Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Laura J. Schwartzwald and the reappointment of Ikram M. Huq to the Board of Pharmacy. Both are appointed to four-year terms that expire on January 6, 2014.

Huq, of Apple Valley, is the owner and chief executive officer of Omar Insurance Agency in Burnsville and Minneapolis, and is a co-owner and president of Ramdan Halal Meat Market and Groceries in Burnsville. Previously, he has been a post closer with GMAC, a finance administrator for Ceridian, and a contract employee for Wells Fargo and U.S. Bank. He was also the deputy director and controller of Sha Sha Training Center, a UNICEF-funded project in Iperu Ogun State, Nigeria, West Africa. Huq has master’s degrees in economics from Texas Tech University in Lubbock as well as from Bangalore University in Bangalore, India, an associate’s degree in information systems from Amarillo College, in Amarillo, Texas, and a diploma in business administration from Transworld College in the United Kingdom. He is a senior Imam and religious director of the Muslim Community Center in Bloomington, president of the Cosmos Cricket Club in Minnesota, and a member of the Minnesota Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans. Huq, who has been a member of the Board of Pharmacy since 2006, is reappointed as a public member.

Schwartzwald, of Aitkin, owns Arrowhead Pharmacy in Grand Marais and GuidePoint Pharmacy, with locations in Brainerd, Redwood Falls, Rochester and Worthington. A registered pharmacist, Schwartzwald has held staff pharmacist and pharmacy manager positions for a number of pharmacies in Minnesota and Wisconsin for 22 years. She earned her bachelor of science degree in pharmacy from North Dakota State University in Fargo. Schwartzwald is a member of the American and Minnesota Pharmacists Associations, is a pharmacy instructor with the University of Minnesota (U of M) College of Pharmacy, serves on the U of M’s Committee on Experiential Practice, mentors pharmacy students, organizes community clinics at local group homes and businesses, has developed and implemented diabetic care centers in pharmacies, and performs diabetic screenings at the Crow Wing County Fair. In 2007 and 2008 Schwartzwald received the “Community Preceptor of the Year”, an award given annually by the U of M College of Pharmacy to a candidate who exemplifies exceptional practice in the pharmacy profession. Schwartzwald replaces Gary Schneider on the Board of Pharmacy as a pharmacist member.

The Board of Pharmacy is responsible for licensing and disciplining pharmacists. The board also inspects and licenses all pharmacies, drug wholesalers, and drug manufacturers. The board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor.