Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Dean Allen Barton, Jennifer DeJournett, Robert H. Gotwalt, Jr., Casey LaCore, Sakawdin Mohamed, James W. Pederson, Kera Peterson, Nathan Prouty, Megan M. Remark, and Penny Schefflerl; and the reappointment of Karen E. Anderson, William F. Arendt, Dr. Keith Dixon, Senator David Durenberger, Pamela M. Harris, Thomas F. Horner, and Martha Jones Sichko to the Minnesota Commission on National and Community Service, also known as the ServeMinnesota Commission.

Anderson, of Independence, is a management and fundraising consultant and has a wealth of experience working with non-profits. She has a masters degree in public affairs from the University of Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. Anderson, who has been a member of the ServeMinnesota Commission since 2007, is reappointed as a community member to a three-year term that expires on August 1, 2010.

Arendt, of Hutchinson, is retired and was previously chief financial officer with the KNW Group. He has a background in accounting, finance, and human resources in the printing and insurance industry. Arendt, who holds a CPA, is a member of the ServeMinnesota Commission Finance Committee and has been a member of the Commission since 2005. He is reappointed as a community member to a three-year term that expires on August 1, 2011.

Barton, of St. Paul Park, is a training analyst with Ameriprise Finance Services, Inc., in Minneapolis. He is also an instructor with the United States Soccer Federation, former district director with the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association, and served as a battalion diary chief in the United States Marine Corps. Barton replaces Joshua Downham on the ServeMinnesota Commission as a community member for a three-year term that expires on August 1, 2011.

DeJournett, of Maple Grove, is a structural engineer with Target Corporation in Minneapolis. She holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, and is an active volunteer in her community. DeJournett replaces Jackie Sinykin on the ServeMinnesota Commission as a representative of volunteers for a three-year term that expires on August 1, 2010.

Dixon, of Duluth, has been the superintendent of the Duluth Public Schools since 2005. Previously, he was the superintendent of schools in Faribault for 10 years, and was a former teacher, school counselor, and principal. Dixon holds a doctorate degree in educational administration, a master of education degree in guidance and counseling, and a bachelor of science degree from Colorado State University. Dixon, who has been a member of the ServeMinnesota Commission since 2003, is reappointed as a representative of youth development experts to another three-year term that expires on August 1, 2010.

Durenberger, of St. Paul, served in the United States Senate from 1979 until his retirement in 1995. He is the founder and current chair of the National Institute of Health Policy at the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business in Minneapolis, has served on numerous national health commissions and boards, and has authored books on health policy and national security policy. Durenberger, who has been a member of the ServeMinnesota Commission since 2002, is reappointed to another three-year term that expires on August 1, 2011.

Gotwalt, of Golden Valley, is vice president and senior consultant with Lee Hecht Harrison. He has extensive experience in human resources management and holds a master of divinity degree in counseling and theology from Waterloo Lutheran Seminary in Waterloo, Ontario Canada. Gotwalt replaces Duane Coleman as a community member on the ServeMinnesota Commission for a three-year term that expires on August 1, 2010.

Harris, of Falcon Heights, is an attorney and partner with the Martin and Squires law firm in St. Paul, and is a member of the Falcon Heights City Council. She earned her law degree cum laude from Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, and her bachelors degree magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota. Harris, who has been a member of the ServeMinnesota Commission since 2001 and is a former chair of the Commission, is appointed as a representative of local-elected officials to another three-year term that expires on August 1, 2010.

Horner, of Edina, is a founder and principal of Himle Horner, Inc., a public relations and public affairs firm, and was press secretary and chief of staff to former United States Senator David Durenberger. He earned his bachelors degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, and teaches masters courses in corporate communications and public affairs at St. Thomas. Horner, who has been a member of the ServeMinnesota Commission since 2003, is reappointed as a community member to another three-year term that expires on August 1, 2011.

LaCore, of Duluth, is executive pastor with Duluth Vineyard Church. Previously, she was the director of the University of Minnesota Duluth Office of Civic Engagement. Her community activities include serving on the University of Minnesota Council on Public Engagement, the Duluth YMCA Board of Directors, and the Retired Senior Volunteers Program. LaCore has a master of education and a bachelor of arts degree from UMD. LaCore replaces Bescye Burnett on the ServeMinnesota Commission as a representative of community-based organizations for a three-year term that expires on August 1, 2010.

Mohamed, of Burnsville, is a state program administrator with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety in St. Paul. Previously, he worked in the Fargo-Moorhead area integrating Somali refugees, and as a translator and interpreter. A Somali native, Mohamed is a Humphrey policy fellow, holds a master of science degree in community health services from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and a bachelor of science degree in economics and sociology from North Dakota State University in Fargo. Mohamed replaces Susan Taylor on the ServeMinnesota Commission as a community member for a three-year term that expires on August 1, 2010.

Pederson, of Plainview, is retired after working for 25 years as a nursing home administrator. He serves on the Plainview City Council, chairs the Board for Action Volunteers of Wabasha County, chairs the Plainview Area Health Resources Foundation Board, the Plainview Area Foundation Board, and is a member of the Plainview/Elgin/Millville Active Aging program. Pederson replaces G. H. “Jerry” Norsby on the ServeMinnesota Commission as a representative of older adults for a three-year term that expires on August 1, 2010.

Peterson, of St. Paul, is the community services liaison with the St. Paul Labor Studies and Resource Center. She is a member of the International Association of Machinists Capitol City Lodge 459, a member of the Minnesota AFL-CIO Community Services Education Committee, and served as vice president of the Twin Cities Coalition of Labor Union Women. She has a masters, bachelor of science, and bachelor of arts degrees from the University of Minnesota. Peterson replaces Harry Melander on the ServeMinnesota Commission as a representative of labor for a three-year term that expires on August 1, 2010.

Prouty, of Eagan, works in public relations with Public Affairs Company in St. Paul. Previously, he was a communications specialist with the Minnesota Department of Education, was a district field representative for former Congressman Mark Kennedy, and a legislative assistant in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Prouty holds a bachelor of science degree with honors from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Prouty replaces Daniel Wolter on the ServeMinnesota Commission as a community member for a three-year term that expires on August 1, 2010.

Remark, of Wayzata, is vice president of specialty care and clinic operations with HealthPartners Medical Group and Clinics in Minneapolis, and has nearly 20 years of experience in health care management and administration. Her community activities have included serving as a mentor, Girl Scout troop leader, and academic advisor with the University of Minnesota. Remark holds a masters degree in health care administration from the University of Minnesota, an MBA from the Carlson School of Management, and a bachelor of science degree from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Remark replaces Laura Harris on the ServeMinnesota Commission as a community member for a three-year term that expires on August 1, 2011.

Scheffler, of Redwood Falls, an enrolled member of the Lower Sioux Indian community, is a consultant on Tribal social service department program evaluation with an emphasis on the Indian Child Welfare Act. She is a former Tribal administrator, program administrator, and gaming commissioner with the Lower Sioux Indian community, and has over 20 years of experience addressing the needs of the American Indian community. A licensed social worker, Scheffler has a masters degree (University of Minnesota) and a bachelors degree (St. Olaf College in Northfield) in social work. Scheffler replaces Audrey Bennett on the ServeMinnesota Commission as a Tribal representative for a three-year term that expires on August 1, 2010.

Sichko, of Minneapolis, is vice president of corporate communications and public relations with UnitedHealth Group – Ovations, and an adjunct instructor with the University of Minnesota School of Journalism and Communications. She has a masters of public administration degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and a bachelors degree from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Sichko, who has been a member of the ServeMinnesota Commission since 2007, is reappointed as a community member to a three-year term that expires on August 1, 2011.

The Minnesota Commission on National and Community Service coordinates volunteer learning service programs, administers the youth works grant program as well as the federal Americorps program. The commission consists of 25 members, including 24 appointed by the governor, the Commissioner of Education plus four ex-officio legislative members.