Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Karl D. Abrahamson, Rebecca L. Ames, Steven Christenson, Jim Gander, Lawrence G. Justin, Kenneth Kammerer, James Kittelson, Allen J. Lamm, Michael McGowan, Rick Palmateer, John A. Parizek, and Paul A. Sullwold to the Plumbing Board.

Abrahamson, of St. Paul, is a foreman and journeyman plumber with McQuillan Brothers Plumbing and Heating, as well as a plumbing instructor at St. Paul College. Abrahamson is appointed to a position for a commercial/industrial journeyman plumber from the Twin Cities metropolitan area to a term that expires on December 31, 2011.

Ames, of St. Paul, is the city of Bloomington plumbing inspector with 17 years of experience as a master plumber in commercial, residential, and industrial plumbing. Ames is appointed to a position for a municipal plumbing inspector from the Twin Cities metropolitan area for a term that expires on December 31, 2010.

Christenson, of Sauk Rapids, is a licensed journeyman plumber and a plumbing instructor at St. Cloud Technical College. He has nearly 15 years of experience as a residential/commercial journeyman plumber. Christenson is appointed to a position for a commercial/industrial plumbing journeyman from outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area for a term that expires on December 31, 2010.

Gander, of Rochester, owns Superior Plumbing, Heating and Water Conditioning, a residential and commercial/industrial company with locations in Rochester, Edina, and Brainerd. Gander, a licensed master plumber and steamfitter, is appointed to a position for a commercial/industrial plumbing contractor from outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area for a term that expires on December 31, 2011.

Justin, of New Brighton, is a mechanical engineer with Wentz Associates, Inc. in Edina. He is a registered professional engineer, and certified in plumbing, engineering as well as a certified plumbing designer by the American Society of Plumbing Engineers. Justin is appointed to a position for a licensed professional engineer for a term that expires on December 31, 2011.

Kammerer, of Redwood Falls, is the certified building official for the cities of Redwood Falls and Olivia. He has worked in the plumbing industry for 27 years, and is a licensed master plumber, as well as an asbestos inspector. Kammerer is appointed to a position for a municipal plumbing inspector from outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area for a term that expires on December 31, 2011.

Kittelson, of Wanamingo, has owned Kittelson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. in Wanamingo since 1991, and was a manager and technician in the plumbing and heating department of Cenex in Wanamingo for 15 years prior to that. A licensed master plumber, Kittelson is appointed to a position for a residential plumbing contractor for a term that expires on December 31, 2010.

Lamm, of New Ulm, is the supervisor of the New Ulm Public Utilities Commission water and district energy department. He has been employed in the public water supply field for 35 years, and has been a superintendent for 27 years. Lamm is appointed to a position for a municipal public water supply system operator or superintendent for a term that expires on December 31, 2010.

McGowan, of Mankato, is vice president of McGowan Water Conditioning, Inc. in Mankato. McGowan Water Conditioning is a family-owned business established in 1955. He holds a water conditioning contractor license and is a certified water specialist with the National Water Quality Association. McGowan is appointed to a position for a water conditioning contractor for a term that expires on December 31, 2011.

Palmateer, of Brooklyn Center, is president of Universal Signs Inc., a St. Paul-based company that specializes in the manufacturing and installation of all types of signs. Palmateer is appointed to a public member position for a term that expires on December 31, 2010.

Parizek, of Prior Lake, is an instructor of state plumbing and mechanical codes with the Minneapolis Plumbers Joint Journeyman and Apprentice Training Committee, and is a licensed journeyman and master plumber as well as a master gasfitter, with over 12 years of experience as a journeyman plumber. Parizek is appointed to a position for a residential plumbing journeyman for a term that expires on December 31, 2011.

Sullwold, of Shakopee, is president of Minnesota Plumbing & Heating, Inc. (formerly Stein’s, Inc.) in Shakopee. He has been in the plumbing industry for over 40 years, and is a licensed journeyman and master plumber. Sullwold is appointed to a position for a commercial/industrial plumbing contractor from the Twin Cities metropolitan area for a term that expires on December 31, 2010.

The Plumbing Board, created by the 2007 Legislature, adopts the plumbing code that must be followed in Minnesota and any plumbing code amendments thereto; and adopts rules that regulate the licensure or registration of plumbing contractors, journeymen, apprentices, master plumbers, and other persons engaged in the design, installation, and alteration of plumbing systems. The board consists of 14 members, including the Commissioners of Labor and Industry and Health, and 12 members appointed by the Governor.