Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of 16 members, including two new people, to the Metropolitan Council.  The openings occurred as a result of the 2003 Legislature’s redrawing of the Council’s geographically-defined boundaries.

The Governor’s two new appointees to the Metropolitan Council are Georgeanne Hilker and Brian McDaniel.  They join Rick Aguilar, Tom Egan, Marcel Eibensteiner, Song Lo Fawcett, Chris Georgacas, Peggy Leppik, Annette Meeks, Tony Pistilli, Roger Scherer, Jules Smith, Mary Hill Smith, Natalie Haas Steffen, Russell Susag and Lynette Wittsack, whom Governor Pawlenty appointed to the Metropolitan Council earlier this year.

“I’ve been impressed with the Metropolitan Council’s efforts to redefine its focus and their plans to work with local governments to better deliver services to the metropolitan area,” Governor Pawlenty said.  “Although I’m disappointed that we’ll lose Duane Arens and Glen Skovholt from the Council, I am also excited to have two people the caliber of Georgie and Brian step forward to continue moving the Metropolitan Council forward.”

Aguilar, of West St. Paul, is president of Aguilar Marketing Productions, a commissioner of the RiverCentre Authority, founded the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and is a past chairman of the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce.  Aguilar has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since March 2003.  He is appointed to the new District 13.

Egan, of Eagan, is an attorney and partner with the law firm of Egan, Stewart & Lauer in Apple Valley and a former two-term mayor of Eagan.  He has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since May 2002.  He is appointed to the new District 15.

Eibensteiner, of North Oaks, is founder and president of Royal Oaks Realty, Inc., Royal Excavating, Inc., and Imperial Homes, Inc.  Eibensteiner has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since March 2003.  He is appointed to the new District 10.

Fawcett, of St. Paul, is an attorney and partner with the law firm of Kelly & Fawcett and chairs the St. Paul Human Rights Commission.  Fawcett has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since March 2003.  She is appointed to the new District 14.

Georgacas, of Mahtomedi, is a principal and shareholder with Goff & Howard, Inc., a public relations/public affairs firm in St. Paul.  Georgacas has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since March 2003.  He is appointed to the new District 12.

Hilker, of White Bear Lake, is the administrative assistant to the Minnesota House of Representatives Majority Leader and a member of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Community Foundation.  She is also a past member of the White Bear Lakes Parks Advisory Commission.  Hilker is appointed to the new District 11.

Leppik, of Golden Valley, recently retired after serving six terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives, where she chaired the Higher Education Finance Committee.  Leppik has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since March 2003.  She is appointed to the new District Six.

McDaniel, of Apple Valley, is the director of fiscal policy for the Minnesota Business Partnership.  He is past president of the Optimist Club of Apple Valley, and a board member of the Wyndemere Homeowner’s Association.  He is appointed to the new District 16.

Meeks, of Minneapolis, is director of government affairs and public programs for the Center of the American Experiment.  Meeks has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since March 2003.  She is appointed to the new District Seven.

Pistilli, of Brooklyn Park, is the owner of Park Appraisal Service, a real estate appraisal company, and was a member of the Brooklyn Park City Council until earlier this year.  Pistilli has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since March 2003.  He is appointed to the new District Two.

Scherer, of Plymouth, is chairman of the board of Scherer Bros. Lumber Company, and previously served on the Metropolitan Council from 1980 to 1984 and again from 1992 to 1998.  Scherer is appointed to the new District One.

Jules Smith, of Chaska, is an attorney in private practice, president of International Renaissance Festivals, Ltd., which produces and operates renaissance festivals in Annapolis, Maryland, and Toronto, Ontario, and president of International Conference Foundation.  Smith has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since 1993 and currently chairs its Management Committee.  He is appointed to the new District Four.

Mary Hill Smith, of Wayzata, is a past chair and current member of the Minnesota Women’s Campaign Fund, and chair of the Sheltering Arms Foundation.   Smith has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since 1993, and chairs its Transportation Committee.  She is appointed to the new District Three.

Steffen, of Ramsey, has previously served as a member of the Ramsey City Council, commissioner of the Department of Human Services, and an Anoka County Commissioner.  Steffen has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since 1999.  She is appointed to the new District Nine.

Susag, of Richfield, is president of SUSAG Environmental Consulting, Inc., and was the director of environmental regulatory affairs with 3M.  Susag has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since March 2003.  He is appointed to the new District Five.

Wittsack, of Minneapolis, is a stay-at-home mother, former business owner and community activist. Wittsack has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since March 2003.  She is appointed to the new District Eight.

The Metropolitan Council coordinates planning and development in the seven county metropolitan area and directly operates several regional services.  The Metropolitan Council consists of 16 metropolitan citizens appointed from geographically defined districts in the seven county metropolitan area and a chair.  All 17 members are appointed by the Governor to four-year terms that are co-terminus with the governor.