Minnesota / Public Defense Board / Public Defense Chief Public Def

Job-title file

Public Defense Chief Public Def

Lead staff and operations — set priorities, allocate resources, and oversee program delivery.

11 employees hold this title in Public Defense Board. Median total compensation for the role is $204,480, above the department median of $99,952.

Employees: 11
Total payroll: $2.4M
Role median: $204,480
Agency median: $99,952
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$163,765$303,186+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 11 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Same department

Other job titles in Public Defense Board

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Scott Cutcher

Public Defense Chief Public Def/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$322,368

Sub-department: Fifth Judicial District
Base pay: $193,928
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $128,440
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $322,368
Hire date: 1986-10-29
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 3
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Unrep Managers
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Blue Earth

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: No
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 309
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Scott Cutcher is a Public Defense Chief Public Def at Public Defense Board within Fifth Judicial District. They have served since 1986 (about 39 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $322,368. They are represented by Public Defense-Unrep Managers.

Cathryn Middlebrook

Public Defense Chief Public Def/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$226,462

Sub-department: State Public Defender
Base pay: $221,146
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,316
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $226,462
Hire date: 1986-09-02
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 3
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Unrep Managers
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 309
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Cathryn Middlebrook works as a Public Defense Chief Public Def for Public Defense Board within State Public Defender. Hired in 1986, they have about 39 years of service as a full-time employee. Cathryn earned $226,462 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is Public Defense-Unrep Managers.

Daniel Lew

Public Defense Chief Public Def/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$226,462

Sub-department: Sixth Judicial District
Base pay: $221,146
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,316
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $226,462
Hire date: 1996-01-02
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 3
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Unrep Managers
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: St Louis

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 309
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Daniel Lew holds the role of Public Defense Chief Public Def at Public Defense Board within Sixth Judicial District. Hired in 1996, they have about 29 years of service as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $226,462. Union affiliation: Public Defense-Unrep Managers.

Virginia Murphrey

Public Defense Chief Public Def/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$221,146

Sub-department: Tenth Judicial District 5
Base pay: $221,146
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $221,146
Hire date: 1998-02-04
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 3
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Unrep Managers
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Anoka

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 309
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Virginia Murphrey is a Public Defense Chief Public Def at Public Defense Board within Tenth Judicial District 5. Hired in 1998, they have about 27 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $221,146. Union affiliation: Public Defense-Unrep Managers.

Lindsay Siolka

Public Defense Chief Public Def/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$204,480

Sub-department: First Judicial District
Base pay: $199,680
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,800
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $204,480
Hire date: 2005-09-27
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 3
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Unrep Managers
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 309
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Lindsay Siolka is a Public Defense Chief Public Def at Public Defense Board within First Judicial District. They have served since 2005 (about 20 years), working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $204,480. Union affiliation: Public Defense-Unrep Managers.

John Riemer

Public Defense Chief Public Def/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$204,480

Sub-department: Second District
Base pay: $199,680
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,800
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $204,480
Hire date: 2010-01-11
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 3
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Unrep Managers
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Ramsey

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 309
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

John Riemer holds the role of Public Defense Chief Public Def at Public Defense Board within Second District. They have served since 2010 (about 15 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $204,480. They are represented by Public Defense-Unrep Managers.

Anthony Kuehn

Public Defense Chief Public Def/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$199,680

Sub-department: Third Judical District
Base pay: $199,680
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $199,680
Hire date: 2007-11-05
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 3
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Unrep Managers
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Olmsted

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 309
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Anthony Kuehn works as a Public Defense Chief Public Def for Public Defense Board within Third Judical District. Their tenure dates to 2007, about 18 years as a full-time employee. Anthony earned $199,680 in 2025. They are represented by Public Defense-Unrep Managers.

Douglas Carlson

Public Defense Chief Public Def/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$199,680

Sub-department: Seventh District Management
Base pay: $199,680
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $199,680
Hire date: 2005-03-23
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 3
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Unrep Managers
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Stearns

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 309
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Public Defense Board, Douglas Carlson serves as a Public Defense Chief Public Def within Seventh District Management. Hired in 2005, they have about 20 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $199,680. Union affiliation: Public Defense-Unrep Managers.

Michael Berger

Public Defense Chief Public Def/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$195,840

Sub-department: J52D411 - Mgmt 1
Base pay: $195,840
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $195,840
Hire date: 2007-12-26
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 3
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Unrep Managers
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Hennepin

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 309
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Michael Berger holds the role of Public Defense Chief Public Def at Public Defense Board within J52D411 - Management 1. Their tenure dates to 2007, about 18 years as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $195,840. They are represented by Public Defense-Unrep Managers.

Layne Chiodo

Public Defense Chief Public Def/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$193,617

Sub-department: Ninth District - Management
Base pay: $193,617
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $193,617
Hire date: 2006-06-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 3
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Unrep Managers
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Beltrami

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 309
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Layne Chiodo is a Public Defense Chief Public Def at Public Defense Board within Ninth District - Management. Hired in 2006, they have about 19 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $193,617. Union affiliation: Public Defense-Unrep Managers.

Kristine Kolar

Public Defense Chief Public Def/Public Defense Board

2025 total comp

$163,765

Sub-department: Ninth District - Management
Base pay: $121,630
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $42,135
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $163,765
Hire date: 1995-01-03
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 3
Union / bargaining unit: Public Defense-Unrep Managers
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Beltrami

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: No
Agency Number: J52
Bargaining Unit Number: 309
Branch: Judicial
Branch Code: Judicial
Classified Code: Unclassified
Classified Status: Unclassified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Kristine Kolar is a Public Defense Chief Public Def at Public Defense Board within Ninth District - Management. Hired in 1995, they have about 30 years of service, working full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $163,765. Union affiliation: Public Defense-Unrep Managers.