Prominent Minneapolis business attorney Ralph Strangis is the new chair of the Minnesota Racing Commission, replacing former chair Jesse Overton after the commission spent much of the past year in controversy.

Gov. Mark Dayton on Monday appointed Strangis, a longtime adviser to the airline industry, the Twins and other businesses, to chair the commission, which regulates Minnesota's horse racing industry, including the state's two tracks. Overton also was reappointed to the board by the governor, who in addition named Thomas DiPasquale to the nine-member public body.

Strangis, who chaired the commission two decades ago, is the law partner of Sam Kaplan, who was appointed by President Obama as the U.S. ambassador to Morocco. According to the commission, Strangis was last licensed as a horse owner in Minnesota in 1996.

Overton found himself in the midst of a controversy last fall when two top racing commission officials, including chief veterinarian Dr. Lynn Hovda, were investigated by the state budget office. Both officials were later exonerated. One of them, Mary Manney, the deputy executive director, had been accused of making disparaging remarks regarding Overton.

The incidents also left Overton in the spotlight. With his term set to expire Sunday, Overton said last week he did not know whether he would be reappointed. A spokesman for the Minnesota Management and Budget Office said again Monday that a separate investigation of Overton involving an undisclosed episode was not yet complete.

MIKE KASZUBA

Plummer, Bootsma picked for Team USA

Based on their performances at last week's national championships, David Plummer of the Minnetonka Swim Club and Eden Prairie native Rachel Bootsma were named to the U.S. team for swimming's 2013 world championships in Barcelona, Spain, later this month.

Plummer, a former Gopher, won the 50-meter backstroke in 24.52 seconds, setting a U.S. open record, and also won the 100 backstroke. Bootsma won the women's 50 backstroke in an American-record time of 27.68. Former Gopher Christine Jennings also made the team in the 10- and 25-kilometer open-water events.

RACHEL BLOUNT

Hockey conference chooses commissioner

The fledgling National Collegiate Hockey Conference named Miami (Ohio) senior associate athletic director Josh Fenton commissioner. The NCHC, which includes six former WCHA teams, begins play this fall.

Fenton, a Litchfield native, succeeds Jim Scherr, who resigned to become chief operating officer with the European Games.