Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Bee Lee, Terry Cheng Albert Poliarco, and the reappointment of Eleaslo Ale, Sokunthea Bentley, Vinodh Kutty, and Ami Nafzger to the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans.

Lee, of St. Paul, is a program manager for the English language learners department of the St. Paul public schools. In addition to his duties with the St. Paul public schools, Lee is a former instructor of Hmong language and culture at the University of Minnesota. He is actively involved in the Hmong community and plays the drums in a local Hmong band. Lee has a master of arts degree in teaching and learning from St. Mary’s University. Lee is appointed as the Hmong member to fulfill a four- year term that ends January 7, 2008. He replaces Aly Xiong on the council.

Cheng, of Plymouth, is an operating engineer for Wells Fargo Bank. He is currently working on a masters degree in technology management from the University of St. Thomas and holds a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Washington in Seattle. Cheng is a board member of the Chinese American Academic and Professional Association and a member of the downtown Minneapolis YMCA board of directors. Cheng is appointed as the Thai member to a four-year term that ends January 3, 2011. He replaces Rungthip Langseth on the council.

Poliarco, of Inver Grove Heights, is an HIV case manager with the Minnesota AIDS Project. He has worked as an advocate for diverse groups of people both professionally and through community projects. Poliarco is the former president of the Philippine-American Association of Madison and Neighboring Areas and the founder of KAPIHAN-Madison, a forum for Filipino concerns. Poliarco is appointed as the Filipino member to a four-year term that ends January 3, 2011. He replaces Hamilton Flores on the council.

Ale, of Hopkins, is a partner with the law firm of Faegre & Benson LLP. He is a member of the Minnesota, Hennepin County, and Hawaii Bar Associations. He is involved in a number of pro bono and community activities including the Pacific Islanders Center for Education Development board of directors, South High School legal clinic and the State Wards Advocacy Project. Ale earned his juris doctorate with honors from Drake University Law School in Des Moines, Iowa. He has a bachelor of science degree in political science from Northeast Missouri State University, in Kirksville. Ale is reappointed as the Samoan member of the council to fulfill a four year term that ends January 4, 2010.

Bentley, of Eagan, is the associate director for the Center for Asians and Pacific Islanders (CAPI). In addition to her duties with CAPI, she is the president and CEO of the International Translation Bureau (ITB), a company that manages interpreting, translating, and cultural training services. Bentley was recently appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to the Race and Ethnic Advisory Council. Bentley has a bachelor of arts degree in business administration from Hamline University. Bentley is reappointed as the Cambodian member of the council to a four-year term that expires on January 3, 2011.

Kutty, of Minneapolis, is the coordinator of the Hennepin County Office of Multi-Cultural Services. He is responsible for the management of staff and volunteers; administers and manages local, state, federal and private grants; and develops and implements multi-cultural strategies to improve county services. Kutty eared a master of arts degree with honors in anthropology from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor of arts degree with honors in anthropology and English from Macalester College. He is a member of the Office of Minority and Multicultural Health Advisory Committee, the United Way Agency Services Committee and the Association of Asian-Pacific Community Health Organizations. Kutty is reappointed as the Singaporean member of the council to fulfill a four-year term that ends January 4, 2010.

Nafzger, of Minneapolis, is a workforce development manager with Goodwill Easter Seals of Minneapolis/St. Paul. She works with several community programs to train, employ and retrain employees. She is also the founder of GOAL USA, a global overseas adoptee link that works with adoptee organizations and agencies in the Unites States to improve post adoption services. Nafzger is a member of the Asian Pacific Cultural Center and the former general manager for the St. Paul Dragon Festival and Dragon boat races. She has a bachelor of arts degree in social work, sociology and Native American Indian studies from Augsburg College. Nafzger is reappointed as the Korean member of the council to a four-year term that expires January 3, 2011.

The Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans advises the Governor and the legislature on issues encountered by Asian-Pacific people in Minnesota. The council is made up of 23 members, 19 are appointed by the Governor to represent the Asian-Pacific community.