Jim Schowalter was appointed Commissioner of Minnesota Management & Budget (MMB) by Governor Mark Dayton on January 3, 2011.

Most recently Jim served as Deputy Commissioner of MMB, and brings a wealth of government and financial experience to the position. Over his sixteen years in Minnesota state government he has earned a reputation as a respected, non-partisan voice on budget issues.

Previously, Jim served as Assistant Commissioner and State Budget Director. After assuming that position in 2004, he led the budget process for the State of Minnesota for six years. He served on the Board of the National Association of State Budget Officers and frequently testified before the state Legislature. He has also served as Executive Budget Coordinator for Health and Human Services and Local Government, as well as Executive Budget Officer.

Before coming to Minnesota, Jim worked as Regional Economist at the Boston regional office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and as Budget Officer at the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.

Jim received his Master's degree in public policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and his Bachelor's degree with a major in economics from Macalester College. Schowalter originally hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

He currently lives in Eagan.