Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Tamara G. Garcia, William B. Goede, and Shirleen Hoffman to the Gambling Control Board.

Garcia, of Eden Prairie, is an attorney who practices in the area of workers' compensation defense. She is also a hearing examiner for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux, and a member of the board of directors of the State Fund Mutual Insurance Company. Garcia replaces James Hynes for a four-year term that expires on June 30, 2008.

Goede, of Plainview, is a field operations supervisor with Sprint Telecommunications. A veteran of the United States Army, Goede was the state commander of the American Legion from 2001 -- 2002, is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and past president of the Plainview Lions Club. Goede replaces William Barbknecht for a four-year term that expires on June 30, 2008.

Hoffman, of Delano, is the director of safety and security at Hamline University in St. Paul and a security representative for the Minnesota Lynx Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Team. She was also a police officer with the Minneapolis Police Department for 24 years, retiring in 2000 with the rank of Lieutenant. Hoffman replaces Donald McHale to complete a four-year term that expires on June 30, 2006.

The Gambling Control Board issues, suspends and revokes licenses of organizations, bingo halls, distributors and manufacturers of gambling equipment, registers gambling equipment, collects license fees and inspects records, conducts hearings to insure integrity of operations and compliance with all applicable laws and rules. The Gambling Control Board consists of seven members, including five appointed by the Governor.