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Harry Melander

Metropolitan Council Member, District 12

Harry Melander was appointed to the Metropolitan Council by Gov. Mark Dayton in March 2011. Melander represents District 12, which includes all of Washington County except Hugo, Landfall and Oakdale.

Melander is currently the president for the Minnesota State Building & Construction Trades Council, a position he has held since 2009. He has also served as executive secretary of the St. Paul Building and Trades Council since 2006, and was a business representative for that organization from 1997 to 2006. Prior to that, Melander worked for the Southern District Council of Carpenters and the Minnesota Statewide District Council of Carpenters, both in St. Paul. In total, Melander has 25 years of experience representing unions in the construction industry.

As a Council member, Melander serves as first vice chair of the Metropolitan Council and vice chair of the Litigation Review special committee, and also serves as a member of the Environment and Management committees.

"One of the Council’s top challenges will be adjusting to the demographic challenges that are changing our region as a result of the new economy,” Melander said. “We need to continue promoting sensible growth within the mission of the Council.”

Melander has an extensive record of civic participation including membership on the St. Paul Riverfront Corporation Board, the St. Paul District Energy Board, the Union Bank & Trust Board, the Council’s Central Corridor Business Advisory Committee, and the St. Paul Port Authority Board. He has also served in a number of local government capacities, including as chair of the Washington County Planning Commission, the Washington County Housing & Redevelopment Authority, as chair of the Washington County Board of Adjustment, the Mahtomedi Park Commission and the Phalen Corridor Initiative.

Melander has a bachelor of science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, with additional studies at the University of Minnesota and the University of Oregon. He also served an apprenticeship with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry in carpentry. Melander lives in Mahtomedi.

To contact Melander, you may call 612-865-3585, or e-mail harry.melander@metc.state.mn.us.