Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Marcia Farinacci to the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) Board of Trustees.

Farinacci, of St. Paul, retired last month as acting director of the Office of Strategic and Long Range Planning (Minnesota Planning). She previously served as deputy director of the agency and was on the staff of Governor Arne Carlson and United States Senator Rudy Boschwitz. Farinacci also worked for Independent School District 625 in Roseville. Farinacci replaces Lois Riecken on the PERA Board as a representative of retired annuitants for a four-year term that expires on January 7, 2008.

The Public Employees Retirement Association Board of Trustees manages the fund that provides retirement, survivor and disability benefits for public employees of county and local government. The board consists of 11 members, including five appointed by the Governor.