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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* 

April 20, 2023 

Contact: [email protected]  

 

  

*Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions* 

* * 

*LANSING, Mich. —* Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the following appointments to the MEDC Executive Committee, Great Lakes Water Authority, Correctional Officers’ Training Council, Mackinac Island State Park Commission, and Michigan Board of Nursing Home Administrators. 

 

*MEDC Executive Committee* 

 

Dr. Bill Pink, of Big Rapids, is the 19th president of Ferris State University. Prior to Ferris State University, Dr. Pink served as president of Grand Rapids Community College and was vice president for academic affairs at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City Campus. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Oklahoma in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum, a Master of Education in Physical Education and Secondary Education from the University of Central Oklahoma, and a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Professional Education from Oklahoma Christian University. Dr. Pink is reappointed to represent public entities for a term commencing April 20, 2023, and expiring April 5, 2027. 

 

Dr. Pink is a member of the Higher Learning Commission board of trustees and serves on the American Council on Education board of directors. In West Michigan, he serves on the board of Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital West Michigan, is board chair for the Heart of West Michigan United Way, and is board vice-chair for The Right Place. Dr. Pink was first appointed to the MEDC Executive Committee in 2019. 

 

Lizabeth Ardisana, of Orchard Lake, is the principal owner of ASG Renaissance, a technical and communication services firm and Performance Driven Workforce, a scheduling and staffing firm. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Detroit, a Master of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Texas. Previously, she worked at Ford Motor Company for 14 years and held several management positions in vehicle development. Ms. Ardisana is reappointed to represent the private sector for a term commencing April 20, 2023, and expiring April 5, 2027. 

 

Ms. Ardisana is on the boards of Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Investment, Clean Energy Fuels, US Sugar, Focus:Hope, Kettering University, Metropolitan Affairs Coalition, Michigan Colleges Foundation, CS Mott Foundation, the Council of Michigan Foundations, and Wayne Health. She has also previously served on the President’s Task Force for Implementation of Alternative Fuel Vehicles and the Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition board. Ms. Ardisana was first appointed to the MEDC Executive Committee in 2011. 

 

Gina Jaquart Thorsen is the chief executive officer and co-owner of Jacquart Fabric Products, home of Stormy Kromer, where she is a third-generation leader for the 65-year-old family business. In 2022, Ms. Thorsen became the CEO after serving as President since 2009. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arts Management from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point and holds a Master of Arts Administration from Goucher College. Ms. Thorsen is appointed to represent the private sector for a term commencing April 20, 2023, and expiring April 5, 2027. She succeeds Chris MacInnes whose term has expired. 

 

Ms. Thorsen is the treasurer of the Small Business Association of Michigan where she serves on the board of directors and the leadership council. She also serves on the Federal Reserve Ninth District Advisory Council, the board of the Emberlight Arts Festival, and the board of the Ironwood Economic Development Corporation. 

 

Brian Rich, of Ann Arbor, is senior vice president and chief customer officer of CMS Energy Corporation and Consumers Energy Company, having been named to the position in 2019 and with the company since 2014. In this role, Rich is responsible for the company’s overall customer service, including customer programs such as economic development, electric transportation, and renewables. Previously, Rich served more than 14 years at Accenture and four years as a vice president at Pacific Gas and Electric Co. Rich holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from The George Washington University. Mr. Rich is appointed to represent the private sector for a term commencing April 20, 2023, and expiring April 5, 2027. He succeeds Jeff Noel who has resigned. 

 

Mr. Rich serves as campaign chair for the United Way of Jackson County, is a member of the Detroit Regional Partnership’s Leadership Circle, and as a board member for the Michigan Israel Business Accelerator. 

 

Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, of Flint, is the seventh president of Mott Community, a role she has held since 2014. Previously, she has served in senior leadership roles at Montgomery College in Maryland, Thomas Nelson Community College in Virginia, Houston Community College in Texas, and Spokane Community College in Washington. She holds a Ph.D in Philosophy in Child Development from Texas Woman’s University, a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling from Virginia State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Radio, Television and Film from Oklahoma State University. Dr. Walker-Griffea is appointed to represent public entities for a term commencing April 20, 2023, and expiring April 5, 2027. She succeeds Fritz Erickson who has resigned. 

 

Dr. Walker-Griffea serves on the boards of Michigan Community College Association Executive Committee, Flint & Genesee Group Governing Board, Greater Flint Health Coalition Executive Committee, McLaren-Flint Hospital, Bishop Airport Authority, Carriage Town Ministries, Metro Community Development, and Oklahoma State University Foundation Trustees. She has previously served on the Great Lakes Water Authority. 

