Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of 16 members, including three new appointees, to the Metropolitan Council. The Governor’s new appointees are Kirstin Beach, Sherry Broecker, and Brian Lundquist. They join Richard Aguilar, Georgeanne Hilker, Peggy Leppik, Brian McDaniel, Annette Meeks, Tony Pistilli, Kris Sanda, Roger Scherer, Mary Hill Smith, Natalie Haas Steffen, Russell Susag, Lynette Wittsack, and Daniel Wolter. All 16 members are appointed to four-year terms – co-terminus with the Governor’s – that expire on January 3, 2011. Earlier this year the Governor announced the reappointment of Peter Bell as chair of the Metropolitan Council.

Aguilar, of West St. Paul, is president and CEO of Aguilar Marketing Productions, which produces conferences and events focused on multicultural markets. He has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since 2003, and serves on its Transportation and Community Development Committees. Aguilar is reappointed to Council District 13.

Beach, of St. Paul, is the senior executive assistant to the chief financial officer at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a position she has held since 2002. She serves on the child care committee for St. Paul’s Childhood Center; is a board member and treasurer for the Center for Parental Responsibility, a 501(c)3 organization that helps non-custodial parents be fully and equally involved in the lives of their children; and is a church council member and women’s Bible study teacher at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Paul. Beach replaces Song Lo Fawcett on the Metropolitan Council in District 14.

Broecker, of Forest Lake, is a member of the Forest Lake Planning Commission, served three terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1995 through 2000, and was a member of the Vadnais Heights City Council from 1987 through 1994. A small business owner and sales consultant with Bachman’s, Broecker is also a member of the Minnesota Zoological Board of Directors, past chair of the Department of Corrections Planning Group, and a past member of the Youth Services Bureau of Forest Lake, and the Minnesota Compensation Council. Broecker replaces Chris Georgacas on the Metropolitan Council in District 12.

Hilker, of White Bear Lake, is the assistant to the Commissioner of Iron Range Resources. She has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since 2003 and serves on its Transportation and Environment Committees. Hilker is reappointed to Council District 11.

Leppik, of Golden Valley, served six terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives. She has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since March 2003, and currently chairs its Environment Committee. Leppik is reappointed to Metropolitan Council District Six.

Lundquist, of Chanhassen, is the director of manufacturing for plant optimization, mergers and acquisitions with Con Agra Foods, a position he has held since June 2006. He previously held plant manager and operations business manager positions with Con Agra’s Store Brands Division. Lundquist was an elected member of the Chanhassen City Council from 2002 to 2006, and also served on the city’s Economic Development Authority during that time. He is a member of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Transportation and Labor Policy Advisory Committee, Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee, and served on its Board of Directors. Lundquist replaces Julius Smith on the Metropolitan Council in District Four.

McDaniel, of Apple Valley, is the director of government affairs with the Department of Employment and Economic Development. He has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since 2003, and serves on its Community Development and Transportation Committees. McDaniel is reappointed to Council District 16.

Meeks, of Minneapolis, is founder and president of the Freedom Foundation of Minnesota. She has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since March 2003, is vice-chair of the Community Development Committee, and a member of the Transportation Committee. Meeks is reappointed to Council District Seven.

Pistilli, of Brooklyn Park, is the chief retail appraiser and vice president of consumer banking risk management with U.S. Bank. He has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since March 2003, and serves on its Community Development and Management Committees. Pistilli is reappointed to Metropolitan Council District Two.

Sanda, of Blaine, has had a long career in public service, serving in the administration of five Minnesota Governors. She has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since 2005, and serves on its Management and Community Development Committees. Sanda is reappointed to Metropolitan Council District 10.

Scherer, of Plymouth, is the retired president and chairman of the board of Scherer Bros. Lumber Company. He previously served on the Metropolitan Council from 1980 to 1984, again from 1992 to 1998 and since 2003. Scherer, who chairs the Management Committee and is a member of the Environment Committee, is reappointed to Council District One.

Smith, of Wayzata, is very active in civic and community affairs. She has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since 1993, chairs its Transportation Committee, and serves on its Management Committee. Smith is reappointed to Metropolitan Council District Three.

Steffen, of Ramsey, has previously served as a member of the Ramsey City Council, commissioner of the Department of Human Services, and an Anoka County Commissioner. She has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since 1999, and serves on its Transportation and Community Development Committees. Steffen is reappointed to Council District Nine.

Susag, of Richfield, retired as the director of environmental regulatory affairs with 3M. He has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since March 2003, is vice-chair of the Environment Committee, and a member of the Transportation Committee. Susag is reappointed to Council District Five.

Wittsack, of Minneapolis, is a stay-at-home mother with three children. She has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since March 2003, chairs its Audit Committee, and is a member of the Management and Environment Committees. Wittsack is reappointed to Council District Eight.

Wolter, of Eagan, is the director of University of Minnesota’s University News Service. He has been a member of the Metropolitan Council since 2005, and serves on its Transportation and Environment Committees. Wolter is reappointed to Council District 15.

The Metropolitan Council coordinates planning and development in the seven county metropolitan area and directly operates several regional services. The Metropolitan Council consists of 16 metropolitan citizens appointed from geographically defined districts in the seven county metropolitan area and a chair. All 17 members are appointed by the Governor to four-year terms that are co-terminus with the governor.