Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of William F. Arendt, Terry Hoffman, and Judith Russell, and the reappointment of Joshua Downham, Senator David Durenberger, Laura Harris, and Thomas Horner to the Minnesota Commission on National and Community Service, also known as the ServeMinnesota Commission.  All seven are appointed to unrestricted community member positions on the commission.

Arendt, of Annandale, is the chief financial officer for The KNW Group, which provides financial services to businesses and individuals, including employee benefits, wealth accumulation and preservation, life insurance applications, investment services, and retirement planning.  He has a background in financial, administrative, and human resources in the printing and insurance industries as well as in public accounting.  He is currently a member of the ServeMinnesota Finance Committee, and the Cedar Lake Conservation Club of Annandale.  Arendt replaces Bonnie Esposito for a three-year term that expires on August 1, 2008.

Downham, of Minneapolis, is the project and marketing manager for UrbanPlanet in St. Paul, where he coordinates and oversees the development of large-scale software development projects for education, government, and non-profit clients.  Previously, he was a government relations liaison with the Minneapolis Public Schools, a campaign consultant for the Minneapolis Public Schools 2000 Referendum Committee, and a committee administrator and communications specialist with the Minnesota House of Representatives.  Downham, who has been a member of the ServeMinnesota Commission since 2003 and is a member of its Executive Committee, is reappointed to another three-year term that expires on August 1, 2008.

Durenberger, of St. Paul, is the senior health policy fellow with the University of St. Thomas College of Business.  He is also chair and chief executive officer of the National Institute of Health Policy, a program of the University of St. Thomas.  Durenberger is a commissioner with the National Commission for Quality Long-term Care, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, and the Kaiser Commission on the Future of Medicaid and the Uninsured.  He is also a board member of the National Committee on Quality Assurance, and was appointed by Governor Pawlenty in 2003 to chair the Minnesota Citizens Forum on Healthcare Costs.  Durenberger served as a United States Senator from Minnesota from 1978 to 1995.  Durenberger is appointed to another three-year term on the ServeMinnesota Commission that expires on August 1, 2008.

Harris, of St. Paul, is an intergovernmental relations representative with the League of Minnesota Cities.  She was a policy manager, legislative coordinator, and deputy director of the policy management department in the Office of Governor Jesse Ventura, and a committee administrator and committee legislative assistant with the Minnesota House of Representatives.  Harris is a member of the Harriet Bishop Academy Board of Directors, was a member of the St. Paul Capital Improvement Budget Committee, the St. Paul to Kosovo Team, and a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota.  Harris, who has been a member of the ServeMinnesota Commission since 2003 and serves on its Public Affairs and Development Committee, is reappointed to another three-year term that expires on August 1, 2008.

Hoffman, of St. Paul, is a community consultant and volunteers extensively for civic and non-profit organizations.  These include management of the campaign for the restoration of Harriet Island for the St. Paul Riverfront Corporation, serving as interim vice president of development for KTCA Public Television, and director of foundation relations for the College of St. Catherine's capital campaign.  Hoffman has served as chair of the Citizens League Board, president of the Courage Center Board of Directors, chair of the United Arts Board of Directors, and a member of the Como Zoo and Conservatory Board.  She was commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, a Public Utilities Commissioner, and director of the Minnesota Department of Transportation Office of Environmental Affairs under Governor Al Quie.  Hoffman replaces Mark Langseth for a three-year term that expires on August 1, 2008.

Horner, of Edina, is a founder and principal of Himle Horner Inc., a public relations/public affairs firm.  Previously, he was vice president and general manager of the Minnesota office of Hill and Knowlton, press secretary and chief of staff to U.S. Senator David Durenberger, and managing editor of Sun Newspapers, Inc.  Horner teaches master's degree courses in corporate communications and public affairs at the University of St. Thomas, a public affairs commentator for Minnesota Public Radio, and a frequent public affairs analyst for other news media.  He serves on the Children's Theatre Company Board of Governors, the Citizen's League Board of Directors, and the University of Minnesota School of Journalism and Mass Communications' Premack Board.  Horner, who serves on the ServeMinnesota Commission Executive Committee, is reappointed to another three-year term that expires on August 1, 2008.

Russell, of Stillwater, is a licensed social worker with over 35 years of professional experience in human services and community organizations.  She recently retired as director of volunteer services for Children's Home Society and Family Services of Minnesota.  Russell was a founder of the Minnesota Association of Volunteer Administration and currently serves on its board of directors.  She currently serves on the Ripley Foundation, and was chair of the St. Paul Public Schools' Special Education Council, co-chair of the Advisory Council for the United Way of Minneapolis Volunteer Center, past president of the Minnesota Association of Volunteer Directors, and a member of the Volunteer Center Board of Directors in St. Paul.  Russell replaces Robert Ferderer on the commission to complete a three-year term that expires on August 1, 2006.

The Minnesota Commission on National and Community Service coordinates volunteer learning service programs, administers the youth works grant program as well as the federal Americorps program.  The commission consists of 25 members, including 24 appointed by the governor, the Commissioner of Education plus four ex-officio legislative members.