Board will launch search for new executive director

July 21, 2026 (SAINT PAUL, MN) – The Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority Board of Directors has appointed Pete Klein as Interim Executive Director for MnCIFA as the board launches a search for a new executive director.  

When MnCIFA was initially created as a state agency in 2023, Klein served as executive director for a year. He managed the new agency in establishing governance, operations and lending. Klein’s appointment by the MnCIFA Board of Directors follows the resignation by Kari Groth Swan, who served as executive director from November 2024 to July 2026.  

Prior to joining MnCIFA, Klein was Vice President of Finance at the Saint Paul Port Authority. During his 27 years with the port authority, Pete created, implemented and managed two nationally recognized energy financing programs: the Trillion BTU Revolving Loan Fund and the MinnPACE property assessed clean energy program. He managed the operations of a large district energy system. And he led issuance of over $1 billion in bonding for business, nonprofit and government infrastructure projects that created thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in property tax revenue.  

“We are grateful that Pete Klein is stepping out of retirement back into public service to support MnCIFA during this transition in leadership,” said MnCIFA Board Chair Bali Kumar. “Pete’s experience in finance and clean energy led to a successful launch of MnCIFA as a state agency and I’m confident he will provide a strong foundation for the next executive director.”