Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her Announces Appointment of Department of Safety and Inspections Director

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Mayor Kaohly Her announced her intention to appoint Ia Xiong as the Director of the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI).

Ia Xiong brings more than 25 years of public-sector leadership experience overseeing complex transportation, infrastructure, regulatory, and operational systems across local and regional government. Throughout her career, she has built high-performing teams, delivered major capital initiatives, and strengthened public services through collaboration, accountability, and operational excellence.

Most recently, Ia served as Director of Transportation Initiatives and Transit & Parking Director for the City of Rochester, where she led Rochester’s $38 million DMC-funded infrastructure program and helped advance the LINK Bus Rapid Transit project. She also championed fleet electrification initiatives, managed state and federal transportation grants and compliance programs, and guided the evolution of Transit and Parking into a standalone department with clear policies, performance standards, and customer service expectations.

Prior to Rochester, Ia held leadership roles with the Metropolitan Council, where she established the Council’s Real Estate Office, and with Hennepin County, where she directed Road & Bridge Operations. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Marquette University and has been a licensed Professional Engineer in Minnesota since 2000.

Angie Wiese, who has served as DSI director since 2022, will remain with the department in an administrative leadership role.