Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty is beginning his move away from the world of U.S. politics following his exit from the 2012 presidential race in August.
After keeping a mostly low profile the past two months, Pawlenty was named Tuesday to the board of directors of RedPrairie, an international Atlanta-based supply chain company. The company has an office in Eden Prairie.
Pawlenty is also leading an international delegation to Tunisia next week with former Romania President Emil Constantinescu to observe Tunisia's elections. The elections, which are being held after the ouster of Tunisian president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali during the Arab Spring, will choose representatives who will draw up the country's new constitution.
The former Minnesota governor has endorsed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in the Republican presidential race, and Pawlenty is hosting a Minnesota fundraiser for him on Nov. 21. But Pawlenty has indicated he's going to take a break from politics for now — though he didn't rule out a future run for Senate or governor — after working toward his presidential run for more than two years.
During his portrait unveiling at the state Capitol last week, Pawlenty hinted at what he had in mind for the future, talking about the possibility of serving on boards, doing consulting work or starting a business.
"I've got six or eight ideas and probably two or three of them will come to fruition," he said.
UPDATE from Rachel E. Stassen-Berger:
Pawlenty is also joining the board of Miromatrix, medical company, the company announced this week.
