Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Penny H.M. Johnson, Roberta Jones, Jane B. McWilliams, Sonja Peterson, and Howard Wilson to the Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education.

Penny H.M. Johnson, of Willmar, retired in 2000 from the Willmar Regional Treatment Center (RTC).  At the RTC, she served as supervisor of the female component of the Adolescent Treatment Unit.  Johnson currently serves as a Guardian ad Litem for the Eighth Judicial District, primarily in Kandiyohi County.  She is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in Minnesota.  Johnson is a resident of the 7th Congressional District and is appointed to a four-year term which ends January 5, 2009.  She was first appointed to the Board in 2001. 

Roberta Jones, of Minneapolis, is an Assistant Hennepin County Attorney.  She is currently assigned to the civil division of the County Attorney's Office, having previously served in the adult prosecution and juvenile divisions.  Jones is a member of the board of directors of the Wayside House in St. Louis Park.  She is a resident of the 5th Congressional District and is appointed to a four-year term which ends January 5, 2009.  She was first appointed to the Board in March 2004. 

Jane B. McWilliams, of Northfield, is retired.  She previously served as a member of the advisory council for the Minnesota Center for Arts Education, the Northfield Arts Guild Board, and the board of the Minnesota Alliance for Arts Education.  McWilliams is a resident of the 2nd Congressional District and is appointed to fill a term which ends January 1, 2007.  She was first appointed to the Board in 2001 and is now appointed to fill the remainder of the term caused by the resignation of Board member Mary France Skala. 

Sonja Peterson, of Battle Lake, served as director of the Lake Region Arts Council from 1984 to 2002.  She also previously served as president of the consortium representing Minnesota's Regional Arts Councils.  Peterson is a former member of the board of the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, Iowa.  She is a resident of the 7th Congressional District and is appointed to a four-year term which ends January 5, 2009.  Peterson was first appointed to the Board in 2001. 

Howard Wilson, of Northfield, currently serves as the principal of the Longfellow Humanities Magnet School, a public elementary school in St. Paul.  He has been employed as an administrator for St. Paul Public Schools since 1997.  Wilson began his education career as a music, English and theatre arts teacher in Brisbane, Australia.  He is a resident of the 2nd Congressional District and is appointed to a four-year term which ends January 5, 2009.  Wilson is appointed to the Board seat formerly held by Jane McWilliams.   

The Perpich Center for Arts Education is located in Golden Valley.  The Perpich Center includes the Arts High School, which is a tuition-free public high school for 310 students in grades 11 and 12.  The Center also conducts research into arts education and acts as a resource for schools, teachers, students, and artists.  The Center is governed by a board of 15 members appointed by the Governor.