ST. PAUL — A member of the Minnesota Racing Commission is moving onto the agency’s full-time staff as its executive director.

Gov. Mark Dayton on Wednesday appointed Thomas DiPasquale to the position, filling a vacancy left by the retirement of Richard Krueger.

The Racing Commission oversees Minnesota’s two horse racing tracks, which are also home to poker and card game clubs. It has undergone considerable churn over the past year amid investigations of personnel issues.

DiPasquale has been a member of the commission’s board since July. That position didn’t come with a state salary, but this one will. He’ll earn $114,000.

He is an attorney who lives in North Oaks. He formerly worked in the general counsel’s office for 3M Co. and has taught courses at William Mitchell College of Law.