Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of E. Mae Beecham and Manijeh Daneshpour to the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy.

E. Mae Beecham, of Brooklyn Park, is co-founder and co-pastor of the Faith Tabernacle Gospel Church in Minneapolis. An ordained minister, she is also co-founder of Urban Hope Ministries, Inc., a family and children's service. Dr. Beecham previously worked as Student Advisor and Counselor at Hennepin Technical College. She holds a Ph.D. from the Jacksonville Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Beecham fills a board position for a public member. She will serve a four-year term ending January 1, 2007. She replaces Marlene Reid on the board.

Manijeh Daneshpour, of Maple Grove, is Associate Professor and Director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at St. Cloud State University. A licensed marriage and family therapist since 1996, Dr. Daneshpour also works as a therapist in private practice in Bloomington. She holds a Ph.D. in Family Social Science from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Daneshpour fills a board position for a marriage and family therapist. She will serve a four-year term ending January 1, 2007. She replaces Matthew Eastwood on the board.

The Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy is responsible for licensing and disciplining marriage and family therapists. The board is made up of seven members appointed by the Governor.