Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Alina Granholm, Douglas Holton, Joanne Myrvik, Kelli Slavik, and Judy Smith Thill and the reappointment of Dennis Andrist, Marvin Calvin, Wayne Durant, Jim Fisher, Troy Gilchrist, Margaret "Peg" Larsen, Kathleen Mullen, Thomas Pressler, and John Wiskocil to the Board of Firefighter Training and Education.  The board, which had expired, was reauthorized by the 2005 Legislature (Laws of Minnesota 2005, Chapter 110).

Andrist, of Shakopee, is a captain with the Faribault Fire Department.  He has been a firefighter with Faribault for 27 years.  He has also served as a vice president of the Minnesota Professional Firefighters Association since 2004, and is a nationally certified fire service instructor.  Andrist, who has been a member of the board since its inception in 2001, is reappointed as a representative of professional firefighters for a four-year term that expires on January 7, 2008.

Calvin, of New London, has been the Willmar Fire Chief and Fire Marshal since 2000.  He is active in numerous professional associations, including the Kandiyohi County Fire Chiefs Association, Lakes Region Firefighters Association and the Fire Instructors Association of Minnesota.  Calvin, who has been a member of the board since 2003, is reappointed as a representative of volunteer fire chiefs for a four-year term that expires on January 5, 2009.

Durant, of Brainerd, has been a volunteer firefighter with the Brainerd Fire Department for nearly 20 years.  He is also secretary of the Cuyuna Range Firefighters Association, and secretary of the Cuyuna Range Fire Chiefs Association.  Durant, who has been a member of the board since its inception in 2001, is reappointed as a representative of volunteer firefighters for a four-year term that expires on January 5, 2009.

Fisher, of Zim, has been a township officer for 20 years, and has been a volunteer firefighter for 24 years.  He was also a member of the Governor's Fire Council.  Fisher, who has been a member of the board since its inception in 2001, is reappointed as a representative of townships for a four-year term that expires on January 5, 2009.

Gilchrist, of Becker, has been the director of operations and general counsel for the Minnesota Association of Townships since 1991.  He is also a volunteer firefighter, emergency medical technician and vice president of the relief association with the Becker Fire Department.  Gilchrist, who has been a member of the board since its inception in 2001, is reappointed as a representative of townships for a four-year term that expires on January 4, 2010.

Granholm, of Esko, is the editor-in-chief of Minnesota Fire Chief magazine and a member of the Thomson Township-Esko Volunteer Fire Department, serving as a firefighter and first responder.  She also serves on the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association Board of Directors, Minnesota Fire Service Foundation Board, and Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial Association.  Granholm replaces David Christian as a representative of volunteer firefighters on the board for a four-year term that expires on January 1, 2007.

Holton, of St. Paul, is Chief of the St. Paul Department of Fire and Safety Services, a position he has held since 2003.  He has over 28 years of experience as a firefighter, and is a member of the National Fire Protection Association, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association and Association of Minnesota Emergency Managers.  Holton replaces Ulysses Seal on the board as a representative of professional fire chiefs for a four-year term that expires on January 4, 2010.

Larsen, of Lakeland, is president of RCS Consulting and a former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives.  She was also the mayor of Lakeland serving as the public safety director for the city council.  Larsen, who has been a member of the board since 2003, is reappointed as a public member for a four-year term that expires on January 1, 2007.

Mullen, of Minneapolis, is a captain with the Minneapolis Fire Department.  She has been a professional firefighter with the city of Minneapolis for over 12 years.  She is also past vice president of the Minnesota Women's Firefighters Association, and served on the Minneapolis Fire Department's Cultural Awareness Committee.  Mullen, who has been a member of the board since 2003, is reappointed as a representative of professional firefighters for a four-year term that expires on January 1, 2007.

Myrvik, of Minneota, has been the mayor of Minneota since 1996.  She is the director of the senior citizens' program, chair of the Joint Powers Board, as well as Minneota's 125th anniversary celebration and is a member of the Fire Relief Board, Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging, and the Southwest Regional Development Commission.  Myrvik replaces Judy Johnson as a representative of cities for a four-year term that expires on January 1, 2007.

Pressler, of Bloomington, is president of the Minnesota State Fire Department Association.  He has also been a volunteer firefighter with the Bloomington Fire Department for 20 years, and has been involved in the national Assistance to Firefighter Grant program.  He has also been an officer with the Fire Instructors Association of Minnesota, and the Minnesota Fire Service Joint Council.  Pressler, who has been a member of the board since its inception in 2001, is reappointed as a representative of volunteer firefighters for a four-year term that expires on January 5, 2009.

Slavik, of Plymouth, has been a member of the Plymouth City Council since 1999.  She is the council's liaison to the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee, Wayzata School Board, and Plymouth Civic League.  Slavik replaces Dallas Larson on the board as a representative of cities for a four-year term that expires on January 4, 2010.

Smith Thill, of Eagan, is a full-time deputy fire chief and emergency management coordinator with the Maple Grove Fire Department, a position she has held since 1996.  She is also an on-call training officer, and station lieutenant with the Eagan Fire Department, and has been a volunteer with Eagan since 1989.  She chairs the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association's Safety and Health Committee, and is a member of its Education Committee.  Smith Thill is past president of the Hennepin County Fire Chiefs Association and a member of the Dakota County Incident Management Team.  She has also created classes in community risk analysis and highway incident management for Minnesota State Fire Schools.  Smith Thill replaces Brian Fuder on the board as a representative of career firefighters for a four-year term that expires on January 7, 2008.

Wiskocil, of Montgomery, is a vice president at First National Bank of Montgomery.  He was a volunteer firefighter with the Montgomery Fire Department for over 25 years, 15 of which as an assistant chief.  He has also served as the Minnesota Valley Regional Firefighters Association representative to the Minnesota State Fire Department Association for eight years.  Wiskocil, who has been a member of the board since its inception in 2001, is reappointed as a representative of volunteer firefighters for a four-year term that expires on January 7, 2008.

The Board of Firefighter Training and Education reviews fire service training needs, establishes standards for educational programs and establishes qualifications for fire service training instructors.  The Board consists of 15 members, including 14 appointed by the Governor.