Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Joe Swedberg to the Minnesota Zoological Board.

Swedberg, of Austin, is the corporate vice president of legislative affairs and marketing services for Hormel Foods Corporation in Austin, a position he has held since 2003. He began his career with Hormel Foods in 1981, and has held a variety of positions over the years in Colorado, Texas, and Illinois, as well as Minnesota. Swedberg is the immediate past chairman of the Board of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, is vice chair of the Board of Minnesota Agri-Growth, and a member of the Students in Free Enterprise Board, Advisory Leadership Circle for the Southeastern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, and the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission. He also served on Governor Pawlenty’s Livestock and Siting Task Forces and is past president of the Austin YMCA Board of Directors. Swedberg replaces Michael McCoy on the Zoo Board to complete a four-year term that expires on January 7, 2008.

The Minnesota Zoological Board operates and maintains the Minnesota Zoological Garden. The board consists of 30 members, including 15 appointed by the Governor and 15 appointed by the Zoo Board.