Brown County commissioners unanimously approved the appointment of investigator Andrew Konechne as chief deputy Tuesday.

The resolution follows Brown County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jeremy Reed’s resignation since he will be the Minnesota Hockey executive director.

Commissioners unanimously approved changing the chief deputy position to exempt (salaried position without overtime) Tuesday. Konechne will earn $117,540.80 annually, $56.51/hr.

Brown County administrative staff contacted the David Drown Associates consulting firm and considered comparable counties, most of which the chief deputy is an exempt position.

A New Ulm native, former high school hockey player and former New Ulm High School Girls Hockey Coach, Reed began working as a New Ulm Police Department Dispatcher in 1992 as a New Ulm High School senior.

He served on the police department for 22 years as a patrolman for four years, K-9 officer for 14 years and investigator, reaching the rank of sergeant. He joined the Brown County Sheriff’s Office in 2018 as an investigator, reaching the chief deputy position.

After 33 years in law enforcement, Halloween is his final day with the sheriff’s office. Then, he’s going to work for Minnesota Hockey full-time.

“I always said I need to figure out what I wanted to do when I grow up. Hopefully, this is it,” Reed said.

He talked about what he likes about hockey.

“There are so many ways to be involved with hockey. There are so many good people I’ve met along the way in hockey,” said Reed.

He has been active with Minnesota Hockey operations for some time.

“Jeremy offers substantial experience to Minnesota Hockey operations, serving as District 4 Director on the state board of directors, director’s committee chairman and hockey operations vice president for five years,” according to a Minnesota Hockey news release. “His leadership with Minnesota Hockey, coupled with his management background as chief deputy sheriff, provide him with the necessary skills to lead Minnesota Hockey as executive director.”

Minnesota Hockey has provided volunteer services for the development and promotion of Minnesota youth hockey since 1947.

A Sioux Falls, S.D. native, Konechne has had a full-time law enforcement license since 1996. He was a Mankato Police patrol officer from 1998 to 2004 and a detective from 2004 to 2010.

Konechne was police chief in Lakefield in Jackson County and in Arlington prior to becoming a Brown County Sheriff’s Office Investigator in 2023.

His hobbies are hiking, bicycling, woodworking and caring for his dogs.

Konechne’s appointment came on a motion by Commissioner Jeff Veerkamp, seconded by Dave Borchert.