Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the reappointment of William Baker and the appointment of Erick Lewis and Milton Toratti to the Board of Invention. All three are appointed to four-year terms that expire on January 1, 2007.

Baker, of Stillwater, has been the director and an advisor to the Inventors' Network of Minneapolis/St. Paul and is an elected member of the National Board of United Inventors Association. Baker, who is a charter member of the Board of Invention, is reappointed to his third four-year term as a resident of the Sixth Congressional District.

Lewis, of St. Louis Park, is president and CEO of E.L. Lewis Enterprises, Inc. His inventions have included audio thin ice warning signs and deer-alert motion detector road signs. Lewis replaces Terry Hitchcock as an at-large member.

Toratti, of Mankato, is the master facilitator for the Riverbend Center for Enterprise Facilitation. Toratti, who previously served on the Board of Invention, replaces Julianne Ortman as an at-large member.

The Board of Invention encourages the creation, performance and appreciation of invention in the state. The board consists of 11 members appointed by the Governor including one from each congressional district and three at-large.