Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Toni Fairbanks, Adrienne Haugen, Elise Knopf, Michele Kyler, Doug Marquardt, Clifford Miller, Jeffery Moen, Sharon Rosen, Patti Morelli Teachout, Diana van Deusen, and Kim Wassenaar to the Minnesota Commission Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing People.

Toni Fairbanks, of Ogema, is appointed to a three-year term ending January 2, 2006. She fills the Council position for a representative of the Northwest (Fergus Falls) Advisory Council. Fairbanks replaces Cody Duncan on the Council.

Adrienne Haugen, of Olivia, is appointed to a three-year term ending January 2, 2006. She fills a Council position for an at-large member. Haugen is reappointed to a second term on the Council.

Elise Knopf, of Minneapolis, is appointed to a partial term ending January 5, 2004. She fills a Council position for an at-large member. Knopf replaces Marcia Avner on the Council.

Michele Kyler, of Crookston, is appointed to a three-year term ending January 2, 2006. She fills the Council position for a representative of the Northwest (Bemidji) Advisory Council. Kyler is reappointed to a second term on the Council.

Doug Marquardt, of Dodge Center, is appointed to a three-year term ending January 2, 2006. He fills the Council position for a representative of the Southeast Advisory Council. Marquardt is appointed to a second term on the Council.

Clifford Miller, of New Hope, is appointed to a three-year term ending January 2, 2006. He fills the Council position for a representative of the Metro Advisory Council. Miller replaces Richard Laurion on the Council.

Jeffery Moen, of Cloquet, is appointed to a three-year term ending January 2, 2006. He fills a Council position for an at-large member. Moen previously served on the Council as the representative of the Northeast Advisory Council. Moen replaces Brian Farrell as an at-large member on the Council.

Sharon Rosen, of New Munich, is appointed to a three-year term ending January 2, 2006. She fills the Council position for a representative of the East Central Advisory Council. Rosen is reappointed to a second term on the Council.

Patti Teachout, of North St. Paul, is appointed to a three-year term ending January 2, 2006. She fills a Council position for an at-large member. Teachout replaces Marian Hausladen on the Council.

Diana van Deusen, of Minneapolis, is appointed to a three-year term ending January 2, 2006. She fills a Council position for an at-large member. Van Deusen replaces Lee Pao Pao Xiong on the Council.

Kim Wassenaar, of Coon Rapids, is appointed to a three-year term ending January 2, 2006. She fills a Council position for an at-large member. Wassenaar is reappointed to a second term on the Council.

The Minnesota Commission Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing People (MCDHH) serves as the principal state agency advocating on behalf of deaf, deaf-blind, and hard-of-hearing Minnesotans and working to ensure they have equal access to the services, programs, and opportunities available to others. The Commission is made up of 15 members appointed by the Governor.