Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Audrey Bennett, Bescye Burnett, Diane Carlson, Duane Coleman, G. H. "Jerry" Norsby, Susan Taylor, and Daniel Wolter and the reappointment of Keith Dixon, Ph.D., Pamela Harris, Susan Heegaard, Harry Melander, and Jackie Sinykin to the Minnesota Commission on National and Community Service, also known as ServeMinnesota! All 12 are appointed to three year terms that expire on August 1, 2007.

Bennett, of St. Paul, is self-employed and the former chair of the Prairie Island Dakota Community. Bennett replaces Bobby Whitefeather as a Tribal representative on the Commission.

Burnett, of St. Cloud, is the director of the Great River Regional Library in St. Cloud and a member of the fund-raising, education, and faith communities committees of the St. Cloud Create CommUNITY. Burnett replaces Ellis Bullock as a representative of community-based organizations.

Carlson, of Mantorville, is a registered nurse with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and the mayor of Mantorville. Carlson replaces Howard Orenstein as a representative of local government.

Coleman, of Golden Valley, is the vice president of development with the Colin Powell Youth Leadership Center in Minneapolis, a volunteer tutor with Urban Ventures Learning Lab, and a Babe Ruth baseball coach with the Robbinsdale Area Youth Baseball Association. Coleman replaces Daniel Capouch as a representative of youth development.

Dixon, of Faribault, is the superintendent of Faribault public schools. Dixon, who has been a member of the Commission since July 2003, is reappointed as a representative of educators of primary or secondary students.

Harris, of Falcon Heights, is an attorney and partner with Rider Bennett in Minneapolis in the labor and employment law section. Harris is currently chair of the Commission.

Heegaard, of St. Paul, is the director of the Higher Education Services Office and the chief higher education advisor to the Governor. Heegaard is reappointed to the Commission as a representative of higher education.

Melander, of Mahtomedi, is the business representative for the St. Paul Building and Construction Trades Council. Melander, who has been a member of the Commission since its inception in 1994, is reappointed as a representative of local labor.

Norsby, of Apple Valley, is retired after 32 years in human resources with Ford Motor Company. He is currently a counselor with SCORE (Service Corp. of Retired Executives), and chair of Meals on Wheels for the Community Church in Eagan. Norsby replaces Cy Carpenter as a representative of older adults.

Sinykin, of Bloomington, is an independent consultant in organizational effectiveness, which includes volunteer program management. She is the former executive director of The Volunteer Center and has been a member of numerous statewide advisory groups. Sinykin, who has served one three-year term on the Commission, is reappointed as a representative of volunteers.

Taylor, of Mankato, is the director of development with Minnesota State University, Mankato. Taylor replaces Beth Pederson as a member with experience in development.

Wolter, of Eagan, is the special assistant to the Governor's Health Cabinet and previously served as communications director for Governor Pawlenty. Wolter replaces Corrie Schueller as a member with expertise in public relations.

The Minnesota Commission on National and Community Service coordinates volunteer learning service programs, administers the youth works grant program as well as the federal Americorps program. The commission consists of 25 members, including 24 appointed by the governor, the Commissioner of Education plus four ex-officio legislative members