Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Robert J. McFarlin to an unscheduled vacancy on the Metropolitan Council in District 3. The vacancy will occur with the resignation of Mary Hill Smith effective December 31, 2008. McFarlin’s effective date will be on January 2, 2009.

McFarlin is vice president of corporate, community, and public affairs at Weber Shandwick in Bloomington. He has 27 years of experience in government and public relations, including a number of positions with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), where he was acting Commissioner, assistant commissioner for policy and public affairs, and director of public affairs and chief of staff. McFarlin has served on the boards of the Minnesota Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Standing Committee on Quality and Public Affairs Committee, Minnesota State Board of Investment Advisory Council, and was an instructor with the Indiana University Highway and Transportation Management Institute. McFarlin earned his masters and bachelor of science degrees from the University of Minnesota.

McFarlin has volunteered with the International Special Olympics, St. Paul Winter Carnival, Minnetonka youth baseball and basketball, East Tonka Little League Board of Directors, and Tonka Babe Ruth Board of Directors. McFarlin, 51, lives in Minnetonka with his wife, Kimberly, and their three children.

Metropolitan Council District 3 includes the Hennepin County cities of Deephaven, Eden Prairie, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, Wayzata, and Woodland. Eleven people applied for this position.

The Metropolitan Council coordinates planning and development in the seven county metropolitan area and directly operates several regional services. The Metropolitan Council consists of 16 metropolitan citizens appointed from geographically defined districts in the seven county metropolitan area and a chair. All 17 members are appointed by the Governor to four-year terms that are co-terminus with the Governor.