Member Of Gov. Walz's Cabinet Leaving To Run The Star Tribune

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove is leaving his position to become CEO and publisher of the Star Tribune.

Gov. Tim Walz appointed Grove, 45, to his cabinet in January 2019.

"Commissioner Grove has truly exemplified what it means to be a public servant and advocate for the state of Minnesota," Walz said in a statement Tuesday.

"He led Minnesota’s workers and businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic, made Minnesota’s economy one of the strongest in the country, and promoted Minnesota as a player on the global stage."

Grove will replace outgoing Star Tribune publisher and CEO Mike Klingensmith, who has led the media company since 2010.

Grove has deep ties to the digital media world. From 2007 to 2011, Grove was the head of news and politics for YouTube. After that, he served as an executive for Google for more than seven years.

His two titles while at the digital search giant were director of google news and director of community partnerships.

A Northfield native, Grove holds a master's degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School and a bachelor's degree in philosophy, politics, and economics from Claremont McKenna College.

In 2014, Gove and his wife Mary founded a nonprofit in 2014 called Silicon North Stars, which helps underserved youth pursue careers in technology. Gove moved back from Silicon Valley to Minneapolis in 2018.

"It’s been an honor to be Minnesota’s Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development for the last four years, and I’m grateful to Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan for the opportunity to serve in the best job I’ve ever had," Grove said.

Grove’s last day as commissioner will be March 2. The current deputy commissioner, Kevin McKinnon, will serve as interim commissioner until Walz appoints a permanent successor.

People wishing to apply to become Minnesota’s next Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development can contact [email protected] to request an application.