Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Larry Morrison, Lori Mowbray, and Jeannette Taylor Jones to the Board of Optometry.

Larry Morrison, of Detroit Lakes, has been an optometrist for 24 years. He currently practices in Detroit Lakes and Mahnomen. He is President of the Northwest Association of Optometrists. Dr. Morrison is also a member of Volunteer Optometric Service to Humanity. He was group leader on the organization's February 2003 mission to Port Antonio, Jamaica. Dr. Morrison received his D.O. degree from the Illinois College of Optometry. He is appointed as an optometrist member of the board and will serve a four-year term ending January 1, 2007. Dr. Morrison currently serves as the board's Vice President and is reappointed to his second term on the board.

Lori Mowbray, of Edina, has been an optometrist for 22 years. She currently practices in Edina. She is a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Mowbray received her D.O. degree from the New England College of Optometry in Boston, Massachusetts. She is also a graduate of the Baltimore Academy of Behavioral Optometry in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Mowbray is appointed as an optometrist member of the board and will serve a four-year term ending January 1, 2007. She replaces Dr. Dirk Colby on the board.

Jeannette Taylor Jones, of Stillwater, is currently a health care consultant. She previously served as an Assistant Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Prior to working at DHS, she served as CEO of Minnesota Age and Opportunity, a nonprofit serving seniors. Ms. Jones is licensed as both a registered nurse and an attorney. She serves as an adjunct professor at the William Mitchell College of Law. She received her law degree from the Pace University School of Law in White Plains, New York. Ms. Jones is appointed as a public member of the board and will serve a four-year term ending January 1, 2007. She replaces Emmy Lou Hanson on the board.

The Board of Optometry is responsible for licensing and disciplining optometrists. The board is made up of seven members appointed by the Governor.