Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the reappointment of Jeffery L. Johnson and Violet Wagoner, and the appointment of Dean R. Ascheman to the Minnesota Veterans Homes Board. 

Dean R. Ascheman, of Rochester, currently serves as Minnesota Adjutant of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).  He also serves as Executive Director of the Minnesota DAV Foundation.  In 2003, Ascheman retired from a senior executive position at IBM in Rochester.  His IBM career spanned almost 40 years and included management roles in Minnesota , Texas, Maryland, Illinois, Massachusetts, Italy, and the United Kingdom. 

Ascheman served as State Commander of the DAV from 1976 to 1977.  He served as National Vice Commander of the DAV from 1980 to 1983.  Ascheman also previously served as President of the Rochester Catholic Schools Board and as President of the University of Minnesota 4-H Foundation Board.  He served on active duty in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1964, followed by service in the Army Reserve.  Ascheman is appointed to a four-year term which ends January 5, 2009.  He replaces Mary Lu Brunner on the Board. 

Jeffery L. Johnson, of Alpha, currently serves as County Veteran Service Officer and Emergency Management Director for Jackson County.  His prior career includes service as the Hospital Administrator and Assistant Nursing Home Administrator at Jackson Medical Center. Johnson served as President of the Minnesota Association of County Veteran Service Officers from 2003 to 2004. 

Johnson currently serves as the Post Commander of American Legion Post 130 in Jackson.  He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Viet Nam Veterans of America (VVA).  Johnson also currently serves as President of Jackson County Pheasants Forever.  He served on active duty in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1976, including serving in Vietnam.  Johnson is appointed to a four-year term which ends January 5, 2009.  He was first appointed to the Veterans Homes Board in 2002.  Johnson currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board. 

Violet Wagoner, of Oak Park Heights, is retired.  Wagoner has volunteered at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis every Wednesday since 1984.  She also volunteers at the Hastings Veterans Home.  Wagoner is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary (VFWA).  She served as President of the Lake Elmo Auxiliary to VFW Post 5725 from 1984 to 1985.  Wagoner served as President of the Fourth District VFW Auxiliary from 1990 to 1991, and as State of Minnesota VFW Auxiliary President from 1998 to 1999. 

Wagoner is a member of American Legion Post 39 in North St. Paul, and the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, Chapter 2.  She holds life membership in the National Korean War Veterans Association and in the Minnesota Korean War Veterans, Chapter 1.  Wagoner served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.  She is appointed to a four-year term which ends January 5, 2009.  Wagoner was first appointed to the Veterans Home Board in 2001. 

The Board of Directors of the Minnesota Veterans Homes oversees management of Minnesota’s five state-run veterans homes.  The homes are located in Minneapolis, Hastings, Silver Bay, Luverne, and Fergus Falls.  The Homes provide over 900 beds to qualifying veterans and their spouses.  The board is made up of nine members appointed by the Governor, and up to three ex-officio members.  The board’s website is www.mvh.state.mn.us.