Minnesota Business Partnership | 80 South 8th Street, 3610 IDS Center, Minneapolis, MN 55402 | Phone: 612-370-0840 | Fax: 612-334-3086 | Charlie.Weaver@mnbp.com


As a legislator, state-government administrator, and chief of staff to Governor Pawlenty, Charlie Weaver gained insights into the process of policy-making that enhance his effectiveness as executive of the Minnesota Business Partnership, whose member are approximately 110 chief executives of Minnesota’s largest for-profit employers. Partly because “big business” is easy to demonize, the Partnership is most effective when it focuses on policy issues not purely related to business. On matters of education, quality of life, health care, and global competitiveness, Weaver is widely regarded—as closely heeded—as the “voice of business” at the Capitol.


Born: September 14, 1957, St. Paul

Spouse: Julie, married June 2, 1990

Children: Chaz, Sam, Maren and Jack

Education: BS, University of Oregon and JD, University of Michigan Law School

Career History: Executive director, Minnesota Business Partnership, 2004-present; chief of staff, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, 2003-2004; commissioner, Minnesota Department of Public Safety, 1999-2003; state representative, Minnesota House of Representatives, 1988-1998; assistant county attorney, Anoka County Attorney’s Office, 1991-1998; lawyer, Lindquist and Vennum, 1984-1991.

Outside Activities: Active in the Anoka community, serves on the Anoka Hockey Association board, Platinum Bank board, and the board of the Minnesota Early Learning Foundation, as well as the advisory boards for PACER and the Hubert Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. Also served on the boards of Lund Industries, the Anoka County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, the Minnesota Chapter of the American Red Cross, and Minnesota Special Olympics.

Key achievements: As the Chief of Staff to the Governor, helped assemble the Pawlenty administrations, crafted a state budget policy to bride a $4.5 billion shortfall without raising general fund taxes, and coordinated the legislative strategy to implement the governor’s agenda.

As commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, led a diverse department of 1,900 employees and managed an annual budget of over $256 million. The agency included the Minnesota State patrol, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Driver and Vehicle Services and the Division of Emergency Management.

After September 11, 2001, was named Director of Minnesota Office of Homeland Security, which is responsible for coordinating the state’s efforts to prevent and respond to terrorism.

Served as a Criminal Prosecutor in Anoka County, where he successfully prosecuted more than 850 felons. His most notable case involved a kidnapper and repeat rapist who received one of the longest prison sentences in state history at the time for a rapist/kidnapper.

As a legislator, Weaver authorized the Safe Streets Act, which makes it a felony to carry weapons in school, allows for greater police/school communication, and enable teachers to discipline violent students. He also continues his fight for safe streets by introducing tougher criminal penalties, particularly for repeat drunk drivers, and successfully authored legislation allowing juries to hear DNA statistical evidence in rape and murder cases. He also successfully authored the Genetic Discrimination Act, which prohibits insurers from discriminating based on genetic testing.