Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Teresa Dawson, Juan Lazo, Omar Salas, and Heladio Zavala to the Council on Affairs of Chicano/Latino People.

M. Teresa Dawson, of Duluth, has been the librarian/media specialist at the Marshall School in Duluth since 1996. At the Marshall School, she is on the Diversity Committee. Dawson is a member of the Adelante Cultural Center in Duluth, where she helps brings Hispanic culture to Duluth students. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the College of St. Benedict, and a Master's of Arts degree in Information Media from St. Cloud State University. Dawson was born in Trujillo, Peru. She is appointed to a four-year term that expires on January 1, 2007. Dawson serves as the member from the Eighth Congressional District and replaces Ricardo Acevedo on the Council.

Juan Lazo, of Grand Rapids, has been the CEO and owner of Treasure Bay Companies Inc. in Grand Rapids since 1978. Treasure Bay consists of Treasure Bay Printing, Arrow Sports Embroidery and Screen Printing, and Photo Express One Hour Photo and Portrait Studio. From 1996-2001, he served as Mayor of Grand Rapids. Lazo also served two terms as a City Councilman. He attended Itasca Community College. Lazo was born in Chiclayo, Peru, and first came to Grand Rapids as a high school exchange student. He is appointed to a four-year term that expires on January 1, 2007. Lazo serves as an At-Large member and replaces Sally Anaya-Boyer on the Council.

Omar Salas, of Cottage Grove, is a human resources/marketing consultant. He previously served as Talent Resource Manager at Cargill, Inc. in Minneapolis, as Co-Founder/Director of Business Development at Diversity Village, Inc. in St. Paul, and as Vice President of Hire-Power.com in St. Paul. Salas is a member of Rivercentre Diversity Marketing Committee. He received a Bachelor's of Science degree in Recreation and Sports Management from the University of Minnesota, where he was a member of the University's football team. Salas was born in Minnesota of Bolivian parents. He is appointed to a four-year term that expires on January 1, 2007. Salas serves as the member from the Second Congressional District and replaces Vicki Oliva on the Council.

Heladio Zavala, of Sartell, has been State Director of the United Migrant Opportunity Services in St. Cloud since 1997. He also serves as a consultant to two national organizations: the National Farmworker Alliance, and MAFO, which is a National Partnership of Farmworker Organizations. Zavala previously served as Executive Director of the Minnesota Migrant Council. He attended Moorhead State University with majors in Spanish and Social Work. Zavala was born in Texas. He is appointed to a four-year term that expires on January 1, 2007. Zavala serves as the member from the Sixth Congressional District and is reappointed to a second term on the Council. He currently serves as the Council's Chairman.

The Council on Affairs of Chicano/Latino People advises the Governor and Legislature on the issues of importance to Minnesota's Chicano/Latino community. The Council also serves as a liaison between the Hispanic community and local, state and federal government. The board is made up of eleven members appointed by the Governor, as well as two members each from the State Senate and State House of Representatives.