Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of James J. Andrie, Robert R. Bastianelli, Therese M. Bozicevich, Patrick Galatz, Mark Geisenhoff, David H. Grong, Maureen Hanson, Larry C. Jordan, Mark R. Kincs, Margaret “Peg” Larsen, Vicki Sandberg, and Larry Stevens, Jr. to the Board of High Pressure Piping Systems.

Andrie, of Paynesville, is vice president of construction and safety director with American Industrial Refrigeration in Atwater. He previously held positions as a construction/project manager and service manager with the company, and has a Minnesota state master electrician license as well as a contracting pipefitter license. Andrie is appointed to a position for a high pressure piping contractor from outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area for a term that expires on December 31, 2011.

Bastianelli, of Duluth, is a senior mechanical engineer and manager of quality control for Minnesota Power’s Boiler Repair and Welding Program. He was previously a mechanical engineer with Minnesota Power, as well as with LTV Steel Mining, and the University of Minnesota – Duluth (UMD) Natural Resources Institute. He earned an MBA from UMD, and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and mining engineering from the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities. Bastianelli is appointed to a position for a professional mechanical engineer for a term that expires on December 31, 2010.

Bozicevich, of Champlin, is a journeyman pipefitter and certified welder currently employed by Egan Companies at the University of Minnesota. She is trained in orbital and TIG welding through Local 539 Pipe Fitters journeyman classes, and is an apprenticeship instructor in drafting and blueprint review. Bozicevich is appointed to a position for a high pressure piping journeyman from the Twin Cities metropolitan area for a term that expires on December 31, 2011.

Galatz, of Hibbing, is a steamfitter in Virginia, and has been a foreman on piping projects as well as a high pressure piping instructor. He is licensed as a high pressure journeyman and a high pressure contracting pipefitter. Galatz is appointed to a position for a high pressure piping journeyman from outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area for a term that expires on December 31, 2010.

Geisenhoff, of Lake Elmo, is the manager and chief inspector of the fixed equipment reliability group at Flint Hills Resources at the Pine Bend refinery. He has 27 years of experience in the industry, and is a certified inspector by the American Petroleum Institute. Geisenhoff is appointed to a position for a representative of industrial companies that use high pressure piping systems in their industrial process for a term that expires on December 31, 2010.

Grong, of Marshall, is employed by Carlson and Stewart Refrigeration, Inc. in Marshall and served as company president from 1988 to 2006. He is a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers; and the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration, where he chaired the piping committee, and is immediate past chairman of the board of directors. Grong is appointed to a position for a high pressure piping contractor from outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area for a term that expires on December 31, 2010.

Hanson, of Woodbury, has been a pipefitter with the city of St. Paul for 23 years and a mechanical inspector for eight years. She has been a licensed pipefitter in Minnesota for 25 years, and earned her degree in pipefitting from St. Paul Technical College. Hanson is appointed to a position for a high pressure piping inspector for a term that expires on December 31, 2011.

Jordan, of Brooklyn Park, is a project manager and has been an owner of New Mech Companies, Inc. He has served on the boards of directors of the St. Paul Apprenticeship Board Local 455; Sheet Metal, Air Conditioning and Roofing Contractors Association, of which he has been president; Minnesota Mechanical Contractors Association, where he was also president. Jordan, who holds a high pressure steam license, is appointed to a position for a high pressure piping contractor from the Twin Cities metropolitan area for a term that expires on December 31, 2010.

Kincs, of Shakopee, is the principal production engineer with the metals and materials resources group of Xcel Energy Services, Inc., a position he has held since 2001. He was a senior engineer with Enbridge Inc. in Duluth from 1988 to 2001. He is a registered professional mechanical engineer as well as a certified welding inspector with the American Welding Society, and is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the American Society for Materials. Kincs is appointed to a position for a representative of a Minnesota utility company for a term that expires on December 31, 2010.

Larsen, of Lakeland, is a lobbyist and president of RCS Consulting, as well as a member of the Lakeland City Council, where she also previously served from 1987 to 1990. She served three terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1995 through 2000, and was Lakeland mayor from 1991 to 1994. Larsen is appointed to a position for a public member for a term that expires on December 31, 2010.

Sandberg, of Brooklyn Park, is the director of employment services with the Minnesota Mechanical Contractors Association, a position she has held since 2001. She was an assistant chapter manager with the National Electrical Contractors Association from 1991 to 2001. Sandberg is appointed to a position for a representative of the high pressure piping industry for a term that expires on December 31, 2011.

Stevens, of Woodbury, is a project manager with Pioneer Power, Inc. in St. Paul, a position he has held since 1998. Previously, he was a pipefitter general foreman, journeyman pipefitter, and an apprentice with Pioneer Power. He holds a state licensed as a high pressure steam contractor, and graduated from St. Paul Technical College as a journeyman pipefitter. Stevens is appointed a high pressure piping contractor from the Twin Cities metropolitan area for a term that expires on December 31, 2011.

The Board of High Pressure Piping Systems, created by the 2007 Legislature, adopts the high pressure piping code that must be followed in the state and any amendments thereto; reviews requests for final interpretations and issue final interpretations; adopts rules – with the exception of rule regulating continuing education – regulating the licensure or registration of high pressure piping contactors, journeymen, and other persons engaged in the design, installation, and alteration of high pressure piping systems; and advises the Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry regarding educational requirements for high pressure piping inspectors. The board consists of 13 members, including the Commissioner of Labor and Industry and 12 members appointed by the Governor.