Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced his appointments to the Green Jobs Task Force. This task force was created by the 2008 Legislature to develop and present to the Governor and Legislature a statewide action plan to optimize the growth of the green economy. The Governor’s appointees are William A. Blazar, Paul Eger, Bill Glahn, Bob Isaacson, David Leckey, Laurie Martinson, Dr. Gail O’Kane, Ph.D., Teresa Spaeth, Suzanne Spellacy, and Dr. Deborah Swackhamer, Ph.D.

Blazar is the senior vice president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Blazar is appointed to a position for a representative of a statewide organization dedicated to commerce.

Eger is an assistant commissioner with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Eger is appointed as the MPCA representative.

Glahn is the new deputy commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce and director of the Minnesota Office of Energy Security. Glahn is appointed as the Office of Energy Security representative.

Isaacson is the director of the Communications, Analysis and Research Division of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Isaacson is appointed as the DEED representative.

Leckey is executive vice president and a member of the board of directors of Dane Technologies in Brooklyn Park. Dane Technologies designs, develops and manufactures innovative power assist solutions used throughout healthcare, industrial and retail markets. Leckey is appointed to a position for a representative of the manufacturing industry.

Martinson is the deputy commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Martinson is appointed as the DNR representative.

O’Kane is the education-industry partnership manager for emerging technologies with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system. O’Kane is appointed as the MnSCU representative.

Spaeth is the executive director of the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) in Bemidji. Spaeth is appointed as the AURI representative.

Spellacy is vice president and assistant general counsel with Taylor Corporation in North Mankato and a member of the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board (MJSPB). Spellacy is appointed as the MJSPB representative.

Swackhamer is the interim director of the University of Minnesota (U of M) Institute on the Environment and co-director of the U of M Water Resources Center. Swackhamer is appointed as the U of M representative.

The Green Jobs Task Force consists of 24 members, including 10 appointed by the Governor. The task force is required to report to the Governor and Legislature by January 15, 2009. This task force expires on June 30, 2009.