Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Anne Robertson, Terance Smith, Greg Toutges, and Cindy Ulven, and the reappointment of Kimberly Peck, Sean Roy, Ardis Sandstrom, and Stephanie Morris to the State Rehabilitation Council.

Robertson, of Minneapolis, is an attorney with the Minnesota Disability Law Center. She received her juris doctor degree from Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts and her bachelor of arts degree in international relations summa cum laude from the University of California-Davis. She is appointed to a three-year term as the client assistance program representative and replaces Justin Page on the council. Robertson’s term expires January 3, 2011.

Smith, of Forest Lake, is the owner and operator of Tek-Smith Furniture Service, LLC. He served as a Forest Lake city council member from 1998-2002 and as the Mayor of Forest Lake from 2004-2006. Smith is a current board member of the Governor’s Workforce Development Council (GWDC), and is appointed to serve as the GWDC representative on the council. He is appointed to a three-year term that expires January 3, 2011 and replaces Rod Haworth.

Toutges, of Moorhead, is the coordinator of disability services at Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM). He also serves as a career specialist and instructor of life planning classes at MSUM. Toutges holds a master of science degree in counseling from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, and a bachelor of science degree in recreation and community education from Minnesota State University Mankato. Toutges will represent former recipients of vocational rehabilitation services. Toutges is appointed to fulfill a three-year term that expires January 4, 2010 and replaces Michele Kyler.

Ulven, of Hawley, is the owner of her own engraving and signage business located in Hawley. She is a former member of vocational rehabilitation services and is appointed as a business member to the council. Ulven will fulfill a three year term that expires January 5, 2009 and replaces Scott Dehn.

Peck, of St. Paul, is a licensed social worker and the director of rehabilitation services at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, where she administers Minnesota’s public vocational rehabilitation program. She has over 30 years of social work and employment experience. Peck received her master of science degree in industrial and organizational psychology from Capella University. She is reappointed as the vocational services director member of the council to a three-year term that expires January 3, 2011.

Roy, of Bloomington, is the director of transition and workforce partnership for PACER Center, Inc., in Minneapolis. He is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children, Association for Persons in Supported Employment, and the Minneapolis WIA Youth Council. Roy holds a master of science degree in Sociology from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and a bachelor of arts degree in human services from the University of Minnesota, Morris. He is reappointed as the representative of PACER to a three-year term that expires January 3, 2011.

Sandstrom, of Motley, is the executive director of the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota. She received a bachelor of science degree in applied psychology and a master of science degree in rehabilitation counseling from St. Cloud State University. She is a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) and a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW). She is reappointed as a former recipient of rehabilitation services representative to a three-year term that expires January 3, 2011.

Morris, of Vadnais Heights, is the development director of Merrick, Inc., a non-profit corporation that is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services as a day training and habilitation provider. She holds a master of business administration degree from the University of Phoenix and a bachelor of science degree in applied psychology from St. Cloud State University. Morris is reappointed as a disability advocate member to a three-year term that expires January 3, 2011.

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 is made up of 19 members appointed by the Governor.