Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Connie Mei Ledford, Hue Danny Lee, and Tsewang Ngodup, M.D.; and the reappointment of Eleasalo “Salo” Ale, Ikram M. Huq, Ananda S. Liyanapathiranage, and Wilfred Tun Baw to the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans.

Ale, of Hopkins, is partner in with the Faegre and Benson law firm in Minneapolis and has been an attorney with the firm since 1995. Ale earned his law degree from Drake University Law School in Des Moines and his bachelor of arts degree from Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville. Originally from American Samoa, he is a member of the Samoan Association of Minnesota and the Pacific Islands Center for Educational Development Board of Directors. Ale, who has been a member of the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans since 2003 and is currently chair, is reappointed as a Samoan member of the Council to another four-year term that expires 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. 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, Huq, who has been a member of the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans since 2006, is reappointed as a Pakistani member of the council to another four-year term that expires on January 6, 2014.

Ledford, of St. Paul, was a sales and marketing executive for U.S. and Canadian-based companies in South Asia, including Tiens Health Development (Tianshi), Lifestyle International, Measat Broadcast Network Systems, Avon Malaysia, and Aseania Resorts. Ledford earned her bachelor of science degree in business administration as well as a bachelor’s degree in general studies in economics from the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Ledford replaces Lina Jau on the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans as a Malaysian member of the Council, and is appointed to complete a four-year term that expires on January 7, 2013.

Lee, of Oakdale, is a business analyst with Blue Cross Blue Shield in Eagan as well as a realtor with Real Estate Masters in Little Canada. Lee earned his bachelor of arts degree from Metropolitan State University in Minneapolis after attending California State University in Chico. He chairs Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Asiancircle (employee resource group), and was president of the Hmong Students Association of California State University. Lee replaces Bee Lee on the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans as a Hmong member of the council, and is appointed to complete a four-year term that expires on January 2, 2012.

Liyanapathiranage, of Woodbury, is an IT project manager with the Minnesota Department of Human Services and held a variety of positions with the State of Minnesota over the past 21 years. A Bush Leadership Fellow Liyanapathiranage earned his master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute, his bachelor of Liberal Arts degree from the University of Sri Lanka, and a diploma in accounting from St. Paul Technical College. He co-founded the Minnesota Sri Lanka Friendship Foundation, is a member of the St. Paul Foundation Asian Pacific Endowment, and the Asian Pacific Cultural Center. Liyanapathiranage, who has been a member of the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans since 1996, is reappointed as a Sri Lankan member of the council to another four-year term that expires on January 7, 2013.

Ngodup, of Bloomington, is a faculty physician as well as the director of nursing home curriculum with the Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) Department of Family Medicine, the associate medical director of the Golden Living Chateau Health Care Center in Minneapolis, and associate medical director with Asera Center Care Hospice in Bloomington. Ngodup is licensed by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice, certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, and is a member of numerous professional associations. He is president of the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota. Ngodup replaces Wangyal Ritzekura on the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans as a Tibetan member of the council, and is appointed to complete a four-year term that expires on January 7, 2013.

Tun Baw, of St. Paul, is a project manager with the Karen Support Project at the Vietnamese Social Services of Minnesota. Tun Baw graduated from the Rangoon Arts and Science University and was an elementary teacher in Burma before immigrating to St. Paul from Thailand. He chairs the Karen Community of Minnesota. Tun Baw, who has been a member of the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans since 2008, is reappointed as a Burmese member to fulfill a four-year term that expires January 7, 2013.

The Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans advises the Governor and the legislature on issues encountered by Asian-Pacific people in Minnesota. The council consists of 23 members, 19 are appointed by the Governor to represent the Asian-Pacific community.