Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Dave Beal and Corey R. Elmer, and the reappointment of Jennifer DeJournett, Keith Dixon, Ph.D., Robert H. Gotwalt, Jr., Pamela M. Harris, Kate Kelly, Cal Larson, David Metzen, Ed.D., Sakawdin Mohamed, Kera Peterson, Nathan Prouty, Robert Rumpza, Judie Russell, and Christine Wiegert to the Minnesota Commission on National and Community Service, also known as the ServeMinnesota Commission. All 15 are appointed to three-year terms that expire on August 1, 2013.

Beal, of Rochester, is the vice president for communication and advocacy with the United Way of Olmsted County, and has primary responsibilities in public policy, crisis and critical communications and plays a major role in community engagement and mobilization. Previously, he has held faculty positions in communications with a number of colleges, and was also a communications and marketing consultant. Beal earned his master’s degree in communication theory from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and his bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in Athens. Beal replaces Kelly Norri on the ServeMinnesota Commission as a representative of a community-based organization.

DeJournett, of Maple Grove, has a professional background as a structural engineer with Target Corporation in Minneapolis, Stanley Consultants, Inc., in Minneapolis, and Ceco Building Systems in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. DeJournett earned her bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Her volunteer activities have included Meals on Wheels, Independent School District 279 Fiscal Team and Strategic Plan Results Committee, and the Brooklyn Park Budget and Human Relations Commissions. DeJournett, who has been a member of the ServeMinnesota Commission since 2009, is reappointed as a representative of volunteers.

Dixon, of Duluth, has been the superintendent of the Duluth Public Schools since 2005. Previously, he was the superintendent of schools in Faribault for 10 years, and was a former teacher, school counselor, and principal. Dixon holds a doctorate degree in educational administration, a master of education degree in guidance and counseling, and a bachelor of science degree from Colorado State University. Dixon has volunteered for a number of community civic groups, and has been a presenter on facilitating change and building community at numerous Minnesota School Boards Association and Minnesota Association of School Administrators conferences. Dixon, who has been a member of the ServeMinnesota Commission since 2003, is reappointed as a representative of youth development experts.

Elmer, of Moorhead, is an attorney with the Vogel law firm in Moorhead and Fargo, North Dakota, and serves as legal counsel to numerous small and large businesses, non-profit organizations, local governments, and educational institutions. Elmer earned his law degree cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, and his bachelor of arts degrees summa cum laude from Moorhead State University, as well as with honours from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. His community activities include serving on the Moorhead Rotary Club, Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation, and Minnesota State University – Moorhead Alumni Foundation. Elmer replaces Karen Anderson on the ServeMinnesota Commission as a community member.

Gotwalt, of Golden Valley, is vice president, director of professional services, and senior consultant with Lee Hecht Harrison. He has extensive experience in human resources management, previously serving as area vice president and district general manager with DBM, director of professional staffing with AXA Advisors, human resources and development manager with Target Stores in Minneapolis, and human resources manager with Bradlees, Inc. in Edison, New Jersey. Gotwalt earned his master of divinity degree in counseling and theology from Waterloo Lutheran Seminary in Waterloo, Ontario Canada, and his bachelor of arts degree in Latin from Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Gotwalt, who has been a member of the ServeMinnesota Commission since 2009, is reappointed as a community member.

Harris, of Falcon Heights, is an attorney and partner with the Martin and Squires law firm in St. Paul, where she practices in labor and employment law. She has also been a member of the Falcon Heights City Council since 2005. Harris earned her law degree cum laude from Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, and her bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota. She is a member of the Friends of Ramsey County Libraries Board of Directors, secretary of the Roseville Rotary Board of Directors, and secretary of the Rasmussen Foundation. Harris, who has been a member of the ServeMinnesota Commission since 2001 and is a former chair of the Commission, is reappointed as a representative of local-elected officials.

Kelly, of Plymouth, is the president and chief executive officer of Minnesota Bank & Trust in Edina. She has 25 years of experience in the banking industry, and previously held positions as region president and wealth management director at Bremer Bank in St. Paul, and a number of positions with U.S. Bancorp in Minneapolis. Kelly earned her master of business administration degree in finance from the University of Minnesota and her bachelor of arts degree from the St. Catherine University in St. Paul. She is a parent volunteer with Benilde-St. Margaret High School in St. Louis Park, and serves on its Advancement Committee. Kelly, who has been a member of the ServeMinnesota Commission since 2007, is reappointed as a business representative.

