Tim Penny

Tim Penny served as president and CEO of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation from 2007 until his retirement in 2025. In this role, Penny’s extensive background complemented many of the Foundation’s key interests, including the areas of early childhood development and economic development. Penny represented Minnesota’s First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1982–1994 and was a member of the Minnesota State Senate from 1976–1982. He has also served as a senior counselor at Himle Horner, a Twin Cities-based public affairs firm, and a senior fellow at the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Penny is the co-founder and vice-chair of the Economic Club of Minnesota, co-chair of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, and member of the board of Parent Aware for School Readiness. He has co-authored three books: Common Cents; The 15 Biggest Lies in Politics; and Payment Due.

Born and raised on a family farm in southeastern Minnesota, Penny received his B.A. in political science from Winona State University.