WASHINGTON - The United States Mint today announced that Tom Noe of Maumee, Ohio, has been appointed to succeed Constance Harriman as Chairperson of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) for the one-year term beginning on October 1, 2004.  Ms. Harriman will continue to serve as a CCAC member until her term expires in February 2007.

Mr. Noe, the founder, owner and President of an Ohio coin business, is the Chairman of the Ohio Board of Regents and the Ohio Turnpike Commission.  He also served as Chairman of the Ohio Commemorative Quarter Committee.  Mr. Noe is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Numismatic Association, the Professional Numismatists Guild and the Industry Council for Tangible Assets.  He has served on the CCAC since its inception in 2003.  His term on the CCAC runs through May 2006.

Ken Thomasma of Jackson, Wyoming, has also been appointed to fill the vacancy on the CCAC created by the resignation of Mr. Richard W. Bratton.  United States Senate Majority Leader Frist recommended Mr. Thomasma.  Mr. Thomasma is a long-time member of the Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation.  His four-year term on the CCAC will expire in September 2008.

Mr. Thomasma has been an educator for more than 50 years, serving as a teacher, principal, professor, professional storyteller and writing workshop leader.  He is the author of The Truth about Sacajawea, along with a series of fictional books about Native American children.  From 1998 to 2000, Mr. Thomasma assisted the Department of the Treasury in its communications and discussions with the Shoshone Tribe during the development of the Golden Dollar.

Established by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to an Act of Congress in 2003, the CCAC advises the Secretary on theme and design proposals relating to circulating coinage, bullion coinage, Congressional Gold Medals, and national and other medals produced by the United States Mint.  The CCAC also makes commemorative coin recommendations to the Secretary and advises on the events, persons, or places to be commemorated, as well as on the mintage levels and proposed designs.  The CCAC submits an annual report to Congress and the Secretary describing its activities and providing recommendations.

The Congressional leadership recommends candidates for four of the CCAC member positions to the Secretary of the Treasury.  The Secretary fills seven additional positions through an open application process.  The Secretary exercises direction and authority over the CCAC.  The United States Mint is responsible for providing the necessary administrative support, technical services, and advice to the CCAC.