Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Ken Kaffine and the reappointment of Diana Lewis and Edward Oliver, to the Minnesota State Arts Board. All three are appointed to four-year terms that expire January 3, 2011.

Kaffine, of Minneapolis, is a communications specialist with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). He is responsible for internal communications at the department including serving as the editor of MDE Today, the agency’s bi-weekly newsletter. He also oversees constituent service communication. In addition to his communication experience, Kaffine works as an actor and model. He has performed at Twin Cities locations including; Theatre in the Round, the Guthrie Lab, Bloomington Civic Theater, and the Bryant Lake Bowl Theater. Kaffine has a bachelor of arts in journalism and theater arts from the University of Minnesota. He is appointed as an at-large member and replaces Sarah Caruso on the board.

Lewis, of Sunfish Lake, has been employed at Ecolab, Inc. in St. Paul since 1988. She is currently the senior vice president for human resources. She serves on the board of directors for the McPhail School of Music, the Metropolitan State University Foundation, and the Friends of the St. Paul Library. She is a former board member of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Minneapolis YWCA. Lewis received a bachelor of arts degree in math and business from the University of Minnesota. She is reappointed as the member from the second congressional district.

Oliver, of Deephaven, served in the Minnesota State Senate from 1993-2003, representing the Lake Minnetonka area. He was instrumental in the cooperative effort to create the Minnetonka Center for the Arts. Oliver has been an active member and participant in several community art organizations including work with the Minnesota Opera, Art on the Lake, the United Way, and the Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities. He is a former member of the Unites State Air Force and owner of Oliver Financial. Oliver received a bachelor of science degree in economics from the University of Minnesota. He is reappointed as the member from the third congressional district.

The Minnesota State Arts Board attempts to enrich the quality of life in Minnesota by making the arts accessible to all citizens, nurturing creative activities, encouraging the development of innovative forms of artistic expression, and preserving the State’s diverse artistic heritage. The Board provides grants and services to individual artists, arts organizations, schools, colleges and universities, communities, and other organizations that sponsor arts activities. The Board is made up of eleven members appointed by the Governor.