Media contacts

Our communications specialists specialist in media relations for our different divisions.

General DPS inquiries

Howie Padilla

Communications director

952-378-6775

howie.padilla@state.mn.us

Jen Longaecker

Deputy communications director

612-283-1700

jen.longaecker@state.mn.us

Communications supervisors

Anbar Ahmed

Communications supervisor (programs)

952-818-2605

anbar.ahmed@state.mn.us

Julie Prior-Miller

Communications supervisor (digital)

651-233-8134

julie.priormiller@state.mn.us

Nicole Roddy

Communications supervisor (law enforcement)

651-802-8978

nicole.roddy@state.mn.us

Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement

Dave Boxum

Communications specialist

651-201-7569

dave.boxum@state.mn.us

Bureau of Criminal Apprehension

Jill Oliveira

Communications specialist/public information officer

651-793-2726

jill.oliveira@state.mn.us

Laura Perkins

Communications specialist/public information officer

651-793-2595

laura.perkins@state.mn.us

Mike Ernster

Communications specialist/public information officer

651-509-5644

michael.earnster@state.mn.us

Driver and Vehicle Services

Erin Johnson

Communications specialist

651-392-1202

erin.johnson@state.mn.us

Mark Karstedt

Communications specialist

651-201-7570

mark.karstedt@state.mn.us

Emergency Communication Networks

Oliver Schuster

Communications Specialist

952-412-8416

oliver.schuster@state.mn.us

Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Oliver Schuster

Communications Specialist

952-412-8416

oliver.schuster@state.mn.us

Minnesota State Patrol

Lt. Mike Lee

Public information officer

651-201-7146  

michael.y.lee@state.mn.us

Kyle Everson

Communications specialist

651-233-0956

kyle.everson@state.mn.us

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office

Catriona Stuart

Communications specialist

612-479-8833

catriona.stuart@state.mn.us

Office of Justice Programs

Tony Benson

Communications specialist

651-202-1338

tony.benson@state.mn.us

Office of Traffic Safety

Dave Boxum

Communications specialist

651-201-7569

dave.boxum@state.mn.us

Eric Lightner

Communications specialist

651-202-5568

eric.lightner@state.mn.us

Office of Pipeline Safety

Kat Barrett

Communications specialist

763-461-7208

kat.barrett@state.mn.us

State Fire Marshal

Kat Barrett

Communications specialist

763-461-7208

kat.barrett@state.mn.us

Communications and creative services

Scott Theisen

Communications specialist (web/digital)

scott.andrew.theisen@state.mn.us

Bob Lahr

Communications specialist (graphics)

bob.lahr@state.mn.us

Dan Sundem

Communications specialist (video)

dan.sundem@state.mn.us

Jourdan Cochran

Communications specialist (writer/editor)

jourdan.cochran@state.mn.us

Jake Seamans

Communications specialist (social media)

jake.seamans@state.mn.us

Gregg Marquardt

Communications specialist (internal communications)

gregg.marquardt@state.mnus