Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Thomas E. Cook and the reappointment of Elizabeth A. Wilkens to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). Both are appointed to four-year terms that expire on January 6, 2014.

Cook, of Greenfield, retired last year as the cabinet division president for Elkay Manufacturing Company, a manufacturer of semi-custom kitchen and bath cabinetry, sinks and pressure water coolers. His professional career included management and accounting positions with Tonka Corporation in Minneapolis, and Litton Microwave Cooking Products in Minneapolis. He was also an executive officer of an armor company with the U.S. Army. Cook earned his bachelor of arts degree in accounting and economics from St. John’s University in Collegeville. He is a member of the Greenfield Planning Commission, a past board member of the Waconia Chamber of Commerce, and was the director of the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association’s environmental stewardship program. Cook replaces Mary Mueller on the LCCMR.

Wilkens, of Mora, is retired after a professional career as a faculty member with St. Cloud State University, high school physical science and math teacher, special education director, and secondary school principal. Wilkens earned her master of science degree in special education, a specialist degree in education administration, and her principal licensure from St. Cloud State University, and her bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Macalester College in St. Paul. She has served as a Hillman Township Clerk and Supervisor, volunteer with the Mora High School Career Center and Agriculture Department, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Citizen Stream Monitoring Program, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources volunteer safety education instructor, its venison donation program, and its “Becoming and Outdoors Woman” education program. Wilkens has been a member of the LCCMR since 2009.

The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources makes funding recommendations to the legislature from the Environment and Natural Resource Trust Fund for special environment and natural resource projects. The LCCMR consist of 17 members, including five citizens appointed by the Governor, one citizen appointed by the House, one citizen appointed by the Senate, and 10 legislators.