Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Heidi Nordin and Alison Wolbeck to the State Advisory Council on Mental Health.

Nordin, of Eagan, is a manager with US Bank’s Network Operations Center in St. Paul. Previously, she has held positions as a PC network development supervisor with the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut, a help desk representative with IBM Global Services in Minneapolis and Southbury, Connecticut, and a customer service representative with First Bank Systems in St. Paul. Nordin has an associate of applied science degree in computer and voice networking from Alexandria Technical College and is currently pursuing her bachelor of science degree in management information systems at Metropolitan State University. Nordin volunteers with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) office in St. Paul where she serves on its legislative committee and was its 2007 Office Volunteer of the Year. Nordin replaces Eileen Stack on the State Advisory Council on Mental Health as the NAMI–Minnesota representative to complete a four-year term that expires on January 2, 2012.

Wolbeck, of Moorhead, is a surgery recovery assistant as well as a shelter assistant with Minn-Kota PAAWS Project in Fargo, North Dakota. Previously, she was an over-the-road truck driver and had taken some general education courses at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. Wolbeck co-chairs the Moorhead Adult Mental Health Local Advisory Council and serves on the the Becker, Clay, Otter Tail, Wilkin (BCOW) Mental Health Initiative Steering Committee and the BCOW Mental Health Initiative Education Subcommittee. Wolbeck replaces Barbara Holcomb on the State Advisory Council on Mental Health as a consumer member to complete a four-year term that expires on January 3, 2011.

The State Advisory Council on Mental Health advises the Governor, legislature and state agencies on the policies, programs and services affecting people with mental illness. The council consists of 30 members appointed by the Governor.