Saint Paul - Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Joseph H. Kalkman, Eric Nesheim, and Edward Reynoso, and the reappointment of Maureen “Mo” J. Amundson, Sharon Bredeson, Steven Ditschler, Dr. Rollie Morud, Dr. Mary L. Nichols, and Terry Smith to the Governor's Workforce Development Council (GWDC).

Amundson, of Rochester, owns Education-To-Careers, and educational consulting firm to the Rochester Public Schools and Rochester Community and Technical College. Her previous professional activities include serving as executive director for non-profit organization with the Rochester Community Learning and Business Partnership and coordinator of the career awareness program for Rochester Public Schools. Amundson holds a bachelor of science degree from Winona State University and an associate of arts degree from Rochester Community and Technical College. Amundson, who has been a member of the GWDC since 2006, is reappointed as a representative of secondary or post-secondary vocational institutions to another three-year term that expires on June 30, 2012.

Bredeson, of Minneapolis, is the owner and chief executive officer of Staff-Plus, Inc., a company specializing in personnel services to businesses that she founded in 1973. She chairs the Minneapolis Workforce Council’s Dislocated Workers Program, is a member and past chair of the boards of directors of the Greater Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Bureau (Meet Minneapolis) and the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota, and serves on the University of Minnesota Athletic Department Advisory Board. Bredeson, who has been a member of the GWDC since 2003, is reappointed as a representative of business to another three-year term that expires on June 30, 2012.

Ditschler, of Eagan, is the chief executive officer of Pro-Act, Inc., a private, non-profit human services organization that provides a variety of services to people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. He chairs the Minnesota State Rehabilitation Council, National Coalition of State Rehabilitation Councils, and the Minnesota Non-profit Employers Workers’ Compensation Fund. He also serves on the Dakota-Scott Workforce Investment Board, Dakota Futures, Inc. Board, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, and a number of regional chambers.

Ditschler holds master of arts and bachelor of science degrees from Minnesota State University – Mankato. Ditschler, who has been a member of the GWDC since 2006 and chaired its Diversity Action Committee, is reappointed as a representative of community-based organizations to another three-year term that expires on June 30, 2012.

Kalkman, of Eagan, is a senior director of human resources with Best Buy Co., Inc. in Richfield. He has held a number of human resources positions with Best Buy during his nearly eight years with the company. He has also held positions within and outside human resources with Northwest Airlines, Inc., in Eagan, and Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan. Kalkman was a finalist for the 2009 Minnesota Father of the Year award, is a trustee with the Minnesota Zoo Foundation Board where he served on the Executive Committee, and is active in his church and community. Kalkman holds a master of arts degree in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota, and a bachelor of arts degree from St. John’s University in Collegeville. Kalkman replaces Jeffrey Johnson on the GWDC as a representative of business and industry to complete a three-year term that expires on June 30, 2010.

Morud, of Bemidji, is a consultant in workplace productivity of the aging baby-boomer population. His professional background includes positions as assistant commissioner with the Minnesota Department of Education, superintendent of schools in Bemidji, Dickinson, North Dakota and New Town, North Dakota. He began his career in education as a math teacher and reading program evaluator with the West Fargo (North Dakota) public schools. Morud has served as a member of the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, Minnesota Association of School Administrators Executive Development Committee, and a number of civic organizations in his community. Morud earned his doctor of education degree from the University of North Dakota. Morud, who has been a member of the GWDC since 2007, is reappointed as a representative of school-based service learning to a three-year term that expires on June 30, 2012.

Nesheim, of St. Paul, is the executive director of the Minnesota Literacy Council. He has held a number of positions with the Minnesota Literacy Council for 18 years, and has been executive director since 2000. He is past president of the St. Paul Community Literacy Consortium Board, past president of the Literacy Minnesota Executive Board, and has been a member of the Minnesota Community Education Association Legislative Committee, Governor’s Council for Reading Excellence, and a number of civic and community organizations. Nesheim holds a masters degree in international management from the University of St. Thomas School of Business, and a bachelor of arts degree from Concordia College in Moorhead. Nesheim replaces Kathleen Carney on the GWDC as a representative of community-based organizations for a three-year term that expires on June 30, 2012.

Nichols, of Minneapolis, is the Dean of continuing education at the University of Minnesota, (U of M) a position she has held since 2001. She is also a professor of strategic management and organization at the Carlson School of Management, and has been a U of M faculty member since 1975. Nichols earned her doctorate in organization and administration, her master of business administration, master of science in organization and administration, and her bachelor of arts degrees from the University of Kansas. She taught in the Carlson Executive Education Center, served as faculty director of the Minnesota Management Academy for front-line managers, and as director of the Strategic Management Research Center.

Nichols, who has been a member of the GWDC since 2003, is reappointed as a representative of the University of Minnesota to another three-year term that expires on June 30, 2012.

Reynoso, of Ham Lake, is the new political director of the Teamsters Joint Council 32 in Minneapolis. Teamsters Joint Council 32 represents 62,000 active and retired members of the Teamsters Union in the State of Minnesota. He has been a field representative with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, was on the executive board of Teamsters Local 63 in Southern California, and is a 27-year member of the Teamsters. He is also a member of the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council. Reynoso replaces Don Gerdesmeier on the GWDC as a labor representative for a three-year term that expires on June 30, 2012.

Smith, of Forest Lake, is a master journeyman furniture refinisher and a 35-year member of the Teamsters Local 638. He is a member of the Minnesota State Rehabilitation Council, has served as mayor of Forest Lake, a member of the Forest Lake City Council, a member of the Forest Lake Planning Commission, and a member of the State Board of Technical Colleges, where he served as president in 1995, during the board’s transition to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board. Smith, who has been a member of the GWDC since 2003, is reappointed as a labor representative to another three-year term that expires on June 30, 2012.

The Governor's Workforce Development Council coordinates the development, implementation, and evaluation of the statewide education and employment transitions system and Minnesota youth services programs. The council consists of 32 members, including 28 appointed by the Governor.