RELEASE: Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE?

November 2, 2023?

Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions?

LANSING, Mich. ? Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the following appointments to Michigan Public Safety Communications Interoperability Board, Michigan Propane Commission, Michigan Board of Chiropractic, Michigan Board of Physical Therapy, Michigan Board of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons, Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine, Board of Cosmetology, Michigan Task Force on Physician's Assistants, and Rural Development Fund Board.?

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.?

Michigan Public Safety Communications Interoperability Board?

Matthew Sahr, of Macomb, is the president of the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union, as well as working as a firefighter in the city of Eastpointe. He also has professional experience in dispatch. He holds an associate degree in fire science from Macomb Community College. He is reappointed to represent local emergency first responders for a term commencing November 2, 2023, and expiring April 30, 2027.?

Ed Miller, of Sault Ste. Marie, has been the fire chief of Sault Ste. Marie since April 2022. Prior to this, he was the assistant fire chief of Sterling Heights. He holds an associate degree in applied sciences from Macomb Community College. He also has experience as an adjunct professor teaching fire and EMS education to the next generation of first responders. He is reappointed to represent local emergency first responders for a term commencing November 2, 2023, and expiring April 30, 2027.?

The Michigan Public Safety Communications Interoperability Board oversees the Michigan's Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS), an 800/700 MHz radio system and telecommunications network that also provides public safety specific applications integrated into the network. The Board is responsible for advising the governor on all interoperability aspects of current and future technology in the state to ensure the public safety community is well prepared today and in the future with the emergency communications ecosystem. ??

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

Michigan Propane Commission?

Aaron Huizenga, of Kewadin, is the east division manager of Lakes Gas Company and a member of the Michigan Propane Gas Association Board of Directors. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Michigan. He is reappointed to represent individuals engaged in the retail propane industry in this state as an employee or owner of a retail propane marketer for not less than two years immediately before appointment, for a term commencing November 2, 2023, and expiring July 1, 2026.?

Brad Morrill, of Grand Rapids, is the Chief Customer Experience Officer for Crystal Flash, Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Science in business and a Master of Business Administration in marketing & strategy from the University of Minnesota. He received an honorable discharge from the United States Army in 1991 where he served as a member of Presidential Honor Guard. He is appointed to represent individuals engaged in the retail propane industry in this state as an employee or owner of a retail propane marketer for not less than two years immediately before appointment, for a term commencing November 2, 2023, and expiring July 1, 2026. He succeeds Tom Olive whose term has expired.?

The Propane Commission was created by Public Act 332 of 2020 to educate residents, business owners, and other users of propane on the safe use of propane, and to promote the use of high efficiency appliances and equipment through rebate and incentive programs for Michigan residents. ?

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

Michigan Board of Chiropractic?

Patrica Odette, of Woodhaven, has been the Mayor of Woodhaven since 2009. Aside from her elected role, she is an owner and chiropractor with Odette Chiropractic Family Health Center in Brownstown, and runs an organization called the Animal Resource Funding Foundation, a veterinary chiropractor at Woodhaven Animal Hospital. Odette holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Elmhurst College and a Doctorate of Chiropractic from the?National University of Health Sciences?in Illinois. Patricia Odette is reappointed to represent chiropractors for a term beginning January 1, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2027.?

Joel Kirsch, of Huntington Woods, has been practicing as a chiropractor?with Birmingham Chiropractic Clinic?in Birmingham since 2007. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from the National University of Health Sciences. Kirsch also holds a Doctorate of Chiropractic from the National University of Health Sciences. Joel Kirsch is reappointed to represent chiropractors for a term beginning January 1, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2027.?

The Michigan Board of Chiropractic was originally formed with the enactment of Public Act 145 of 1933. On September 30, 1978, this authority was transferred to the Public Health Code, Public Act 368 of 1978, as amended. The "practice of chiropractic" means that discipline within the healing arts that deals with the human nervous system and the musculoskeletal system and their interrelationship with other body systems. The Board also has the obligation to take disciplinary action against licensees who have adversely affected the public's health, safety, and welfare. The board works with the department to oversee the practice of approximately 2,863 chiropractors.?

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

Michigan Board of Physical Therapy??

Erica Sherman, of Goodrich, is a physical therapist at Hurley Medical Center in Flint. She also serves as a clinical assistant professor and co-associate director of clinical education at the University of Michigan ? Flint. Sherman holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and Rehabilitation from Central Michigan University, a Master of Business Administration from Northwood University, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy also from Central Michigan University. ?Sherman is reappointed to represent physical therapists for a term commencing January 1, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2027. ?

