Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Robert Nelson, Lisa Lebedoff Peilen, and Andy Westerberg, and the reappointment of Bert McKasy, Paul G. Rehkamp, Molly Sigel, and Sherry Stenerson to the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC).

McKasy, of Inver Grove Heights, is an attorney with the Minneapolis law firm of Lindquist and Vennum, practicing in the areas of insurance and corporate law and governmental affairs. Prior to joining Lindquist and Vennum, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce, chief of staff to former U.S. Senator David Durenberger, and served three terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives. McKasy, who has been a member of the MAC since 1999 and is currently vice-chair, is reappointed as a resident of MAC District “H” for another four-year term that expires on January 3, 2011.

Nelson, of Woodbury, is the owner of R. L. Nelson and Associates, a management consulting firm, and is chairman of the board of directors of Ballistic Recovery Inc. He has also served as president, CEO and CFO of the firm. Nelson has also been president and COO of Wipaire, Inc. in South St. Paul, senior vice president of commercial loans with American National Bank in St. Paul, marketing and finance positions with Grumman Corporation in Cleveland, Ohio, and Savannah, Georgia, administrator of sales with Rockwell Aircraft Corporation in Albany, Georgia, sales and marketing with Cessna Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas, and an assistant engineer with McDonald Aircraft in St. Louis, Missouri. A single engine, instrument rated airplane pilot, Nelson is a member of the Woodbury Economic Development Authority and serves on its Audit Committee, and the Salvation Army Booth Brown House Advisory Board. Nelson replaces John Lanners as a resident of MAC District “F” for a four-year term that expires on January 3, 2011.

Peilen, of St. Louis Park, has held a number of part-time jobs and served on a number of community boards while raising her children, including Conservation Minnesota (formerly known as the Minnesota League of Conservation Voters), and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Trustee Candidate Advisory Council. Peilen is past president of the Smith College Club of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota Hillel Advisory Board, and has been a member of the Governor’s Stadium Screening Commission, Hennepin County Library Foundation Board, Minneapolis Jewish Federation Board, Children’s Health Care Foundation Board, and Hennepin County Park Reserve District (now the Three Rivers Park District) Board. During her professional career, Peilen worked in government relations with First Bank System (now U.S. Bank), was a staff analyst in the corporate planning department of General Mills, and was Minnesota’s Tourism Director. Peilen replaces Kari Berman on the MAC as a resident of District “C” to complete a four-year term that expires on January 5, 2009.

Rehkamp, of Marshall, is the funeral director with Rehkamp-Horvath Funeral Homes in Marshall. He is a retired Major General with 35 years of service in the U.S. Army Reserve. Rehkamp’s community activities include having served as a past chair of the Marshall Area YMCA, two-time past president of the Marshall Industries Foundation, Inc., past president of the Southwest Minnesota State University Foundation, and a former member of the Marshall Board of Education and a former member of the board of directors of Community First Banks in Marshall and Ivanhoe. Rehkamp, who has been a member of the MAC since 1993, is reappointed as a representative of a county containing an intermediate airport for another four-year term that expires on January 3, 2011.

Sigel, of Deephaven, is a community volunteer and a stay-at-home mother raising three young children. She served as Governor Pawlenty’s inaugural coordinator in 2003 and 2007. Previously, Sigel has held positions as a legislative affairs director with the Minneapolis law firm of Dorsey and Whitney, director of government relations with the Minneapolis law firm of Winthrop and Weinstine, and associate director of state legislation with the Minnesota Medical Association. Sigel, who has been a member of the MAC since 2005 and serves on the Finance, Development and Environment Committee, is reappointed as a resident of District “B” to a four-year term that expires on January 3, 2011.

Stenerson, of Maple Grove, is general counsel with Factory Motor Parts Company in Eagan. She is a Major in the United States Army Reserve and served on active duty as a U. S. Army Judge Advocate, legal assistance attorney, and chief of the Soldier Readiness Section in Fort McCoy, Wisconsin until January 2007. Stenerson’s legal experience has included positions as an attorney and shareholder with Trudeau Corporate Legal in Minnetonka, an associate attorney with the Meagher and Geer law firm in Minneapolis, a corporate attorney with Rosemount, Inc. in Eden Prairie, where she also clerked. She has also had business experience as a buyer and manager with the Macy’s North Division of Federated Department Stores, a senior business analyst in the furniture divisions of Casegoods and Design Studio and Lamps and Accessories, and a manager with Rosedale Marketplace Foods. Stenerson was a member of the MAC from 2005 until earlier this year. She replaces Tammy McGee as a resident of District “A”, for a four-year term that expires on January 3, 2011.

Westerberg, of Blaine, owns a Farmers Insurance agency in Coon Rapids. He served four terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives and was chair of the House Gaming Division. Westerberg is past president of the North-Metro Association of Life Underwriters, and past director of the Fellowship of Christian Golfers. He has also been a member of the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission, Spring Lake Park Lions Club, Blaine Budget Committee, Metro-North Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee, volunteer firefighter, civil air patrol, and has been active in Way of the Lord Church in Blaine. Westerberg fills Sherry Stenerson’s position on the MAC as a resident of District “E” to complete a four-year term that expires on January 5, 2009.

The Metropolitan Airports Commission promotes air transportation locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally by developing the Twin Cities metropolitan area as an aviation center. The commission consists of 15 members, including 13 appointed by the Governor, one appointed by the mayor of Minneapolis and one appointed by the mayor of St. Paul.