Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Nicholas Juarez, Alma Garay-Lehn, Jose Lizano, Michael Rosario, and the reappointment of Teresa Dawson to the Chicano-Latino Affairs Council.

Juarez, of West St. Paul, is an asset protection specialist for Target Corporation. In addition to his duties with Target, Juarez works with a number of community organizations and outreach programs. He is an on-call crime victim crisis specialist for the Council on Crime and Justice in Minneapolis and a member of the West St. Paul City Council. Juarez was recognized by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Minnesota as one of the “25 on the Rise” Hispanic leaders in Minnesota. Juarez obtained his bachelor of arts degree in legal assistance and political science from Hamline University. Juarez is appointed as the member representing the fourth congressional district to fulfill a term that ends January 7, 2008. He replaces Alexandra Nelson on the council.

Garay-Lehn, of White Bear Lake, is a senior planning analyst with the Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department. She has held a number of community-related positions for the state including the Civil Rights Commissioner for the city of Minneapolis and the chairperson for the Minnesota Office of Ombudsperson. She was a member of Governor Carlson’s Education Initiative and a member of the Minnesota Department of Education School Desegregation Committee. Garay-Lehn has been a Ramsey County foster parent for Latino adolescents for the last nine years and has worked actively with the Latino community for the past 35 years. She holds a masters degree in elementary education from National Autonomous University de Nicaragua-Managua and a bachelor of arts degree in business administration and an associate degree in international trade from Anoka-Ramsey Community College. Garay-Lehn is appointed as an at-large member to a four-year term that expires January 3, 2011. She replaces Juan Lazo on the council.

Lizano, of Apple Valley, is a senior segment manager in multicultural banking with U.S. Bank. He manages a number of projects, develops relationships with international partners, and manages national accounts. Lizano is a member of the Boy Scouts of America Latino Board Council and a former member of the Hispanic Affairs Mayor’s Council in Charlotte, North Carolina. Lizano received a master of arts degree in marketing from the Universidad Latin in San Juan, Costa Rica, a master of business administration degree from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, and an associates degree in liberal arts from Triton College in River Grove, Illinois. Lizano is appointed as the member representing the second congressional district to a four-year term that ends January 3, 2011. He replaces Omar Salas on the council.

Rosario, of Woodbury, has worked for the Ramsey County Community Corrections Department for the past 23 years. He has worked for the juvenile system as a correctional counselor and currently works as a probation officer, supervising a caseload for Spanish-speaking clients. He is an active member of the Minnesota Literacy Council and for the past year has taught English as a second language for adults. Rosario is appointed as the member representing the sixth congressional district to a four-year term that ends January 3, 2011. He replaces Heladio Zavala on the council.

Dawson, of Duluth, is the head librarian at Marshall School in Duluth. She is a current member and the vice chair of the Chicano-Latino Affairs Council. In addition to service on the council, she is a board member of the Arrowhead Library System, appointed by the St. Louis County Board of Commissioners, and a member of both the American and Minnesota Library Associations. Dawson holds a master of arts degree in information media from Saint Cloud State University and a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph.

The Chicano-Latino Affairs Council advises the Governor and the state legislature on the issues of importance to Minnesota's Chicano Latino community. The council is made up a 15 member board, 11 members are appointed by the Governor