Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Mary Choate to the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco (MPAAT). Choate is appointed to the seat previously held by Christine Rice.

Mary Choate and her husband own and operate seven McDonald's restaurants in the metropolitan area. She serves as secretary/treasurer for this business. Choate previously worked as a stockbroker with Piper Jaffray, E. F. Hutton, and Norwest Investment Services.

In July 2004, Choate was appointed by Governor Pawlenty to the Minnesota Lottery Organizational Task Force. In 1998, Governor Arne Carlson appointed her to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State College and University System (MnSCU). Choate served two six-year terms on the Board of Trustees, and was Board Chair from August 2001 to July 2003. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Association of Community College Trustees.

Choate received a B.A. in English from St. Cloud State University. She previously served as Chair of the St. Cloud State University Foundation Board and as President of the St. Cloud State University Alumni Board. Choate is a member of Grace Church in Eden Prairie and she resides in Minnetonka with her husband.

The Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the human and economic consequences of tobacco use in Minnesota. MPAAT was created in 1998 in Ramsey County District Court, and received $202 million from the $6.1 billion tobacco settlement. MPAAT funds research and smoking cessation activities. The board consists of nineteen members, including two appointed by the Governor.