Kurt Zellers, a former Minnesota House speaker, is now a former CEO of the Minnesota Business Partnership.

Effective Thursday, June 25, the state’s prominent business association is seeking new leadership to represent Minnesota’s biggest employers at the State Capitol and in the state’s civic dialogue.

The top staff job at the Minnesota Business Partnership is a coveted role. In addition to its stature, whoever holds the job is well paid. In 2024, Zellers was paid $600,000 in W-2 earnings and an estimated $39,594 in other compensation, according to a Partnership Form 990 filing.

In August 2023, when General Mills CEO Jeff Harmening was chair of the Minnesota Business Partnership, Harmening announced the hiring of Zellers, a former Republican suburban legislator who is a North Dakota native.

“Throughout his career, Kurt adopted a solutions-first mindset and earned the respect of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle,” Harmening said in the 2023 news release announcing the selection of Zellers. “I am confident that he will drive constructive partnerships between elected officials and the Minnesota business community to develop sound solutions for business growth to strengthen Minnesota.”

Zellers took the helm as CEO on Sept. 1, 2023. But this week, the Partnership named two existing staff as interim co-CEOs.

They are Erika Nelson, the Partnership’s chief of staff, and Abby Loesch, the organization’s education and workforce policy director. Nelson joined the Partnership staff in recent months after serving as state director for U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Loesch has been with the Partnership since January 2023, and her background includes experience as a committee administrator in the Minnesota House.

The current chair of the Minnesota Business Partnership is Medtronic CEO Geoff Martha. A Medtronic spokesperson on Thursday referred questions for Martha to the Minnesota Business Partnership.

“Kurt Zellers, former CEO, Minnesota Business Partnership (MBP), has stepped down as CEO of MBP and is no longer with the organization,” Sarah Barten, the Partnership’s communications director, said in a written statement. She also indicated that MBP has activated a search process to find a new CEO.

Zellers is in his mid-50s. The top leadership job at the Minnesota Business Partnership is one that has been marked by long tenure. When Zellers came aboard, the title was changed from executive director to CEO. Charlie Weaver, an attorney and former legislator, was executive director of the Partnership from 2003 to 2023. Weaver left the job when he retired from full-time work. Duane Benson, a former state senator, held the job from 1994 to 2003.

Barten declined to disclose the circumstances that led to the departure of Zellers. “On the specifics of the decision-making process, I’m not able to discuss confidential board deliberations or private personnel matters,” Barten wrote. “Leadership decisions are made through the organization’s governance process and with the long-term interests of the organization in mind.”

While Martha serves as chair of the Partnership, the organization also has a 20-member executive committee that includes some of the most prominent CEOs in Minnesota.

Beyond lobbying on behalf of business interests during Minnesota legislative sessions, historically the Partnership has engaged in a broader community and statewide dialogue. In various ways over several years, the Partnership was a leading voice on issues that included increasing immigration, expanding access to child care, improving K-12 education, and promoting actions that support public safety.

“Our focus remains on advancing our mission and ensuring continuity for our partners, stakeholders, and the communities we serve,” Barten wrote.