Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Charles G. Ryan to the State Rehabilitation Council.

Ryan, of Eden Prairie, is the president and owner of Cosecha Designs, Inc. – the Bead Store in Hopkins, and an adjunct business instructor with Cardinal Stritch University in Eden Prairie. Previously, he was the corporate secretary and director of St. Paul Brass and Aluminum Foundry, president and CEO of St. Paul Brass Foundry Company, and has also been an adjunct business instructor with the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Anoka, and North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park. Ryan earned his master of business administration degree in manufacturing and master of arts degree in education from the University of St. Thomas, and his bachelor of arts degree from St. John’s University in Collegeville. He is a member of Opportunity Partners Business Advisory Council, a former member of the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota Board of Directors, past chairman of the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Foundrymen’s Society, and past president of Metalcasters of Minnesota. Ryan replaces Michele Kyler on the State Rehabilitation Council as a representative of business and industry, and is appointed to a three-year term that expires on January 7, 2013.

The State Rehabilitation Council is created under state law and the Federal Rehabilitation Act. The council assists the Rehabilitation Services Program of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development in making decisions about the state’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program. Vocational Rehabilitation serves thousands of persons with severe disabilities throughout the state, helping them reach their vocational goals. The council consists of 19 members appointed by the Governor.