Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Francisco Morales and Rebeca Sedarski; and the reappointment of Adriana O’Meara to the Council on Affairs of Chicano/Latino People. All three are appointed to four-year terms that expire on January 6, 2014.

Morales, of Willmar, has worked as a liaison with the Willmar Public Schools since 1988, where his duties include supervising students, assisting staff with school activities and serving as a Spanish translator. He also owns Francisco’s Pico de Gallo, a salsa making business in Willmar. He took courses at Ridgewater College in Willmar. Morales replaces Sonia Hohnadel on the Chicano/Latino Affairs Council to a position for a resident of the Seventh Congressional District.

O’Meara, of Minnetonka, is a director of product development with UnitedHealth Group. Previously, she was the executive director of Anderi International, and a financial trader in the Emerging Markets/Latin American Division of Cargill, Inc., in Minnetonka. She has been honored by the Minnesota Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as one of the “25 On The Rise” Latin leaders. O’Meara earned her bachelor of arts degree in international relations and political economics from the University of Minnesota. O’Meara, who has been a member of the Chicano/Latino Affairs Council since 2006, is reappointed to a position for a resident of the Third Congressional District.

Sedarski, of Rochester, owns The Language Workshop for Children at Kids’ World in Rochester. Previously, she has been a Spanish medical translator with the Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association in Rochester, a sales associate with Macy’s and Dayton’s Department Store in Rochester, operated a home daycare, and a business trainee with the World Bank in Monterrey, Mexico. She earned a business degree from Winona State University and also attended Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey in Mexico. Sedarski replaces Elia Bruggeman on the Chicano/Latino Affairs Council to a position for a resident of the First Congressional District.

The Council on Affairs of Chicano/Latino People advises the Governor and Legislature on the issues of importance to Minnesota’s Hispanic community. The council also serves as a liaison between the Hispanic community and local, state and federal government. The council consists of 15 members, including 11 appointed by the Governor, and two members each from the state Senate and state House of Representatives.