Governor Whitmer Header [ [link removed] ]

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

October 11, 2023

Contact: [email protected]

?

*Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions*

*?*

*LANSING, Mich. ?* Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the following appointments to the Autism Council, Ski Area Safety Board, Michigan Appellate Defender Commission, Early Childhood Investment Corporation Executive Committee, and State Transportation Commission.

?

Today?s appointees represent Michigan?s young professionals, communities of color, seniors, and more. The appointees announced this week build on Governor Whitmer?s work to ensure appointees reflect Michigan?s diverse population. Sixty percent of appointees are women or people of color, and the Whitmer cabinet is the most diverse in Michigan history.

?

*Autism Council*

?

Dana Lasenby, of Southfield, is a CEO and executive director for Oakland Community Health Network ? OCHN. Ms. Lasenby holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Michigan State University; a Master of Arts in counseling psychology from Western Michigan University; a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix; and enrolled in a doctoral program in Industrial Organizational Psychology at Walden University. Ms. Lasenby is reappointed to represent pre-paid inpatient health plans or local community mental health service programs for a term commencing October 11, 2023, and expiring September 30, 2027.?

?

Francisco Vaca, of Potterville, is a coordinator for the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition. Mr. Vaca has studied at Lansing Community College where he completed his general studies. Along with autism advocacy, he has also advocated for LGBTQ+ issues. Mr. Vaca is reappointed to represent individuals with ASD or that have a family member with ASD for a term commencing October 11, 2023, and expiring September 30, 2027.

?

Amy Matthews, Ph.D., of Grand Haven, is a professor at Grand Valley State University and director of the Autism Education Center. Dr. Matthews received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and applied behavior analysis from Binghamton University. Dr. Matthews is reappointed to represent state funded initiatives for a term commencing October 11, 2023, and expiring September 30, 2027.?

?

Steven Tunnicliff, Ph.D., of Flushing, is the superintendent of Genesee Intermediate School District. Dr. Tunnicliff obtained a Bachelor of Science in secondary education from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor; a Master of Arts-Administration of Secondary Education in educational leadership from Central Michigan University; and a Doctor of Philosophy in educational leadership and education specialist-educational leadership from Oakland University. He is also the president-elect of the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators. Dr. Tunicliff is appointed to represent school systems for a term commencing October 11, 2023, and expiring September 30, 2027.? He succeeds Lauren Ringle, whose term has expired.

?

The Autism Council is charged with overseeing Michigan's Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) State Plan. The Council will implement, monitor, and update the Michigan ASD State Plan which will provide for comprehensive, lifespan supports to individuals with ASD and their families through access to information and resources, coordination of services, and implementation of evidence-based practices.

?

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

*?*

*Ski Area Safety Board*

?

Tom Wheat, of Kalamazoo, is a licensed engineer and senior project manager at Prein and Newhof. Mr. Wheat has also worked extensively with two Sewer & Water Authorities in Kalamazoo County, as well as the Kalamazoo Regional Water and Wastewater Commission and serves on its joint administration and technical committee. He received his Bachelor of Science in engineering from the University of Michigan. Mr. Wheat is reappointed to represent engineers with ski experience for a term commencing October 11, 2023, and expiring June 8, 2027.

?

The Michigan Ski Area Safety Board was created to license and regulate ski areas and ski lifts in Michigan. The Board works with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to oversee the operation of ski areas, surface and chair lifts, and rope tows.??

???

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

*?*

*Michigan Appellate Defender Commission*

*?*

Judith Gracey, of Bloomfield Hills, is the managing attorney at The Gracey Law Firm, a firm she has operated for over 30 years. She is a former member of the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission and has served on the Michigan Appellate Defender Commission since 2007. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Brown University and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Cincinnati. She is reappointed to represent the State Bar of Michigan for a term commencing October 11, 2023, and expiring May 24, 2027.

?

Brandy Robinson, of Detroit, is a managing attorney of criminal practice for the Neighborhood Defender Service of Detroit. She is a former vice chair of the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission, a past chair of the State Bar of Michigan Young Lawyers Section, and a past member of the State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and African American Studies and Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan. She is appointed to represent the State Bar of Michigan for a term commencing October 11, 2023, and expiring May 24, 2027. She succeeds Douglas Mains, whose term has expired.

?

