Saint Paul - Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Dr. Bruce Cords, Sarah Geisert, Curt Fernandez, Kristin Harner, Dr. Phillip Minerch, Bill Newman, Jody Portu, Dr. Joseph Scimeca and David Wiemer to the Minnesota Food Safety and Defense Task Force. All members are appointed to terms that expire June 30, 2012.

Cords, of Eagan, is the vice president of global technology alliances and environment and food safety and public health for ECOLAB Inc. in St. Paul. Cords received his Ph. D. in food science from the University of Minnesota and is a nationally recognized authority on food borne disease. He is appointed to the position on the task force for a Minnesota-based manufacturer of microbial detection equipment and remediation products.

Geisert, of Minnetonka, is a senior director for General Mills where she leads the global product safety and regulatory affairs department. She holds bachelor and masters of science degrees in food science. She is appointed as an at-large member.

Fernandez, of St. Bonifacius, works for the City of Minneapolis as a manager of environmental health. His department is responsible for health programs including food safety, inspections and regulatory services. Fernandez earned his bachelor of science in degree in biological science. He is appointed to the position on the task force for a representative of a local food inspection agency.

Harner, of Northfield, is the public relations director for the Minnesota Farm Bureau. She holds a bachelor of science degree in animal science and is a member of the Ag Safety Program Planning Committee. Harner is appointed as the statewide farm organization representative member of the task force.

Minerch, of Austin, is the vice president of research and development for Hormel Foods, where he has worked for 31 years. Minerch holds a master of science degree and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. He is appointed as an at-large member.

Newman, of Bloomington, is the vice president of quality assurance and regulatory affairs for Land O’ Lakes, Inc. in Arden Hills. He is appointed as an at-large member.

Portu, of Edina, is a registered nurse and a member of the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. She is appointed as a consumer group representative member of the task force.

Scimeca, of St. Paul, is the director of corporate and regulatory affairs at Cargill, and has 20 years of experience in the food safety industry. Scimeca holds a Ph.D. in toxicology. He is appointed as a food professional member of the task force.

Wiemer, of Minnetonka, is the director of supply chain food safety for Supervalu, Inc. where he has worked for the past twenty-seven years. He is appointed as a food professional member of the task force.

The Food Safety and Defense Task Force also includes a representative from each of the following agencies: the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, The Minnesota Department of Health, the US Food and Drug Administration, the US Department of Agriculture, the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, the Minnesota Grocers Association and the University of Minnesota.

The Food Safety and Defense Task Force was created b y the 2007 legislature and advises the Department of Agriculture and legislature on food issues and food safety. The 15 member task force includes nine members appointed by the Governor.