Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the reappointment of Laurie L. Esau to the Minnesota State High School League.

Esau, of Orono, is chief of staff to United States Congressman Erik Paulsen. She has more than 20 years of experience serving in a wide range of public policy positions, including chief of staff to the Minnesota House of Representatives minority leader, committee administrator to the chair of the House Government Operations Committee, as well as a number of roles with the Minnesota Department of Commerce. She is the mother of two children who are student athletes in the Orono School District, and is a member on the Orono Basketball Association board, where she has served as secretary the past five years. Esau replaces John Klinnert on the Minnesota State High School League and is appointed to a four-year term that expires on July 30, 2014.

The Minnesota State High School League is a voluntary, nonprofit association of more than 400 public and private schools. Member schools provide opportunities for more than 200,000 Minnesota high school students to participate in athletics and fine arts competitions each year. The League administers the state tournaments for athletics, speech, music, and dramatics.

The League provides support for member schools with programs that address sportsmanship, chemical health, and scholarship recognition. The League also oversees more than 4,500 registered contest officials and judges. The Board of Directors for the League consists of 20 members, including four appointed by the Governor.