Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Robert Erickson and Byron Opstad to the Minnesota Veterans Homes Board.

Robert Erickson, of Bloomington, previously served as Senior Vice President for Finance and Operations at the University of Minnesota. He also served as Vice President for Corporate Strategic Planning for Super Valu Stores, Inc. Erickson previously served as Member and Vice Chair of the MnSCU Board of Trustees. He is appointed to a four-year term which ends January 7, 2008. Erickson served on active duty in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1969. He replaces Thomas Mullon on the Board.

Byron Opstad, of Bloomington, is a Pharmacy Board Surveyor for the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy. He previously served as Chief of the Pharmacy Service for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis. He has also worked in VA hospitals in North Dakota, New Mexico, Illinois, and Michigan. He received the 1995 Minnesota County Veterans Service Officers President's Award. Opstad is appointed to a four-year term which ends January 7, 2008. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army. Opstad joined the board in 2002.

The Board of Directors of the Minnesota Veterans Homes oversees management of Minnesota's five state-run veterans homes. The homes are located in Minneapolis, Hastings, Silver Bay, Luverne, and Fergus Falls. The Homes provide over 900 beds to qualifying veterans and their spouses. The board is made up of nine members appointed by the Governor, and up to three ex-officio members. The board's website is www.mvh.state.mn.us.