Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Mario Santos Vargas, and the reappointment of Maricruz Hill, Nicholas Juarez, and Edgardo Rodriguez to the Chicano-Latino Affairs Council. All are appointed to a four-year term that expires January 2, 2012.

Hill, of Chaska, is a regional project support manager at U.S. Bank in Minneapolis, where she is responsible for leadership and management of 130 retail metropolitan bank branches. Hill is a member of the Minnesota Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Latino Economic Development Center. She received a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from InterAmerican University in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.

Juarez, of West St. Paul, is an asset protection specialist for Target Corporation. In addition to his duties with Target, Juarez works with a number of community organizations and outreach programs. He is an on-call crime victim crisis specialist for the Council on Crime and Justice in Minneapolis and a member of the West St. Paul City Council. Juarez was recognized by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Minnesota as one of the “25 on the Rise” Hispanic leaders in Minnesota. Juarez obtained his bachelor of arts degree in legal assistance and political science from Hamline University.

Rodriguez, of Minneapolis, currently serves as a business consultant at the Metropolitan Economic Development Association. He is a certified public accountant with accounting, small business, and corporate finance experience. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in business administration from the University of Puerto Rico. He is licensed to sell securities and provide financial advice in Minnesota, Massachusetts, and New York. Rodriguez is a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and currently serves as the treasurer of the Chicano-Latino Affairs Council.

Vargas, of St. Paul is a senior marketing outreach consultant with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. He has a number of years of experience with Latino outreach, strategic planning, grant reviewing and working with non-profit organizations. Vargas holds a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from the University of Minnesota – Morris, and an executive mini-M.B.A. certification from the University of St. Thomas.

The Chicano-Latino Affairs Council advises the Governor and the state legislature on the issues of importance to Minnesota's Chicano Latino community. The council is made up a 15 member board, 11 members are appointed by the Governor