David Metzen , a former chair of the University Of Minnesota Board Of Regents, was appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty as the Director of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education Tuesday. Thursday Metzen will replace Susan Heegaard, who left the position in February to work with the Bush Foundation. Metzen, 67, chaired the Board of Regents from 2003 to 2005 and served two terms as a member. He also served the South St. Paul School District as superintendent from 1982 to 2000 and was previously an elementary school teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent specializing in curriculum in the district, according to a press release. âÄúDave Metzen has a passion for education and the leadership skills to challenge our higher education system to reform and improve,âÄù Pawlenty said in the press release.