Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Barbara A. Sanderson and the reappointment of Michael D. Finch to the Housing Finance Agency Board.

Sanderson, of Grand Rapids, is a freelance writer, consultant and facilitator. Her professional background in grant-writing and communications included serving as the public information director at Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids. Sanderson earned her bachelor of science degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She has been an active volunteer in the Grand Rapids community where she has served as a member and president of numerous organizations, including the Grand Rapids Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Itasca County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Itasca County Habitat for Humanity, Grand Rapids Human Rights Commission, and Grand Rapids Public Library Board. She was also a member of the Grand Rapids City Council, and was named “Citizen of the Year” in 2004 by the Grand Rapids Herald-Review. Sanderson replaces Tony Goulet on the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Board to complete a four-year term that expires on January 2, 2012.

Finch, of Minneapolis, is a principal with the firm of Finch and King, Inc., in Minneapolis. He is also an adjunct associate professor with the University of Minnesota (U of M) School of Public Health, and an adjunct associate professor in the Department of Finance of the U of M Carlson School of Business. Finch is a past president of the National Association of State Housing Boards, and past chair of the Healthier Minnesota Community Clinic Fund Board. He earned his doctor of philosophy and master of arts degrees from the U of M and his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Western Washington in Bellingham. Finch, who has been a member of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Board since 1994 and chair since 1995, is reappointed chair for another four-year term that expires on January 6, 2014.

The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency provides housing for low and moderate-income persons. The agency consists of seven members, including six public members appointed by the Governor.