Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Michelle Beeman and Dennis Jensen to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Board.

Michelle Beeman, of Minneapolis, is Director of External Affairs for the Canada/US Partnership at The Nature Conservancy. She previously served as Director of Legislative Affairs at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Beeman also previously served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Natural Resources/Environmental Protection Division of the Minnesota Attorney General's Office. She received a B.A. in History from Princeton University, a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School, and a M.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin. Beeman is appointed to a four-year term ending January 7, 2008. She replaces Robert Esse on the board.

Dennis Jensen, of Duluth, is General Manager of the Duluth Transit Authority. He also serves as Vice President and Area Manager of First Transit, Inc. Jensen previously served as General Manager of the Laredo (Texas) Municipal Transit System and as General Manager of Airport Services, Inc. at the Baltimore Washington International Airport. Jensen currently serves as a Management Trustee of Teamsters Local 346 Health Fund. He previously served as President of the Minnesota Public Transit Association. Jensen received a Bachelor's in Fine Arts and Education from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He is appointed to a four-year term ending January 7, 2008. Jensen replaces Sid Mason on the board.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Board, often called the MPCA Citizen's Board, consists of nine members appointed by the Governor, including the MPCA Commissioner who serves as the board's chair. The board sets agency policy related to the protection of Minnesota's air, water, and land resources.