.
Griffith is the latest critic of Kelm-Helgen to leave the board that oversees the biggest public-private project in state history. Griffith sharply criticized Kelm-Helgen after the public resignation of Duane Benson, the board's former treasurer, Republican legislator and head of the Minnesota Business Partnership, the trade organization for the CEOs of the state's largest corporations.
Benson left the board more than a year ago after his disagreement with Kelm-Helgen. Both he and Griffith repeatedly questioned Kelm-Helgen's management style, duties and salary. The two argued that the state shouldn't be paying almost $300,000 to employ her and Executive Director Ted Mondale for doing the same job.
Griffith, who has a long career in operations and development, said he sent a letter to Dayton a few weeks ago asking to be reappointed. The governor called him to tell him that wouldn't be happening. The governor's reason, Griffith said, was "friction" on the board.
When he asked the governor to explain, Dayton said, "I only know what I read in the paper," Griffith recalled.
Through spokesman Linden Zakula, Dayton's office declined to explain the decision, but issued a statement: "We are not going to characterize what we consider to be a private phone call, but it seems clear that Mr. Griffith is unhappy because he's not being reappointed, and as a result is trying to make the board look as bad as possible."
Griffith said the appointment was the governor's prerogative and he is grateful for his four-year term. "I am happy that I had a chance to play such a role on a terrific project for the people of Minnesota," he said.