The Michigan Board of Physical Therapy was originally formed with the enactment of Public Act 164 of 1965. The Public Health Code mandates certain responsibilities and duties for a health professional licensing board. Underlying all duties is the responsibility of the board to promote and protect the public's health, safety, and welfare. This responsibility is implemented by the Board by ascertaining minimal entry level competency of health practitioners. The Board also has the obligation to take disciplinary action against licensees who have adversely affected the public's health, safety, and welfare.?

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

Michigan Board of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons?

Chase L. Cantrell, of Detroit, is the executive director and founder of Building Community Value, a Detroit-based nonprofit dedicated to implementing and facilitating real estate development projects in underserved Detroit neighborhoods. An alumnus of the University of Michigan Law School, Chase specialized in real estate and corporate law and has facilitated corporate and real estate acquisitions, sales, and other complex transactions for clients of all sizes? from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies. Chase is reappointed to represent the general public for a term commencing November 2, 2023, and expiring June 30, 2027. ?

The Michigan Board of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons was created under Article 25 of Public Act 299 of 1980, as amended, to license and regulate the practice of real estate brokers and salespersons in Michigan. The Board works with the Department to oversee the practice of real estate salespersons, associate real estate brokers, real estate brokers, and branch offices.?

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

Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine??

Caitlin O?Rourke, of Lansing, is an associate with Capitol Fundraising Associates where she works with non-profit organizations and assists in planning and execution of fundraising events. O?Rourke has a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Grand Valley State University. O?Rourke is reappointed to represent the general public for a term commencing January 1, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2027. ?

The Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine was originally formed with the enactment of Public Act 156 of 1956. The Public Health Code mandates certain responsibilities and duties for a health professional licensing board. Underlying all duties is the responsibility of the Board to promote and protect the public's health, safety, and welfare. This responsibility is implemented by the Board by ascertaining minimal entry level competency of health practitioners. The Board also has the obligation to take disciplinary action against licensees who have adversely affected the public's health, safety, and welfare. The Board works with the Department to oversee Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians.?

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

Michigan Board of Cosmetology??

Jaclyn Turner, of Southfield, is an executive stylist and makeup artist at Luxe the Beauty Escape, LLC. Turner is a certified cosmetologist. She received her Bachelor of Arts in fashion design from the International Academy of Design & Technology. Jaclyn is reappointed to represent cosmetologists for a term commencing January 1, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2027. ?

The Michigan Board of Cosmetology was created under Article 12 of Public Act 299 of 1980, as amended, to license and regulate the practice of cosmetology in Michigan. Article 12 defines cosmetology as one of the following services or a combination of the following services: Hair care services, skin care services, manicuring services, and electrology. The members of the cosmetology industry who are licensed by the department include schools of cosmetology, both public and private, beauty shops, cosmetologists, manicurists, cosmetology instructors, electrologists, estheticians (skin care specialists), and natural hair culturists (braiders).?

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

Michigan Task Force on Physician's Assistants??

Michael Coraci, of West Bloomfield, works at William Beaumont Hospital under Dr. Richard Silbergleit in Interventional Radiology. Coraci has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Oakland University and a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Wayne State University. Michael Coraci is reappointed to represent physician?s assistants for a term commencing January 1, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2027.?

Danielle Richards, of Lansing, is a primary care provider at Sparrow Medical Group in Lansing. Richards holds a Bachelor of Science in Physiology from Michigan State University and a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Grand Valley State University.?Danielle Richards is reappointed to represent physician?s assistants for a term commencing January 1, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2027.?

The Committee on Physician's Assistants was formed with the enactment of Public Act 420 of 1976, signed by the Governor on January 9, 1977. The Act regulated the practice of physician's assistants in the State of Michigan, providing a system to determine and approve the qualifications of physician's assistants, creating a committee on physician's assistants, prescribing its powers and duties, and prescribing penalties. ?

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

Rural Development Fund Board?

Chris Germain, of Marquette, is CEO of the Lake Superior Community Partnership. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from Northern Michigan University. He also holds a Master of City and Regional Planning from Ohio State University. He is appointed to represent democrats and the Upper Peninsula for a term commencing November 2, 2023, and expiring December 31, 2026. He succeeds Margaret Minerick whose term has expired.?

Justin Horvath, of Owosso, is the president and CEO of the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Economics, and a Master of Public Policy, all from the University of Michigan. He is reappointed to represent independents and the lower peninsula for a term commencing November 2, 2023, and expiring December 31, 2026.?

The Rural Development Fund Board, housed in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, has oversight of the Rural Development Fund. The Board is charged with advising the Department on how to distribute tax revenue collected from mines to improve and strengthen local communities.??

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

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