Saint Paul - Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Alison Canty, Kursten Dubbels, David Swanson, Jamie Taylor, Jenna Temte, and Dawn Marie Van House; and the reappointment of Jon Kragness, David Quilleash, and Tom Reed to the Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council, also known as the STAR Council.

Canty, of Woodbury, has a background in human resources, strategic planning, program management and development. Canty replaces Joann Leppink on the STAR Council as a public member, and is appointed to complete a three-year term that expires on January 2, 2012.

Dubbels, of Fergus Falls, is an assistive technology program specialist with the Minnesota Department of Education. Dubbels replaces Joan Breslin Larson on the STAR Council as the Department of Education Representative, and is appointed to complete a three-year term that expires on January 3, 2011.

Kragness, of Fergus Falls, is the director of disability services with Minnesota State Community and Technology Colleges in Fergus Falls. Kragness, who has been a member of the STAR Council since 2007, is reappointed as a public member to a three year term that expires January 7, 2013.

Quilleash, of Plymouth, is an independent IT and business consultant. Quilleash, who has been a member of the STAR Council since 2007, is reappointed as a public member to a three year term that expires January 7, 2013.

Reed, of St. Cloud, has a background working on web-based projects for persons with disabilities. Reed, who has been a member of the STAR Council since 2007, is reappointed as a public member to a three year term that expires January 7, 2013.

Swanson, of Minneapolis, is a personal care attendant supervisor, and a service representative with the Social Security Administration in Edina. Swanson replaces Peter Morton on the STAR Council as a public member, and is appointed to complete a three-year term that expires on January 2, 2012.

Taylor, of St. Paul, is the technology and access specialist with the Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard-of-Hearing Minnesotans. Taylor replaces Jeanne Anderegg on the STAR Council as a public member, and is appointed to a three-year term that expires on January 7, 2013.

Temte, of Bloomington, is a senior associate with Publius Strategies in St. Paul, and has a background as a personal care attendant. Temte replaces Cheire Frick on the STAR Council as a public member, and is appointed to a three-year term that expires on January 7, 2013.

Van House, of North Oaks, is a licensed qualified rehabilitation consultant and owns Colibri Consulting. Van House replaces Brian Wagner on the STAR Council as a public member, and is appointed to a three-year term that expires on January 7, 2013.

The Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council administers the Minnesota System of Technology to Achieve Results (STAR) program. The STAR Program is federally funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration in accordance with the Assistive Technology Act of 1998. The council consists of 16 members including 11 public members and five members of designated state agencies appointed by the Governor.