~ Howard Stewart named Chair of the Commission ~

Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Jennifer Byers, and the reappointment of Judy Frisch, Howard “Chub” Stewart, and Stuart Voigt to the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission (MASC). All four are appointed to three-year terms that expire on January 2, 2012.

Byers, of Elko, is vice president for external and public relations with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. She has been with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce since 1991, and previously was president of the Stillwater Area Chamber of Commerce, and served on the staff of the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce. Byers earned her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Minnesota. Her community activities include volunteering with the Lakeville Hockey and Baseball Associations and her church. Byers replaces Howard Stewart as a member of the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission.

Frisch, of Moorhead, is self-employed in a specialty/logo business, and has 10 years of accounting experience. Frisch has volunteered in amateur athletics in the Moorhead area for over 30 years. She has been actively involved with the United States Figure Skating Association, Moorhead Youth Hockey Association, Moorhead Amateur Sports Commission, and the Star of the North State Games. Frisch, who has been a member of the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission since 2000, is reappointed as a member of the commission.

Stewart, of Rochester, is a retired executive with the IBM Corporation in Rochester, and past chair of the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners. He earned his master’s – as well as his bachelor’s – degrees from the University of Minnesota. Stewart was one of the founding organizers and a past president of the Rochester Amateur Sports Commission, sports co-chair of the 1992 Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics, and chair of the 1990 Star of the North State Games in Rochester. Stewart, who has been a member of the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission since 1991 and is currently vice-chair, replaces B. T. “Tom” Duffy as chair.

Voigt, of Apple Valley, is president of Ramco, a real estate management company. He played professional football for 11 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, was a Vikings radio broadcaster for 20 years, and has served Minnesota Chapter of the NFL Alumni Association Board of Directors. He is also active with the Taste of the NFL charity, Make-a-Wish Foundation, the Ataxia Foundation, the YMCA, and has served on the boards of directors of a number of banks and financial institutions. Voigt, who has been a member of the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission since 2003, is reappointed as a member of the commission.

The Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission supports the National Sports Center in Blaine, the amateur sports associations in the state and creates tourism through promoting amateur sports events, including the Star of the North State Games. The commission consists of 16 members, including 10 appointed by the Governor.