Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Christopher Georgacas and Mark Mishek to the Board of Directors of ClearWay Minnesota.

Georgacas, of Mahtomedi, is president and CEO of Goff & Howard, Inc., a public affairs/public relations firm in Saint Paul. His previous experience includes service on the Twin Cities board of the American Heart Association, and work on behalf of the Minnesota Smoke-Free Coalition. Georgacas is the former vice chair of the Metropolitan Council. He currently serves on the boards of the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and the St. Paul Police Foundation. Georgacas is appointed to fulfill a three-year term that expires September 28, 2010. He replaces Mary Choate on the board.

Mishek, of St. Paul, has served as the president of United Hospital since 2003. United is a 425 bed acute care hospital that is part of Allina Hospitals and Clinics. Prior to his position as president, Mishek served as general counsel and executive vice president for law and public affairs for Allina Hospitals and Clinics. Mishek received his undergraduate degree and juris doctorate degree with honors from the University of Minnesota. He serves as board chair of the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce. Mishek is appointed to fulfill a three-year term that expires September 28, 2009. He replaces Darcy Miner on the board.

ClearWay Minnesota is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the human and economic harms of tobacco use in Minnesota. ClearWay Minnesota, formerly the Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco, was created in 1998 by the Ramsey County District Court as a part of the $6.1 billion tobacco settlement. ClearWay Minnesota funds research, community outreach, and smoking cessation activities. The board consists of 19 members including two appointed by the Governor.