Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Lori Brown, Laurie A. Hill, Robert A. Jensen, Karla McKenzie, Kevin R. Miller, and Marlys Tanner to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Regulatory Board.

Brown, of Roseville, is a health systems sales executive with McKesson Supply Solutions in Minneapolis.  She has previously served as the legislative chair for the Minnesota Ambulance Association, director of sales and marketing for Life Link III, in Minneapolis, marketing manager for Regions Hospital in St. Paul, and a pharmaceutical sales representative for Burroughs Wellcome (Glaxo Smith Kline) in Minneapolis and The Upjohn Company in Grand Forks, North Dakota.  Brown replaces Roger Boatman as a public member for a four-year term that expires on January 4, 2010.

Hill, of Akeley, is the assistant director of the Walker Ambulance Service.  It is anticipated that she will become its director later this year.  Hill is also a part-time critical care paramedic with North Memorial Ambulance Service in Park Rapids and Brainerd.  Previously, she was the office manager for May Creek Lodge in Walker.  Hill also served as mayor of Akeley from 2000 to 2004. Hill replaces Brian LaCroix as a representative of ambulance directors for a four-year term that expires on January 4, 2010.

Jensen, of Mora, is the chief deputy Kanabec County Sheriff, a position he has held since 2003.  He has been a deputy Kanabec County Sheriff since 1981.  Jensen is also a volunteer firefighter with the Mora Fire Department, a police officer with the Minnesota State Fair, a member of the Mora City Council, a Kanabec Hospital Board member, and a board member for The Refuge Network.  Jensen replaces Sheriff Dean Albers as a representative of county sheriffs for a four-year term that expires on January 4, 2010.

McKenzie, of Duluth, is the executive director of the Arrowhead EMS Association in Duluth.  She has also served as president of the Central Lakes Volunteer Fire Department, and captain of the Central Lakes Volunteer First Responders.  McKenzie replaces Jon Linell as a representative of non-metro EMS programs for a four-year term that expires on January 4, 2010.

Miller, of Cannon Falls, is the Dakota County EMS Coordinator.  He is also a part-time paramedic with ALF (Apple Valley, Lakeville Farmington) Ambulance.  Miller has held both positions since 2002, when he came to Minnesota from Texas, where he held a number of positions in the EMS field.  He has also been a part-time police officer with the city of Stillwater.  Miller replaces Robert Carlson as a representative of metro EMS Programs to complete a four-year term that expires on January 7, 2008.

Tanner, of Carlton, is the nurse manager of emergency services at St. Luke's Hospital and Regional Trauma Center in Duluth, a position she has held since 1999.  She has been the trauma program manager and a clinical as well as a charge nurse in the emergency department at St. Luke's Hospital.  Tanner is a member of the Arrowhead EMS Association, where she chair its Projects and Review Committee; and the Emergency Nurses Association, where she has held a number of positions.  Tanner replaces Linda Way as a representative of registered nurses practicing in a hospital emergency department for a four-year term that expires on January 4, 2010.

The Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board makes recommendations on improving access, delivery and effectiveness of the state's EMS delivery system and establishes procedures for investigating, hearing and resolving complaints against EMS providers.  The board consists of 19 members, including 15 appointed by the Governor.  Members may not serve more than one consecutive term on the board.