Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Robert Bonawitz, Jennifer Engh and Karel M. Weigel and the reappointment of Willis Branning and David Leckey to the Minnesota Zoological Board.

Bonawitz, of Willmar, is president of the Willmar Municipal Electric Utility. He previously was president of ORCA, Inc., and held a number of positions with Control Data Corporation. Bonawitz was associate director of the Minnesota Zoological Gardens from 1975 to 1977 and also served as president of the Minnesota Zoological Society. Bonawitz replaces Peter Myers to complete a term that expires on January 1, 2007.

Branning, of Apple Valley, is a management consultant and a Dakota County Commissioner. He has also served as mayor and a member of the Apple Valley City Council and is active in a variety of civic and community organizations. Branning, who has been a member of the Zoo Board since 2001, is reappointed as a member recommended by the Dakota County Board of Commissioners to another four-year term that expires on January 5, 2009.

Engh, of St. Paul, is the state government relations director for Cargill, Inc. She also worked in government relations with the Minneapolis law firm of Dorsey and Whitney, served as assistant commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Revenue, and worked with the Minnesota Zoological Gardens as a House of Representatives fiscal analyst in the 1980s. Engh replaces James Trenda for a four-year term that expires on January 5, 2009.

Leckey, of Inver Grove Heights, is executive vice president and a member of the board of directors of Dane Industries in Plymouth. He was a member of Governor Arne Carlson's staff, deputy director of the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development, and executive director of the Southwest Minnesota Initiative Fund. Leckey, who has been a member of the Zoo Board since 2003, is appointed to a four-year term that expires on January 5, 2009.

Weigel, of Rochester, is the community relations administrator with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Her community activities include serving as president of the boards of directors of First Homes, Inc., and the Rochester Art Center. She has also been chair of the Olmsted County Social Services Advisory Board, and co-chair of the Family Action Collaborative of Olmsted County. Weigel replaces Christopher Moir for a four-year term that expires on January 5, 2009.

The Minnesota Zoological Board operates and maintains the Minnesota Zoological Garden. The board consists of 30 members, including 15 appointed by the Governor and 15 appointed by the Zoo Board.