Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Joan Breslin-Larson, and Kenneth Trebelhorn, and the reappointment of Connie Lee Berg, Steven Jacobson, Michael Malver, and Judith Sanders to the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind.

Berg, of Red Lake, is the director of Red Lake Rehabilitation Services and has over 15 years of experience working with tribal vocational rehabilitation programs. She chairs the Red Lake Supportive Housing Board of Commissioners. She is a member of the National Consortia of Administrators for Native American Rehabilitation, Inc., and is a member of the Minnesota Statewide Independent Living Council. Berg is reappointed to a three-year term as the representative of American Indian vocational rehabilitation projects. Her term expires January 3, 2011.

Breslin-Larson, of Roseville, is a supervisor of special education policy with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). She is appointed as the representative of the MDE to a three-year term that expires January 3, 2011. Breslin-Larson replaces Jean Martin on the council.

Jacobson, of Edina, has been employed with the 3M Company since 1976. He currently holds the position of lead computer analyst. Jacobson is a graduate of the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind and received a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics from Augsburg College. Jacobson is a member of the National Federation for the Blind of Minnesota. He is reappointed as a consumer member to a three-year term that expires January 3, 2011.

Malver, of Minneapolis is an IT professional and music therapist. He is the current vice president of the American Council of the Blind of Minnesota. Malver holds an applied science degree in computer programming from St. Paul College and a bachelor of arts degree in music therapy from the University of Minnesota. He is reappointed as a recipient of rehabilitation services member to a three-year term that expires January 3, 2011.

Sanders, of Minneapolis, has experience working for the State Services for the Blind as a job placement specialist and is the current secretary of the board of directors of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in speech education from the University of Colorado. Sanders is reappointed as a representative of the Minnesota Statewide Independent Living Council to a three-year term that expires January 3, 2011.

Trebelhorn, of Rochester, is an IT professional and computer instructor for low vision and blind clients. He is a volunteer for his local National Federation for the Blind chapter and Lions Club International where he works on reconfiguring donated computer systems and distributing them to clients in need. Trebelhorn is appointed as a rehabilitation provider member to fulfill a three-year term that expired January 4, 2010. He replaces Jim Collins on the council.

The Rehabilitation Council for the Blind gives advice and recommendations to State Services for the Blind and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development concerning products and services for the blind. The Council consists of 19 members appointed by the Governor, as well as an ex-officio member from the State Services for the Blind.