Political posts

2005-

Minister of Agriculture and Food, Jens Stoltenberg’s second government

2003-

Leader of Skien Centre Party

2003-2005

Member of Industry Council, Skien Municipality

1999-2005

1st deputy member, Skien Municipal Council

1997-1999

Political Adviser, Ministry of Finance, Kjell Magne Bondevik’s first government

1993-1997

Member of the Storting for Telemark

1991-1993

Member of Skien Municipal Council

1991-1993

Member of Telemark County Council

1991-1993

Political Adviser, Telemark Centre Party

1991

Secretary, Centre Party Parliamentary Group

Membership of standing committees and delegations

1993-1997

Standing Committee on Local Government

1993-1997

EEA Consultative Committee

Work experience

1999-2005

General Manager, Riis-Johansen parkanlegg AS

Education

1990-1991

Agrotechnical programme, Hedmark University College

1989-1990

Agrotechnical programme (accounting and economics), Øksnevad Agricultural College

1986-1987

Agronomics, Søve Agricultural College

Other appointments

2000-2005

Member of the board of Telemark University College

2000-2005

Member of the executive committee of the Norwegian Farmers’ Union

1995-1997

Deputy head of  “No to the EU”

1995-1997

Member of the liaison committee between immigrants and the Norwegian authorities

1991-1995

Member of the transport and communications committee for Telemark County

1989-1991

Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Norwegian Rural Youth Organisation