Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced that he has accepted three finalists recommended to him by the Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee for an unscheduled vacancy on the Metropolitan Council. The vacancy occurred as a result of the resignation of Marcel Eibensteiner from Council District 10. Twelve people applied for this position. The finalists are Blake Huffman, John Kappler and Kris Sanda.

Huffman, of Shoreview, is the director of strategic initiatives with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. He has been a member of the Shoreview City Council since 1997 and is currently acting mayor. He is also past chairman of the Lake Johanna Fire Department, and a member of the board of directors of the Lake Johanna Fire Department Relief Association.

Kappler, of Shoreview, formerly served as vice president of program management with Corporate Express in Arden Hills. He also held positions in information technology, information systems and operating system development with U.S. Office Products, General Office Products and Control Data Corporation. He served on the Academic Standards Committees for Mounds Views Schools and the Minnesota Department of Education.

Sanda, of Blaine, is a member of the Metropolitan Council's Transportation Advisory Board, Blaine's Transportation Committee, and a public member of the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice. She has held a variety of Governor-appointed positions in state government, including Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Service during the eight years of Governor Arne Carlson's administration. She is also president of the Minnesota Lutheran Social Service Foundation, a consumer director of the Medica Board of Directors, and vice president of the St. Paul American Red Cross.

The seven-member Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee, which recommended these candidates to the Governor, conducted a public hearing on April 7 in Shoreview to accept statements from, or on behalf of, applicants for the position. The Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee members who made these recommendations were William Pulkrabek, Chair, Sherry Broecker, Mike Burton, Dave Clark, Cyndee Fields, John Pacheco, and Mark Schiffman.

The Metropolitan Council coordinates planning and development in the seven county metropolitan area and directly operates several regional services. The Metropolitan Council consists of 16 metropolitan citizens appointed from geographically defined districts in the seven county metropolitan area and a chair. All 17 members are appointed by the Governor to four-year terms that are co-terminus with the Governor.