Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Don Bellfield, Ronald Brandon, Martha Holton-Dimick, Lissa Jones, Gloria Lamphear, Charity McCoy, and George Ogbonna to the Council on Black Minnesotans.

Bellfield, of Minneapolis, is a staffing specialist for the Metropolitan Council. He provides technical support on human resources issues to managers and staff. Bellfield assists in developing recommendations for policy and procedures. Bellfield is active in his community and is a patron of the arts, particularly the Penumbra Theater Company. He is a participant in the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, Public Policy Program. Bellfield is appointed as an to a four year term that expires January 3, 2011. He replaces Felicia Brown on the council.

Brandon, of Golden Valley, is the coordinator of complaint investigations for the Department of Civil Rights in Minneapolis. He is an attorney, trained mediator, and is certified in mediation training and conflict resolution by the U.S. Department of Justice. Brandon received his bachelor of arts degree in history from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia, and his juris doctorate degree from Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston. Brandon is appointed to a four year term that expires January 3, 2011. He replaces Jeanette Taylor-Jones on the council.

Holton-Dimick, of Shorewood, is an assistant county attorney for Hennepin County in the adult prosecution division. As chief trial counsel, her duties include presenting cases to the grand jury for indictment and preparing and taking felony cases to trial. Holton-Dimick is an adjunct professor at William Mitchell College of Law. She has been a volunteer attorney for the Chrysalis Law Clinics and the Volunteer Lawyers Network. She is a member of the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers and Minnesota Women Lawyers Board of Directors. She is the former chair of the Minnesota Board on Judicial Standards. Holton-Dimick received her juris doctorate from Marquette University School of Law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is admitted to practice in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. Holton-Dimick is appointed to a four year term that expires January 3, 2011. She replaces Melanie Allen on the council.

Jones, of Minneapolis, is the chief executive officer and executive director of African American Family Services. The mission of African American Family Services is to help the African American individual, family and community reach a greater state of well-being through the delivery of community-based, culturally specific chemical health, mental health, and family preservation services. Jones is also a the former owner of the Center for Organizational Development. Jones earned her bachelor of science degree in international business from Minnesota State University in Mankato and is a certified facilitator in business and leadership. Jones is appointed to a four year term that expires January 3, 2011. She replaces Robert Jones on the council.

amphear, of St. Paul, is an employee and volunteer for Ramsey County Community Corrections. Currently, as community corrections worker in the county detention center, she supervises juvenile offenders in the detention work program. Lamphear's volunteer experience includes serving as a guardian ad litem, assistant family court officer and secretary for the Volunteers in Corrections (VIC) advisory board. In addition to her job with Ramsey County Lamphear is a cultural family liaison for the Storefront Group. The Storefront Group is a multi-faceted human service and mental health provider focused on promoting the positive growth and development of school-aged children and their families in the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs. Lamphear has a masters degree in public administration from Hamline University, and earned her bachelor of arts degree on organizational studies from Bethel College in St. Paul. Lamphear is appointed to complete a four year term that ends January 4, 2010. She replaces Jackie Johnson on the council.

McCoy, of St. Paul, is a service coordinator for DYMAX Services, Inc. in St. Paul. McCoy is a committee member on the University of St. Thomas African American Alumni Initiative and a former member of the board of directors of Minority Interchange-Minneapolis. She received her bachelor of arts degree in marketing management from Concordia University in St. Paul. McCoy is appointed to complete a four year term that ends January 4, 2010. She replaces Reginald Edwards on the council.

Ogbonna, of Andover, works for the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota. In his position as assistant to the division head, he is responsible for assessing the human resources needs of the division and matching staff to faculty support needs. He is experienced in human resources policies and best practices and effective problem solving. He was a 2006 policy fellow at the Herbert H. Humphrey Institute and a member of the Committee on Immigration & Higher Education in Minnesota. Ogbonna earned his masters of business administration and management information systems from Metro State University, his masters degree in public policy administration from the Humphrey Institute, and his bachelor of arts degree in finance from Augsburg College. Ogbonna is appointed to complete a four-year term that expires January 7, 2008. He replaces Debra Jacoway on the council. The Council on Black Minnesotans advises the Governor and legislature on issues of particular importance to black Minnesotans.

The Council is made up of 17 members, including 13 appointed by the Governor.