Minnesota Names New Top Emergency Manager

(TNS) — A pair of internal promotions resulted in new official heads of both the Minnesota State Patrol and the state's Homeland Security Emergency Management Division this week.

Matt Langer, who has been acting chief of the State Patrol for the past year, was appointed to chief Monday. Langer also served as assistant chief of the patrol for four years; he joined as a trooper in 1999.

Langer has a bachelor's degree in law enforcement and a master's degree in public and nonprofit administration from Metropolitan State University.

He replaces Kevin Daly, who is retiring from the patrol after nearly three decades, including four years as chief.

Additionally, Joe Kelly (pictured at left), currently deputy director of the Department of Public Safety's Homeland Security Emergency Management Division, was promoted Monday to director.

Kelly has been deputy director for four years. He is replacing Kris Eide, who is retiring after 10 years as director.

Kelly has a bachelor's in accounting from St. John's University and master's of strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. He also served for 26 years in the Minnesota National Guard.

Both Kelly and Langer were appointed by Public Safety Commissioner Mona Dohman. They will officially begin their new positions Wednesday.

©2015 the Pioneer Press (St. Paul, Minn.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.