Item Description:
title
Appointment of D. Craig Taylor to the unclassified position of Director of Community Innovation, effective 04/28/25
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners approves the appointment of D. Craig Taylor as the Director of Community Innovation, effective April 28, 2025.
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Background:
Under Minn. Stat. § 383B.102(c)(3) and the County’s policy on Open and Unclassified Service Appointments, the county board approves appointments of personnel in unclassified service.
The County Administrator recommends D. Craig Taylor be appointed as Director of Community Innovation.
The Director of Community Innovation position will lead coordination of countywide and department-specific programs to address longstanding socioeconomic racial disparities. This position will report to the Assistant County Administrator for the Disparity Reduction line of business. Key responsibilities for this role include designing strategy and alignment of county’s overall approach to community-level programs, overseeing program staff in Anti-Displacement program, developing partnerships that align county resources with community needs and opportunities, and synthesizing data on socioeconomic issues for use in reporting to county staff and guiding programing and budget.
Mr. Taylor has held a variety of leadership positions with the University of Minnesota, most recently as the Regional Director for the Extension program. His responsibilities include building regional partnerships, using analysis to improve social impact and communication/engagement strategies and leading efforts to reduce barriers and eliminate racial disparities.
Mr. Taylor holds a Bachelor of Science in Government/Political Science from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Public Affairs/Administration from the University of Minnesota, Humphrey Institute.
As required by the Open Appointments Policy, a list of final applicants who interviewed for this position is on file with the Clerk of the County Board.
Current Request: The County Administrator requests the board approve the appointment of D. Craig Taylor as the Director of Community Innovation, effective 04/28/2025.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval