Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Robin Engelson and Robert Saunders, and the reappointment of Robert Hyde, and Melodie Rose to the Board of Accountancy. All four are appointed to four-year terms that expire on January 3, 2011.

Engelson, of Minnetonka, is founder and CEO of Sapphire Financial Group, a financial advisory services firm; and a strategic partner and advisor at Goldsmith Agio Helms, a private investment banking firm. Before launching her own company, she served in management and lending positions at GE Capital, The Bank of New York, Wells Fargo and U.S. Bank. Engelson serves on the board of directors for Medica Health Plans, and Ameriprise Bank, FSB, and on the advisory boards for two private equity funds. Engelson earned her master of business administration degree from the Anderson Graduate School of Management at the University of California, Los Angeles, and her bachelor of arts degree in economics from the University of Michigan. Engelson replaces Mary Lynn Widseth as a public member.

Hyde, of Plymouth, is an audit director with Deloitte and Touche in Minneapolis. He has been with the firm since 1972, and a licensed certified public accountant (CPA) since 1973. Hyde is a member of the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Institute of Management Accountants, and National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. He earned both his MBA and BS degrees in accounting from Mankato State University. Hyde, who has been a member of the Board of Accountancy since 2003, is appointed to another four-year term as a CPA member.

Rose, of Maple Grove, is an attorney, shareholder and chair of the securities group with the law firm of Fredrikson and Byron in Minneapolis, working in securities, corporate and commercial law, investment company and adviser regulation, venture capital matters and broker/dealer compliance. She earned her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and her BBA degree magna cum laude in management and accounting from the University of North Dakota. Rose, who has been a member of the Board of Accountancy since 2005, is appointed to a four-year term as a public member.

Saunders, of Bird Island, is a principal with the accounting firm of Saunders Mertens Schmitz in Bird Island. His practice consists of auditing of not for profit organizations and cities, small business planning and tax management in rural Minnesota. Saunders is a member of the Minnesota Association of Public Accountants, and served as president in 2004 – 05. He is also a member of the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the National Society of Accountants. Saunders graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1972, and after a six-year term in the U.S. Navy, returned to Bird Island and began an accounting practice in 1978. He became a Licensed Public Accountant in 1980, a CPA in 1995, and a certified financial planner in 2001. Saunders replaces Roger Reinhart as a CPA member.

The Board of Accountancy examines, licenses and regulates certified public accountants. The board consists of nine members appointed by the Governor.