Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Derek K. Nord to the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities.

Derek K. Nord, of Minneapolis, is a graduate research assistant at the Institute for Community Integration at the University of Minnesota. He also serves as an employment specialist for the Consumer Directed Community Supports Waiver program which is administered through the State of Minnesota. Nord previously served as a vocational team supervisor for Access To Employment Too, Inc, in Golden Valley.

Nord received a B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology from St. Olaf College in Northfield and a M.S.W. from Augsburg College in Minneapolis. He is appointed to a position for a public member and will serve a term which ends January 7, 2008. Nord fills the seat formerly held by David Dunn.

The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities (MGCDD) assists persons with developmental disabilities to achieve increased independence, productivity, self determination, integration and inclusion into the community. The MGCDD is made up of 25 members appointed by the Governor.