Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Daniel Wolter to the unscheduled vacancy on the Metropolitan Council in District 15.

Wolter, of Eagan, is the director of university news services for the University of Minnesota. He previously served as the special assistant to the Governor's Health Cabinet and communications director for Governor Pawlenty. He has also been the director of speechwriting for the United States Department of Agriculture, director of public affairs for the Minnesota House of Representatives office of the Speaker and Majority Leader, a senior account executive for Weber Shandwick Worldwide, and deputy communications director to Iowa Governor Terry Branstad. Wolter earned his bachelor of arts degree cum laude from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa in 1993.

Wolter replaces Tom Egan, who resigned after he was elected to the Dakota County Board of Commissioners last November. Six people applied for the Metropolitan Council District 15 position, which includes the Dakota County cities of Burnsville, Inver Grove Heights, South St. Paul and the northern portion of Eagan.

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.