Introduction - Government Relations Bio
Kevin is a shareholder and Chair of Fredrikson’s Government Relations practice. His focus is to provide a comprehensive range of services to clients, including legislative drafting and tracking, policy development, governmental lobbying at all levels, and strategy creation regarding governmental relations.
Kevin has extensive experience in state and local government with particular focus on health care and tax policy. Appointed commissioner of Minnesota’s largest agency, the Department of Human Services, by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, he served on the Governor’s Health Cabinet to develop ways to inform, partner, and create efficiency in the health care industry. In addition, Kevin served as co-chair of the Minnesota Mental Health Action Group, the Advisory Council to End Long-Term Homelessness, and was a member of the Governor’s Drive to Excellence Sub-Cabinet. Before joining the Department of Human Services, he served in the Minnesota House of Representatives for twelve years representing the Moorhead area. Kevin’s private sector experience includes practicing law with a Moorhead law firm and owning and operating a retail business.
Education
- William Mitchell College of Law, LL.M. in Taxation, 1999, summa cum laude
- William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., 1999, magna cum laude, valedictorian
- Concordia College, Moorhead, B.A., 1985, magna cum laude
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota, 1999
- North Dakota, 2000
Practice Areas
Representative Experience
- Helped develop and negotiate the partial enactment of the Governor’s Mental Health Initiative, 2006
- Led the continued restructuring of the state-operated mental health system in Minnesota by moving from a regional, institutional based model to a community based delivery system, 2003-2006
- Led the development and implementation of Minnesota RXPriceCompare. A website that allows consumer to compare the retail price of prescription medicines
- Led the development and implementation of the American Indian Child Welfare Project, 2005
- Worked to develop and enact Supportive Services Grants to end Long-Term Homelessness in Minnesota, 2005
- Omnibus Health & Human Services Finance Bill: Chief Pawlenty Administration negotiator of the omnibus finance bill that reduced spending by $1 Billion and made key investments in HHS infrastructure, 2003
- Managed the development and launch of Minnesota RxConnect website, the first in the nation website to provide consumers with information about how to order prescription medicines from Canada, 2003
- Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Bill: Chief author and primary House negotiator of bill that balanced the 2002-2003 budget, 2002
- Omnibus Health & Human Services Finance: Chief House author and primary House negotiator of the omnibus HHS finance bill which included landmark reform in services for the elderly, in services for people with mental illness and expansion of health care coverage for children, 2001
- Omnibus Health & Human Services Finance: Chief House author and primary House negotiator of omnibus finance bill which included major expansion of programs for persons with disabilities and the establishment of tobacco endowment funds, 1999
- Border Cities Economic Development Incentives: House author of tax incentives for the border communities of Moorhead, Dilworth, Breckenridge, East Grand Forks, and Ortonville to help the communities rebuild after the 1997 floods, 1998
- 1997 Welfare Reform: Member of bi-partisan, House/Senate group that negotiated the landmark legislation, 1997
- Restrictions on Youth Access to Tobacco: Co-author and chief Republican strategist for the bill
Selected Publications & Presentations
- Panelist, MCN Panel to Discuss Gubernatorial Transition Process, October 27, 2010
- Panelist, 2010
- Panel Moderator, 2010 Senior Legal Fair, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services - "The Future of Senior Health Care: Law and Medicine," September 2, 2010
- Featured in “Kevin Goodno: Lobbying for Better Future,” Finance & Commerce, May 25, 2010
- Speaker, “Annual Legislative Preview,” MSBA's Health Law Section, January 15, 2010
- “Unallotment Update,” FredALERT: Government Relations, January 8, 2010
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- Speaker, “The Case for Long-Term Care Financing Reform,” Second Annual Long-Term Care Financing Solutions Forum, November 17, 2009
- Speaker, “Stimulus, infrastructure funding, and the double-edged sword,” Annual Land Development Conference, May 28, 2009
- Speaker, 2009 Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota (ARRM) Summit, March 5-6, 2009
- Presenter, Health Law Section CLE: Annual Legislative Preview, January 16, 2009
- Featured in “A Capitol Idea - Fredrikson & Byron’s entry into government relations illustrates how law firms are branching into lobbying,”
- “Minnesota: Leading the Way on Canadian Prescription Medicine Importation,” William Mitchell Law Review, 2005, co-authored with Karen Janisch
- Frequent presentations as commissioner on a variety of topics such as: Governor’s budget, mental health reform, and Canadian prescription medicine website
Professional Activities
- American Academy of Neurology Foundation, Board Member, 2011-present
- Public Affairs Council, Board Member, 2010
- Minnesota Business Partnership, Deputy, 2007-present
- Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota, Board Member, 2006-present, Board President, 2009-2011
- Citizens League, Board Member, 2007-present, Board Chair, 2010
- Courage Center, Board Member, 2007-present
- State Budget Trends Commission (appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty), co-chair, 2007-2009 (elected by Commission)
- Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Health Care Policy Committee, 2007-present
- Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Inc. – Centennial Planning Committee, 2007-2009
- Served as an appointee of Governor Tim Pawlenty as the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, 2003-2006
- American Public Health Services Association, Member, 2003-present
- Minnesota Bar Association
- North Dakota Bar Association
- Member, Minnesota House of Representatives for the Moorhead area, 1991-2002
- Practiced law with the Gunhus Law Firm, Moorhead, 1999-2002
- Served on the Moorhead City Council, 1986-1990
- Involved in the operation of a Moorhead retail business, 1978-1995; owned and operated the business, 1991-1995
Honors & Distinctions
- Named Top 10 Rising Lobbyists, Capital Report, 2011
- Named Top 100 MN Influencers, Campaigns & Elections, 2010
- “Champion of Epilepsy Award” by The Epilepsy Foundation of
- Named one of the “2010 Minnesotans on the Move” by Finance & Commerce, 2010
- Profiled in “The 10 most influential lobbyists in
- “Public Leadership Award” by Minnesota Mental Health Action Group, 2008
- Named “Rising Star” by Minnesota Law & Politics, 2003
- Named “Up and Coming Attorney” by Minnesota Lawyer, 2002
- The German Marshall Fund of the United States, American Marshall Memorial Fellowship Program, Fellow, 2002
- “Distinguished Service and Leadership Award” by American Cancer Society, 2002
- “Legislator of the Year” by American Heart Association Minnesota Affiliate, 2001
- “Legislator of the Year” by National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Minnesota Chapter, 2001, 1999
- Minnesota State Supreme Court: Special recognition for “efforts in support of children and the improvement of the administration of justice in Minnesota,” 2000
- “Health Care Leader 2000” by Minnesota Hospital and Health Care Partnership, 2000
- “Advocate of the Year” by Freedom Regional Center for Independent Living, 1999
- “Legislator of the Year” by ARC Minnesota, 1999
- “Minnesota Legacy Award” 2002; "Legislator of the Year” 2000; “Legislator of Distinction for Tax Policy” 1998, Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities
- “Award for Excellence” by Smoke-Free 2000 Coalition, 1996
- “Advocate of Hearts Award for Outstanding Leadership in Protecting Minnesota’s Youth from Tobacco Products,” American Heart Association, Minnesota Affiliate, 1996