Saint Paul - Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Howard Swenson and the reappointment of William Thyne to the Minnesota Rural Finance Authority. 

M. Howard Swenson, of Nicollet, served as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from January 1995 to January 2005, including serving as Chairman of the House Agricultural Policy Committee.  A lifelong farmer, he also served as a member of his local school board.  Swenson is appointed to an Authority position for a public member and will serve a four-year term which ends January 5, 2009.  He replaces Patrick Thiry on the Authority. 

William J. Thyne, of Ortonville, currently serves as Vice President of the Clinton State Bank in Clinton.  He previously served as Executive Vice President of Tri-County State Bank in Ortonville.  Thyne received a B.S. in Agricultural Economics from South Dakota State University in Brookings.  He is appointed to an Authority position for a public member and will serve a four-year term which ends January 5, 2009.  He first joined the Authority in 2001. 

The Minnesota Rural Finance Authority offers a variety of loan programs through participating lenders.  These loan programs help new farmers purchase agricultural land, expand livestock production, make physical improvements to farm operations, or invest in a Minnesota value-added farmer owned cooperative.  The Authority also operates the Aggie Bond program.  The Authority is made up of eleven members, including six appointed by the Governor.