Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Mary Choate and Craig Shaver to the Lottery Organization Task Force.

Choate, of Minnetonka, owns and operates seven McDonald’s restaurants in the metropolitan area with her husband and serves as secretary/treasurer for the business.  She is also a member and former chair of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) Board of Trustees and served on the Board of Directors of the Association of Community College Trustees..

Shaver, of Wayzata, is a senior vice president of investments with Piper Jaffray in Minneapolis and served three terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

The Lottery Organization Task Force was created by the 2004 Legislature under Chapter 233 to study and make recommendations to the Legislature and Governor regarding the future organization and profitability of the State Lottery.  The Task Force consists of nine members including two appointed by the Governor.