Janet Welch, of Leland, is the Principal of Impetus Law Consulting. Previously, she had an extensive career in state government, including time as general counsel for the Michigan Supreme Court, and worked as the executive director of the State Bar of Michigan for 15 years. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Albion College and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School. She currently serves as a co-chair on the Regulatory and Practice Reform Committee for the Michigan Justice for All Commission, as a delegate of the American Bar Association House of Delegates, and as a board member for the Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society. She is appointed to represent the Supreme Court of Michigan for a term commencing October 11, 2023, and expiring May 24, 2027. She succeeds Thomas McNeill, whose term has expired.

?

Conor Dugan, of Grand Rapids, is a partner at SouthBank Legal. Previously, he was senior counsel at Warner Norcross & Judd, counsel at Varnum LLP, counsel at Bancroft PLLC, and an appellate attorney in the US Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Government from Dartmouth College and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Notre Dame Law School. He is appointed to represent the Supreme Court of Michigan for a term commencing October 11, 2023, and expiring May 24, 2027. He succeeds Thomas Cranmer, whose term has expired.

?

The Michigan Appellate Defender Commission is responsible for the development of a system of indigent appellate defense services which shall include services provided by the office of the state appellate defender and locally appointed private counsel. The Commission will be responsible for the development of minimum standards to which all indigent criminal defense appellate services shall conform and will compile and keep current a statewide roster of attorneys eligible for and willing to accept appointment by an appropriate court to serve as criminal appellate defense counsel for indigents.

?

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

*?*

*Early Childhood Investment Corporation Executive Committee*?

*?*

Kenyatta Stephens, of Farmington Hills, is the CEO of Black Family Development Inc. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Registered Nursing and Nursing Administration from the University of Michigan, holds a Master of Psychiatry from the University of Pennsylvania. She serves on the Steering Committee for the Detroit Campaign for Grade Level Reading with 313 Reads and has served on the Early Childhood Investment Corporation Executive Committee since 2019. She is reappointed for a term commencing October 11, 2023, and expiring July 22, 2027.

?

Ann Cameron, of Brimley, is the head start director for the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan and has worked with the organization for over 35 years. She is also an early childhood education student advisor at Bay Mills Community College and is a Senior Fellow at the Michigan State University Tribal Early Childhood Research Center. Ann is also the president of the Ojibwe Charter School Board of Education, and she serves on the board of the National Indian Head Start Directors Association. She graduated from Bay Mills Community College with an associate degree in early childhood development and education. She is reappointed for a term commencing October 11, 2023, and expiring July 22, 2027.

?

Kristi Krafft-Bellsky, of Frankenmuth, is a principal and quality control director at Yeo & Yeo, CPAs and Advisors. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Science in Accountancy from Western Michigan University and is a licensed CPA in Michigan. She is appointed for a term commencing October 11, 2023, and expiring July 22, 2027. She succeeds Nkechy Ezeh, whose term has expired.

*?*

The Early Childhood Investment Corporation was created to be the state's focal point for information and investment in early childhood education in Michigan so that children can arrive at the kindergarten door, safe, healthy, and eager for learning and life. The Investment Corporation was founded in 2005 and charged with implementing a Great Start system for Michigan both at the state and community level.

?

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

?

*State Transportation Commission*

?

Suzanne Schulz, of Grand Rapids, is the Urban Planning Practice Leader at Progressive AE, an architecture firm. She has previously worked in various planning roles with the city of Grand Rapids, including on several road and transportation projects. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban and regional planning from Michigan State University. She has also previously served on the Complete Streets Advisory Council. She is appointed for a term commencing October 11, 2023, and expiring December 21, 2024. She succeeds Gregory Johnson who has resigned.

?

The State Transportation Commission establishes policy for the Michigan Department of Transportation in relation to transportation programs and facilities and other such works as related to transportation development, as provided by law. Responsibilities of the Commission include the development and implementation of comprehensive transportation plans for the entire state, including aeronautics, bus and rail transit, providing professional and technical assistance, and overseeing the administration of state and federal funds allocated for these programs.

?

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

*?*

###

?

STAY CONNECTED: Visit us on Facebook [ [link removed] ] Visit us on Twitter [ [link removed] ] [ [link removed] ]Sign up for email updates [ [link removed] ] [ [link removed] ] ?

Subscriber Services::
Manage Preferences [ [link removed] ]??|??Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ]??|??Help [ [link removed] ]

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Bookmark and Share [ [link removed] ]?



________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Executive Office of the Governor ? 111 S. Capitol Ave ? Lansing, Michigan 48901 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]