Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the reappointment of Brian Bensen and Daniel Foley and the appointment of Melanie Allen to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency "Citizens Board."

Melanie Allen, of Eagan, is the Principal at Safety Skill Builders in Eagan. She previously served as Manager of Corporate Safety and Health at Ecolab, Inc. in St. Paul. In December 2003, Governor Pawlenty appointed Allen to the Council of Black Minnesotans. She received a B.S. in Chemistry from Texas A&M University and a M.S. in Environmental Health Science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Allen is appointed to a term which ends January 1, 2007. She fills the Board seat formerly held by Marcus Marsh.

Brian J. Bensen, of St. Cloud, is the County Administrator for Sherburne County. He previously served as Sherburne County's Planning and Zoning Administrator. Bensen also serves as Chair of the Resource Recovery Operations Committee of the Elk River Resource Recovery Facility. He received a B.S. in Secondary Education, History and Political Science from St. Cloud State University. Bensen is reappointed to another four-year term which ends January 5, 2009. He was first appointed to the Board in 2001.

Daniel Foley, of Woodbury, is Vice President of Medical Affairs at Allina Hospitals & Clinics. He also serves as the Medical Director of Allina's United Hospital. Dr. Foley is board certified in family practice medicine, emergency medicine, and medical toxicology. He received a B.S. from Creighton University in Omaha Nebraska and a M.D. from the University of Parma, Italy, and completed a family practice residency at North Memorial Medical Center. Dr. Foley is reappointed to another four-year term which ends January 5, 2009. He was first appointed to the Board in 1985.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Board, often called the MPCA Citizen's Board, consists of nine members appointed by the Governor, including the MPCA Commissioner who serves as the board's chair. The board sets agency policy related to the protection of Minnesota's air, water, and land resources.