Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced his appointments to the Transportation Strategic Management and Operations Advisory Task Force. This task force was created by the 2008 Legislature to provide an assessment that identifies strategies and makes recommendations to improve efficiency in state transportation construction and maintenance projects and management of state transportation infrastructure. The Governor’s appointees are Dr. Jeanne Boeh, Ph.D., Jeffery Gale, Laura M. King, Larry Lair, Dr. Svetlana Madzar, Ph.D., Clay Parker, and Darwin Voltin.

Boeh is an associate professor of economics and chair of the Economics Department at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. Boeh is appointed to a position for a representative of a postsecondary academic institution who has expertise in applied economics, organizational efficiency, or business management.

Gale is an executive vice president with FPD Power Development in Minneapolis, where he is responsible for the development and engineering of energy-related projects throughout North America. Gale is appointed to a position for a representative from the private sector outside the construction industry who has expertise in management or corporate efficiency.

King is vice chancellor and chief financial officer with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU), where she oversees a 1.8 billion dollar budget. King is appointed to a position for a representative of a postsecondary academic institution who has expertise in applied economics, organizational efficiency, or business management.

Lair is vice president and general manager of 3M’s Traffic Safety Systems Division in St. Paul. Lair is appointed to a position for a representative of the construction industry who has expertise in transportation construction projects.

Madzar is a senior lecturer in the Strategic Management and Organization Department at the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. Madzar is appointed to a position for a representative of a postsecondary academic institution who has expertise in applied economics, organizational efficiency, or business management.

Parker is president of Edwards CMD, an 80 million dollar high-tech manufacturing, project management, and services business. Parker is appointed to a position for a representative from the private sector outside the construction industry who has expertise in management or corporate efficiency.

Voltin is a partner with McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, a leading national CPA firm focused on meeting the audit and accounting needs of midsized companies. Voltin is appointed to a position for a representative from the private sector outside the construction industry who has expertise in management or corporate efficiency.

The Transportation Strategic Management and Operations Advisory Task Force consists of 15 members, including seven appointed by the Governor. The task force is required to report to the Governor and Legislature by December 15, 2008. This task force expires on May 31, 2009.