Larson, of Fergus Falls, served as a member of the Minnesota Senate from 1987 through 2006, and previously was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1967 through 1974. He currently serves on the Seaway Port Authority of Duluth, and has represented Minnesota on the Great Lakes Commission for 12 years. He has also served on the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission, Minnesota State Capitol 2005 Commission, Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission, was chair of the Concordia College Board of Regents, and was president of the Fergus Falls Rotary Club. Larson earned his bachelors degree from Concordia College Moorhead, and served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. Larson, who has been a member of the ServeMinnesota Commission since 2009, is reappointed as a representative of older adults.

Metzen, of Sunfish Lake, is the director of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. He is a past two-term member of the University of Minnesota Board of Regents and was chair of the Board of Regents from 2003-05. He was the South St. Paul School District superintendent from 1982-2000 and was previously an elementary school teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent specializing in curriculum in the district. Metzen earned his doctorate of education degree as well as his master’s degree in educational administration, and his bachelor of science degree from the University of Minnesota. In addition to his education roles, he served as executive director of the Dodge Nature Center, has worked as a leadership consultant, and has served on several non-profit boards. Metzen, who has been a member of the ServeMinnesota Commission since 2009, is reappointed as a representative of higher education.

Mohamed, of Burnsville, is a budget and data analyst with the Minnesota Department of Health Division of Compliance Monitoring. Previously, he was a state program administrator with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety in St. Paul, a social worker and program coordinator with Blue Earth County Public Health, and worked in the Fargo-Moorhead area integrating Somali refugees, and as a translator and interpreter. A Somali native, Mohamed is a Humphrey policy fellow, earned his master of science degree in community health services from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and his bachelor of science degree in economics and sociology from North Dakota State University in Fargo. Mohamed, who has been a member of the ServeMinnesota Commission since 2009, is reappointed as a community member.

Peterson, of Minneapolis, is an organizer with the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation, as well as the AFL-CIO community services liaison with the St. Paul Labor Studies and Resource Center. She is a member of the International Association of Machinists Capitol City Lodge 459, a member of the Minnesota AFL-CIO Community Services Education Committee, and served as vice president of the Twin Cities Coalition of Labor Union Women. Peterson earned her master of advocacy and political leadership degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and her bachelor of science and bachelor of arts degrees from the University of Minnesota. Peterson, who has been a member of the ServeMinnesota Commission since 2009, is reappointed as a representative of labor.

Prouty, of Eagan, works in public relations with Public Affairs Company in Minneapolis, where his work is primarily in the healthcare community. Previously, he was a communications specialist with the Minnesota Department of Education, was a district field representative for former Congressman Mark Kennedy, and a legislative assistant in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Prouty earned his bachelor of science degree with honors from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Prouty, who has been a member of the ServeMinnesota Commission since 2009, is reappointed as a community member.

Rumpza, of Eden Prairie, operates Rumpza Consulting, a public relations and communications firm with specialties in corporate reputation management, crisis communications, and strategic communications. His previous positions have included senior vice president of public relations with Nicholson Kovac Inc., executive vice president of Weber Shandwick, as well as communications positions with Control Data Corporation and the Pillsbury Company. He earned the “Silver Anvil” award from the Public Relations Society of America. Rumpza earned his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Minnesota (U of M). He was named an “Alumnus of Notable Achievement” by the U of M College of Liberal Arts in 2007. Rumpza, who has been a member of the ServeMinnesota Commission since 2003 and is its current chair, is reappointed as a community member.

Russell, of Stillwater, is a licensed social worker with more than 35 years of professional experience in human services and community organizations, and the former director of volunteer services for Children’s Home Society of Minnesota. Russell earned her bachelor of arts degree from St. Catherine University. She founded the Minnesota Association of Volunteer Administration and serves on its Board of Directors. She also serves on the Ripley Foundation, is past president of the Minnesota Association of Volunteer Directors, chaired the St. Paul School District Special Education Council, and is a former co-chair of the United Way of Minneapolis Volunteer Center Advisory Council. Russell, who has been a member of the ServeMinnesota Commission since 2005, is reappointed as a community member.

Wiegert, of North St. Paul, is vice president of marketing and business development with TKDA, an engineering, architectural and planning firm based in St. Paul, where she is responsible for driving strategic marketing, business development, and sales activities in the firm. Wiegert earned her bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is president of the Lake Elmo Rotary Club, and previously served on St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce’s Central Corridor Business Partnership Committee, and Roseville Rotary Club. Wiegert, who has been a member of the ServeMinnesota Commission since 2007, is reappointed as a community member.

The Minnesota Commission on National and Community Service coordinates volunteer learning service programs, administers the youth works grant program as well as the federal AmeriCorps program. The commission consists of 25 members, including 24 appointed by the Governor, the Commissioner of Education plus four ex-officio legislative members.