Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Alfred Sullivan, Wayne Brandt, Kathryn Fernholz, Shaun Hamilton, Robert Oswold, David Parent, Shawn Perich, and Richard Walsh to the Minnesota Forest Resources Council. Governor Pawlenty had previously designated Michael Carroll as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources representative on the council. Dr. Sullivan was appointed as the council's chairman. All members are appointed to four-year terms that expire on January 1, 2007.

Alfred Sullivan, of New Brighton, is Vice Provost for Academic Programs and Facilities at the University of Minnesota. He previously served as Dean of the College of Natural Resources at the University, and as chairman of the Minnesota Forest Resources Research Advisory Committee. He currently serves as a Trustee at the Wilderness Research Foundation. Dr. Sullivan is appointed as chairman of the council and replaces Gene Merriam.

Wayne Brandt, of Duluth, is Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Forest Industries. He also serves as Executive Director of the Minnesota Timber Producers Association. He is a current member of the council and was first appointed in 1997. Mr. Brandt is reappointed as the member representing the forest products industry.

Kathryn Fernholz, of Minneapolis, is a forester at the Community Forestry Resource Center of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy. She is also a member of numerous environmental organizations, including: the Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy, the World Wildlife Fund, and the National Wildlife Federation. Ms. Fernholz is appointed as a member representing an environmental organization and replaces Betsy Daub.

Shaun Hamilton, of New Hope, is Senior Project Manager and Director of the Northwoods Initiative at the Trust for Public Land. He previously worked for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, the Nature Conservancy, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Peace Corps. Mr. Hamilton is appointed as the member representing a conservation organization and replaces Ron Nargang.

Robert Oswold, of Scanlon, is a Vice President of the Minnesota AFL-CIO. He also serves as President of the Carlton County Central Labor Body. He has worked in a paper mill for the past 29 years and is a member of the PACE Local 7-63. He is a current member of the council and was first appointed in 1995. Mr. Oswold is reappointed as the member representing a labor organization.

David Parent, of Andover, is the owner of over 600 acres of non-industrial private forestland. He also owns a real estate appraisal service. He previously served 23 years in the U.S. Army. He is a past Vice President of the Minnesota Forestry Association. He is a current member of the council and was first appointed in 1999. Mr. Parent is reappointed as the member who is the owner of 40 or more acres of non-industrial, private forest land.

Shawn Perich, or Hovland, is a freelance writer specializing in conservation and the outdoors. He is field editor and columnist for Minnesota Outdoor News, and a columnist and contributor for the Cook County News-Herald. He is a current member of the council and was first appointed in 1999. Mr. Perich is reappointed as the member representing a game species management organization.

Richard Walsh, of Park Rapids, is an owner of Dick Walsh Forest Products, LLP, an independent logging contractor. He is also the owner and CEO of Forest Equipment Sales and Service, Inc. He previously served as President of the Minnesota Timber Producers Association, and as Chairman of the Minnesota Logger Education Project. Mr. Walsh is appointed as the member representing commercial logging contractors and replaces Rich Holm.

Michael Carroll, of Park Rapids, is the Director of the Division of Forestry at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. He is also the Minnesota State Forester. On May 16, 2003, Governor Pawlenty designated Carroll as the member representing the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on the council, replacing Brad Moore.

The Minnesota Forest Resources Council develops recommendations to the Governor and to federal, state, county and local governments with respect to forest resource policies and practices that result in the sustainable management, use, and protection of the state's forest resources. The council consists of 17 members appointed by the Governor.