 

Mr. Anthony Tomczak, of Commerce, is the vice president of electric sales and marketing for DTE Energy. He most recently served as vice president of corporate services and chief procurement officer where he was responsible for strategic management of the company’s procurement, supplier performance management, warehousing, fleet, facilities and real estate organizations. Tomczak earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University and a Master of Science in Industrial Operations from Lawrence Technological University. Mr. Tomczak is appointed to represent the private sector for a term commencing April 20, 2023, and expiring April 5, 2024. He succeeds David Meador who has resigned. 

 

Mr. Tomczak is a member of the Utility Purchasing Management Group Executive Committee, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation Board of Directors, Focus:Hope Advisory Board, Results Mentoring Board, Winning Futures Board of Directors, Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council Board of Directors, University of Idaho Energy Executive Advisory Board, Lawrence Technical University Engineering Advisory Board, and Electric Utility Industry Sustainable Supply Chain Alliance Board of Directors. 

 

The MEDC Executive Committee provides policy direction and guidance to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation regarding economic development program and initiatives, approves the MEDC corporate budget, and appoints the chief executive officer who administers all programs, funds, personnel, and all other administrative transactions of the MEDC. The MEDC Executive Committee supports the MEDC through governance, support to enable results-based action, and advocacy for the organization and economic development in Michigan.  

 

These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.   

 

*Great Lakes Water Authority* 

 

Mark Miller is a retired General Motors executive. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration and Business Management from the University of Michigan. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from Davenport University. Mr. Miller is appointed to represent a resident of an area served by the Authority outside of the city of Detroit and the counties of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb, for a term commencing April 20, 2023, and expiring December 12, 2026. He succeeds Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea whose term has expired. 

 

The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) was formally approved on October 10, 2014. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the state of Michigan, city of Detroit, and the counties of Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne, creating the regional water authority designed to leverage the assets of the Detroit-owned water and sewerage system. The Great Lakes Water Authority Board of Directors is a six-person board comprised of one member appointed from each county, two members appointed from the city of Detroit, and one member appointed by the Governor. 

 

This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.   

 

*Correctional Officers’ Training Council * 

 

Cary Johnson, of Lansing, is a corrections officer with the Michigan Department of Corrections and an elected union official with the Michigan Corrections Organization. She holds a Corrections Certificate from Jackson College. Ms. Johnson is appointed to represent state corrections officers for a term commencing April 20, 2023, and expiring March 29, 2026. She succeeds Ray Sholtz whose term has expired. 

 

Amy Cahoon, of Holt, is the director of the Office of Classification, Selection, and Compensation with the Michigan Civil Service Commission. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Michigan State University. Ms. Cahoon is reappointed to represent the State Personnel Director for a term commencing April 20, 2023, and expiring March 29, 2026. 

  

Sherman Campbell, of Jackson, is the warden at Gus Harrison Correctional Facility. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Northern Michigan University. Mr. Campbell is reappointed to represent the Department of Corrections for a term commencing April 20, 2023, and expiring March 29, 2026. 

  

The Correctional Officers’ Training Council establishes standards regarding training and education as prescribed in the Correctional Officer's Training Act. The Council develops, approves, and updates course content for the vocational certificate program, minimum requirements for recruitment and selection for new state corrections officers, and standards for the certification, recertification, and decertification of state corrections officers. 

  

These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. 

 

*Mackinac Island State Park Commission* 

 

Richard Manoogian is Chairman Emeritus of Masco Corporation. He holds a Bachelor of Art degree in Economics from Yale University. Mr. Manoogian is reappointed to represent Independents for a term commencing April 20, 2023, and expiring April 12, 2029. 

 

Philip Pierce is a managing member at Piece, Monroe, and Associates. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Wayne State University. Mr. Pierce is reappointed to represent Democrats for a term commencing April 20, 2023, and expiring April 12, 2029. 

 

The Mackinac Island State Park Commission was formed in 1895 and is responsible for all aspects of managing Mackinac State Historic Parks. The Commission retains and exercises its authority and responsibility for developing the mission, goals, policies, objectives and direction for the unique properties under its jurisdiction.   

 

These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. 

 

*Michigan Board of Nursing Home Administrators* 

 

Amanda Absher, of Spring Lake, is an investigator and advocate on the community and institutional rights team for Disability Rights Michigan. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Central Michigan University and her Juris Doctorate from Syracuse University. Ms. Absher is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing April 20, 2023, and expiring June 30, 2026. She succeeds Ian Koffler whose term has expired.  

 

The Michigan Board of Nursing Home Administrators was created to license nursing home administrators who plan, organize, direct, and control the total operation of nursing homes on behalf of the governing board or owner of a nursing home. The Board promotes and protects the public's health, safety, and welfare by ascertaining minimal entry-level competency of nursing home administrators.    

  

These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.   

 

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