Outgoing Gov. Tim Pawlenty's finance chief is leaving his post to become a lobbyist.
Minnesota Management and Budget director Tom Hanson will leave his $108,000 position to join the legislative and regulatory practice of the Minneapolis law firm of Winthrop & Weinstine. His last day with the state is Dec. 1.
"Tom has been instrumental in leading our efforts to develop, enact and implement balanced budgets during some of the most difficult economic times in our state's history," Pawlenty said in a statement. "He is a trusted adviser and friend with the talent to manage both policy and people to success."
Hanson has served as the state's top finance official since 2006. Before that, he was deputy chief of staff and director of legislative and cabinet affairs for Pawlenty. He met Pawlenty working in the state House.
Hanson has led the state through the most difficult financial times since the Great Depression and retained the state's strong credit rating. He also merged the Departments of Finance and Employee Relations.
Hanson said his finest achievement was managing state finances through a rocky time without raising taxes, "which makes Minnesota a place that business will want to locate and create new jobs."
