Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Carole Elfstrum, Harvey Hietala, David Jebens, Angela Judd, and Fannie Primm to the Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation's (MAEF) Board of Directors.

Carole Elfstrum, of Apple Valley is the President and CEO of Elfstrum Consulting, Inc. She previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. Elfstrum is appointed as a business representative on the MAEF Board and will serve a term ending January 7, 2008. She fills the board position formerly held by Jory Isakson.

Harvey Hietala, of Grand Rapids, retired in 1999 after 38 years as a classroom teacher. He had been an English teacher at Grand Rapids Public Schools since 1967. Hietala is reappointed as an education representative on the MAEF Board and will serve a term ending January 7, 2008. He was first appointed to the MAEF Board in 2000.

David L. Jebens, of Little Canada, is a Vice President and Trust Manager at U.S. Bank in Minneapolis. He has been employed with U.S. Bank since 1986. Jebens is appointed as a business representative on the MAEF Board and will serve a term ending January 7, 2008. He fills the board position formerly held by Jim Bartholomew.

Angela Judd, of Chaska, has been an English Language Arts Instructor at Hutchinson Public Schools since 1979. She is a recipient of the 2004 MAEF Academic Teaching Award. Judd is appointed as an education representative on the MAEF Board and will serve a term ending January 7, 2008. She fills the board position formerly held by Kathleen Maloney.

Fannie Primm, of Minneapolis, retired in 2003 as a social studies/government teacher and advisor for students-at-risk at Folwell Middle School and Green Central Community Schools in Minneapolis. Primm is appointed as an education representative on the MAEF Board and will serve a term ending January 2, 2006. She fills the board position formerly held by Jane Confer.

The Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation (MAEF) identifies and presents awards to outstanding students, educators, and supporters of education. MAEF provides teachers with educational tools such as the Classroom Quality Program. MAEF also administers the Education Quality Leadership Academy and offers workshops and training sessions to help school leaders improve school performance. MAEF is governed by a 21 member board of directors appointed by the Governor.