Gov. Mark Dayton has announced a number of appointments and reappointments to state boards, commissions and committees. Several of the groups serve Minnesotans with disabilities. Many of the appointees to the groups represent specific interests, to bring expertise and a specific point of view. Some are new members, while others are reappointments.
One group gaining new members is the Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council. John Bredehoft of Burnsville will be a vocational rehabilitation services representative. Sheri Cooke of Duluth will be the center for independent living representative. She will complete Shelly Anderson’s term. Harmony Sue Kuller of Minneapolis is a new public member, replacing Paul Wessel.
Alex Caddy of Faribault was appointed to the Board of the Minnesota State Academies, Caddy, who replaces Gary Lazarz, is a general public representative with business, administrative or financial expertise.
Several people were reappointed to the State Advisory Council on Mental Health. Kenneth Moorman of Baudette will represent rural county commissioners. Stephen Palmer of West St. Paul will represent marriage and family therapist practitioners. Patricia Siebert of Minneapolis will represent the Minnesota Disability Law Center. John Yanish of Stillwater will represent NAMI-MN. Steve Hansberry of Mora will serve as representative of family members of an adult with a mental illness. Melissa Balitz of Hastings will be a representative of family members. Jode Freyholtz-London of Verndale will be a consumer representative. Allison Stolz of Minnetonka will represent family physicians.
Several people were appointed to complete unexpired terms on the mental health council. Joseph DeBoer of Cottage Grove will be a consumer representative, replacing Leann Dorr. Amoke Kubat of Minneapolis will represent family members, replacing Patty Holycross. Mary Kjolsing of Hopkins will represent parents, replacing Kevin Belker. Emmanuel Oppong of St. Cloud will represent professional clinical counselors, replacing Steve Gatton. Ken Ujifusa of Minnetonka will represent psychologists, replacing Harriet Haynes. Tarloh Quiwonkpa of Maplewood will represent registered nurses, replacing Karalee LaBreche. Shannah Mulvihill of St. Paul will represent Mental Health Minnesota, replacing Thomas Johnson.
Dayton also made several appointments to the Minnesota State Council on Disability (MSCOD). Amber Madoll of Duluth will replace Kim Tyler. Theodore Stamp of Marshall will replace Christine Versaevel. Shaneen Moore of St. Paul will replace Bryce Samuelson. Lauren Thompson of Champlin will replace Robert Johnson.
Members reappointed are Nate Aalgaard of Moorhead, Brian Bonte of Hutchinson, Jim Thalhuber of Blaine, Hillary Hauser of New Hope and Dean Ascheman of Rosemount.
Appointments were also made to the Commission of Dead, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans. Mak DeRuiter of Eagan was reappointed as an at-large member. James Taylor of Maplewood was appointed as an at-large member, replacing John Clark.
The Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy has one reappointment and two people filling out terms. Reappointee Walter Roberts of North Mankato will represent licensed professional counselors. Sherman Lightfoot of St. Paul will fill a licensed alcohol and drug counselor seat, replacing Duane Reynolds, Carrie Lindberg of Minneapolis will serve as a public member, replacing Douglas Frisk.
Two replacement members were appointed to the State Rehabilitation Council. Brian Paulson of East Bethel will serve as a representative of business, industry or labor, replacing Scott Berscheid. Daniel Plantenberg of Burnsville will serve as a vocational rehabilitation services representative, replacing Anita Olson.
