Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Jayne Clairmont and Kathleen Harrington, and the reappointment of Dean Fenner, Mary Koep and Ellie Volmer to the Minnesota Board on Aging.

Clairmont, of Edina, has more than 25 years of experience working with older adults and assisted living. She is the co-owner of English Rose Suites, a unique residential care home headquartered in Edina, that operates five assisted living locations. Clairmont served as a board member and chair of the Minnesota/North Dakota chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association in Minneapolis from 1998 through 2004 and severed as a board member for the YMCA Metropolitan Minneapolis from 2005 to 2007. She is a nationally recognized expert in the areas of assisted living and dementia. Clairmont is appointed as a public member to complete a term that expires January 12, 2009 and replaces Betty Anne Kane on the board.

Fenner, of White Bear Lake, retired from the 3M company in 1985 after a 34-year career in manufacturing and human resources management. He has served as a city councilman and mayor of White Bear Lake, and was a delegate to the 1995 White House Conference on Aging. He currently chairs the White Bear Lake Charter Commission, is a board member of the Willow Wood Senior Housing Facility, and is a Meals on Wheels volunteer driver. Fenner is reappointed as a public member to a four-year term that expires January 7, 2013.

Harrington, of Edina, recently moved to Minnesota from Washington, D.C., where she worked in both the public and private sector. She is the former senior vice president of corporate communication and chief of staff to the CEO of United Health Group. Harrington worked for the US Department of Health and Human Services overseeing and managing activities related to Medicare and Medicaid. She is experienced in public affairs, serving as the assistant secretary for public affairs for both the U.S. Department of Labor and Federal Aviation Administration. Harrington holds a master of arts degree in psychology from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She is appointed as a public member to a four-year term that expires January 7, 2013 and replaces Sandra Anderson on the board. Harrington is also appointed the new chair of the board replacing Mary Koep, who continues as a member of the Board.

Koep, of Brainerd, currently serves as a member of the Brainerd City Council and previously served 16 years as a Crow Wing County Commissioner. Koep is involved in a number of community and civic organizations, including serving more than 24 years on the Camp Ripley Citizen Advisory Committee. She is a former chair of her local Area Agency on Aging, served as co-chair to the Minnesota White House Conference on Aging, and served as chair of the Minnesota Board on Aging from 2008 to 2009. Koep is reappointed as a public member to a four-year term that expires January 7, 2013.

Vollmer, of Perham, has worked in the field of elder care for over 17 years. She holds a master of science degree in gerontology and a master of arts degree in public administration from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. She earned her bachelor of arts degree in psychology from the University of California-Irvine. Vollmer is reappointed as a public member to a term that expires January 2, 2012.

The Minnesota Board on Aging develops, coordinates, evaluates and administers federal and state funds for programs for the aging; makes grants to 14 area agencies on aging and non-profit agencies; and serves as an advocate for older persons. The board consists of 25 members appointed by the Governor.