Olmsted County names new directors for its Information Technology Solutions and Family Support and Assistance departments
October 14, 2026
Olmsted County is announcing leadership changes in two of its departments: Information Technology Solutions (ITS) and Family Support and Assistance (FSA).
New ITS director
With the upcoming departure of current ITS Director Matt Peabody, Meridee Braun, current FSA director, will be moving to the ITS director role. In this position, Braun will set the long-term technology vision for Olmsted County. This will include guiding strategic technology planning, policy development, and resource allocation to ensure technology initiatives align with organizational goals.
Braun has worked for Olmsted County since 2002. She worked in FSA for 19 years and served as director of the department for the past four years. From 2017-2022, Braun worked in a management position within Olmsted County’s ITS department.
“Meridee has extensive leadership experience and will bring a unique perspective to the ITS director role. In her previous ITS position, Meridee was responsible for overseeing countywide technology projects and managing project managers and business analysts, so she has strong background in this work, and we are excited to see her bring her strategic mindset to this role,” stated Deputy Administrator of Administrative Services James Johnson. “That said, I want to acknowledge Matt’s leadership and contributions within ITS over the last several years. He made a significant impact, and we wish him well on his future endeavors.”
New FSA director
With Braun moving from FSA to ITS, Dan Jensen will be moving from the FSA associate director position to the FSA director role. As FSA director, Jensen will direct the implementation of policies and programs to help provide basic needs to adults and families with children. The goal is to help these individuals and families improve their well-being and self-sufficiency as well as achieve financial stability.
Jenson has worked at Olmsted County for more than 36 years and spent most of his career in Olmsted County Public Health Services serving in a variety of capacities, including as associate director from 2011 to 2019. Jensen has held the FSA associate director position since 2022.
“Given his strong leadership and deep experience with Family Support & Assistance, Dan is exceptionally well positioned for the director role. He brings steady, consistent leadership the department needs during this time of evolving work,” said Deputy Administrator of Olmsted County Health, Housing, and Human Services Amy Rauchwarter.
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Media Contact: Emma Diercks, Communications Specialist, 507-328-6166