Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Catherine Cullen-Benson, Patricia Fogal, Douglas Frisk, Kristen Piper, Duane Reynolds, Walter Roberts, Jr., Nicholas Ruiz, Karen Stokes, and Colin Ward to the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy.

Catherine Cullen-Benson, of Oakdale, is an Employee Assistance Consultant at Ceridian Performance Partners in Eagan. She previously worked as Patient Services Intake Coordinator at MacNeil Hospital in Berwyn, Illinois. She is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) in Minnesota and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Illinois. Cullen-Benson received a B.A. in Psychology and a M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. She is appointed as a LADC member for a term expiring January 1, 2007.

Patricia Fogal, of Duluth, is a pastoral counselor in private practice. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Fogal received a A.B. in Philosophy from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, a Master's of Library Science from the State University of New York at Albany, a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and a M.S. in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola College in Maryland. She is appointed as a LPC member for a term expiring January 1, 2007.

Douglas Frisk, of New Brighton, recently retired after 35 years as a health education teacher at South Washington County Schools. He continues to serve as an Adjunct Professor at the Hamline Graduate School of Education in Minneapolis. Frisk received a B.A. in Health and Physical Education from Augsburg College in St. Paul, and a M.A. and Ph.D. in Education from the University of Minnesota. He also served as a member and as the vice chair of the Minnesota Board of Teaching. Frisk is appointed as a public member for a term expiring January 5, 2004.

Kristen Piper, of St. Louis Park, previously worked as Director of the Oklahoma Diagnostic and Evaluation Center for Children in Norman, Oklahoma. She also previously worked in private practice in Oklahoma. Piper is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certified School Counselor in Oklahoma. She previously was a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Oklahoma. Piper received a B.A. in Psychology and a Master's of Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. She is appointed as a LPC member for a term expiring January 2, 2006.

Duane Reynolds, of New Hope, is Associate Executive Director of the Vinland Center in Loretto. He previously worked as Director of Chemical Dependency and Allied Mental Health at Healthone-Mercy/Unity Hospital in Minneapolis. He is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) in Minnesota. Reynolds received a B.A. in Business Administration from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul. He is also currently chair of the Minnesota Department of Health's LADC Advisory Committee. He is appointed as a LADC member for a term ending January 5, 2004.

Walter Roberts, Jr., of North Mankato, is a Professor of Counselor Education at Minnesota State University—Mankato. He is a Licensed School Counselor in Minnesota and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Arkansas. Roberts holds a B.A. in Psychology from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, a M.Ed. and Ed.D. in Counselor Education from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He previously served as a member and as the chair of the Minnesota Board of Teaching. He is appointed as a LPC member for a term ending January 5, 2004.

Nicholas Ruiz, of Inver Grove Heights, is a Professor of Counselor Education at Winona State University—Rochester Center. He also works as a psychologist in private practice in Inver Grove Heights. Ruiz serves as a volunteer supervisor at the Walk-In Counseling Center in Minneapolis. He is a Licensed Psychologist (LP) in Minnesota. Ruiz holds a B.A. in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Minnesota. He is appointed as a LPC member for a term ending January 1, 2007.

Karen Stokes, of Cass Lake, is a Partner in the Four Winds Center for Wellness in Bemidji. She previously served as Director of Behavioral Health Services at St. Francis Medical Center in Breckenridge. Stokes is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) in Minnesota and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in North Dakota. She received a B.S. in Elementary Education from Minnesota State University—Moorhead and a M.Ed. in Counseling from North Dakota State University. She is appointed as a LADC member for a term ending January 1, 2007.

Colin Ward, of Winona, is an Associate Professor of Counselor Education and the Director of the Counselor Training Institute at Winona State University. He is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Wisconsin. He received a B.A. in Special and Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, a M.S. in Community and School Counseling from Winona State University, and a Ph.D. in Counseling from Oregon State University in Corvallis. He is appointed as a LPC member for a term ending January 3, 2005.

The Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy is responsible for licensing and disciplining Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADCs). The board will create the LPC license in Minnesota. The board is made up of thirteen members appointed by the Governor. All named appointees are initial members of this board which was created in 2003.