Gail Dorfman has been the Hennepin County commissioner serving the 3rd District since March 1999.

County commissioners, collectively, provide leadership and oversight for county government, which includes more than 8,000 dedicated employees and a $1.7 billion budget (2009) coming from property taxes, service fees, state and federal grants.

County services encompass transportation and public works, health programs, libraries, social services, financial assistance, law enforcement, corrections, public records and environmental services.

Gail currently serves as chair of the Health and Human Services Committee and vice chair of both the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) and the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority (HCRRA).

Prior experience

Gail began her government service in St. Louis Park – as mayor from 1996 to 1999 and as a city council member from 1991 to 1995. During that time, she worked to:

  • Develop the neighborhood organizational structure.
  • Promote and participate in the creation of the City's strategic plan, "Vision St. Louis Park.”
  • Establish the grass-roots planning process for the developing town center.
  • Encourage beautification and pedestrian friendly development through landscaping, innovative streetscape, and promotion of the arts as an important aspect of civic revitalization.

Other government experience includes:

  • Working for a member of congress in Washington, D.C.
  • Serving as assistant director of the Boston, Mass., Neighborhood Development Agency.
  • Serving as research director to the governor of Ohio.

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Ohio State University
  • Masters in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
  • Fellow at the Mondale Policy Forum of the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.
  • Participant in the Twin West Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program.