Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Mary Ives and Raymond VinZant, Jr. to the Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority. 

Mary Ives, of Grand Rapids, is owns and manages 16 motel and restaurant properties in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan.  She also owns and manages manufactured housing communities for 1000 single-family homeowners in north central Minnesota.  Ives previously served seven years as a school board member in Benton County and four years as an Itasca County Commissioner.  For the past two years, Ives has also served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth.  She is appointed as a member of the Authority for a four-year term ending January 7, 2008.  Ives replaces Mollie Thibodeau on the Authority. 

Raymond VinZant, Jr., of St. Paul, is a Policy Representative in the Office of U.S. Senator Norm Coleman.  He also serves as a Plumbing Instructor at Anoka Technical College.  From 1997 to 2002, VinZant was Assistant General Manager for the Roto-Rooter Services Company.  VinZant is responsible for assisting the White House Office of Advance in planning logistics for Presidential visits to the state.  He is a member of the Civil Air Patrol and is a U.S. Navy veteran.  VinZant also serves as a volunteer translator for trips to Mexican orphanages.  He is appointed as a member of the Authority for a four-year term ending January 7, 2008.  VinZant replaces Gary Langer on the Authority. 

The Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority assists Minnesota nonprofit institutions of higher education by issuing tax-exempt revenue bonds.  These funds are used to finance construction projects, renovate existing buildings, or purchase equipment.  The authority’s board is made up of ten members, including eight appointed by the Governor.