RELEASE: Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 15, 2024

Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the following appointments to the Commission on Services to the Aging, Michigan Wheat Committee, State Land Bank Authority Board of Directors, Michigan Board of Occupational Therapists, Michigan Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, and the Library of Michigan Board of Trustees.

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.

Commission on Services to the Aging

Joy Murphy, of Kentwood, is currently retired and volunteers with the Michigan American Association of Retired Persons where she is a member of the state and Grand Rapids leadership teams. She has previously worked as a senior account manager at TDS Metrocom, a client development coordinator at US Xchange, and as an inside sales representative at Newark Electronics. Joy Murphy is reappointed to represent Democrats for a term commencing August 15, 2024, and expiring July 28, 2027.

Sandra “Tene” M. Ramsey, of Detroit, is an appointee of Wayne County Executive Warren C Evans with the Wayne County Inter-Governmental & External Affairs Department. She also serves as the director of the City of Detroit Senior Citizens Department and a former board member for the Detroit Area Agency on Aging. She holds a Master of Arts in clinical psychology from the Center for Humanistic Studies Graduate School, and a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies from Wayne State University. Sandra “Tene” M. Ramsey is reappointed to represent Democrats for a term commencing August 15, 2024, and expiring July 28, 2027.

Dennis Smith, of Marquette, is the president of Dennis H. Smith Consulting and the former president and CEO of the Upper Peninsula Health Plan. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Eastern Michigan University. Dennis Smith is reappointed to represent Independents for a term commencing August 15, 2024, and expiring July 28, 2027.

Shirley Tuggle, of Battle Creek, is a retired registered nurse. She has previously been an adjunct professor at Kellogg Community College, a quality assurance director at PACE, a quality assurance director at Select Specialty Hospital, and a nurse consultant at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. She holds a Bachelor of Science in healthcare from Western Michigan University and a Master of Science in nursing from Grand Valley State University. Shirley Tuggle is reappointed to represent Democrats for a term commencing August 15, 2024, and expiring July 28, 2027.

Arjan Kallou, of Troy, is a program operations director at United Community Family Services. She holds an associate's degree in health care technology and a Bachelor of Arts in Health Service Administration from Baker College. Arjan Kallou is reappointed to represent Independents for a term commencing August 15, 2024, and expiring July 28, 2027.

The Commission on Services to the Aging advises the Governor and Legislature on coordination and administration of state programs, changes in federal and state programs, and the nature and magnitude of aging priorities. The Commission also reviews and approves grants made by OSA and participates in development of the state plan and budget as required by the federal Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended.

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

Michigan Wheat Committee

James Doyle, of Grand Rapids, is the executive vice president of the King Milling Company. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Michigan State University. James Doyle is reappointed to represent District 9 growers for a term commencing August 15, 2024, and expiring May 31, 2027. 

Jason Dunning, of Fremont, is the district sales manager for Dairyland Seed Company-Corteva Agriscience. He holds a Bachelor of Science in agribusiness management from Michigan State University. Jason Dunning is reappointed to represent District 1 growers for a term commencing August 15, 2024, and expiring May 31, 2027. 

Lyn Uphaus, of Manchester, is the owner of Uphaus Farms. He holds an associate's degree in animal science from Michigan State University. Lyn Uphaus is reappointed to represent District 4 growers for a term commencing August 15, 2024, and expiring May 31, 2027.

The Michigan Wheat Promotion Committee seeks to promote the production and consumption of wheat grown in Michigan and assists in the agricultural research and development of wheat products.

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

State Land Bank Authority Board of Directors

Helen Lehman, of Ada, is the executive director of the New Development Corporation. She serves as a member of the Policy Committee and Neighborhoods and Communities Coalition for the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan. She also serves as founder and board vice chair of Catherine’s Care Center in Grand Rapids. Lehman has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts from Aquinas College. Helen Lehman is reappointed to represent a resident of the state for a term commencing Augst 15, 2024, and expiring July 31, 2028.

The State Land Bank Authority works to create a positive economic impact on Michigan communities by recycling land to productive use. They work in a coordinated manner to foster the development of property to promote and support land bank operations at the county and local levels.

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

Michigan Board of Occupational Therapists

Dr. Barry Lesnick, of West Bloomfield, is an optometrist at the Belleville Vision Center. Dr. Lesnick earned a Doctor of Optometry at the Illinois College of Optometry and holds a controlled substance license and a license in optometry. Dr. Barry Lesnick is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing August 15, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2025. Dr. Barry Lesnick succeeds David Oh whose term has expired.

The Michigan Board of Occupational Therapists works with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to promulgate rules for licensing occupational therapists and ascertaining minimal entry level competency of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants. 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 appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery

Delores Mitchell, of Lansing, is retired. She most recently worked as telemarketer at Labor Law Poster Service. Delores Mitchell earned a diploma in fashion design and interior design at the Institute of Merchandising and Design. Delores Mitchell is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing August 15, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2025. Mitchell succeeds Mathew Hauser whose term has expired.

The Michigan Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery regulates the practice of osteopathic medicine and surgery in the State of Michigan; provided for the examination, licensing and registration of osteopathic physicians and surgeons; and provided for the discipline of offenders against the Act. 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 and verifying continuing medical education during licensure. 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.

Library of Michigan Board of Trustees

Dr. Mia Murphy, of Lansing, is a chief policy officer at Michigan Association of State Universities. She has previously been a senior analyst in the State of Michigan Budget Office and a chairperson of the Associated Students of Michigan State University. She earned a PhD in higher, adult, and lifelong education from Michigan State University, a master's in international relations from the University of Chicago, and a Bachelor of Arts in political science and history from Michigan State University. Dr. Mia Murphy is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing August 15, 2024, and expiring October 1, 2026. Dr. Murphy succeeds Brian Larkin, whose term has expired.

Melissa Lambert, of Allen Park, is school library media specialist at Allen Park High School. Lambert received a Bachelor of Arts in history, geography, social studies, secondary education from Michigan State University, and a Master of library and information science from Dominican University. Melissa Lambert is appointed to represent K-12 school librarians for a term commencing August 15, 2024, and expiring October 1, 2026. Lambert succeeds Nancy Hmayed whose term has expired.

The Library of Michigan Board of Trustees makes recommendations to the Michigan Department of Education regarding the Library's services, budget, and proposed governing rules. The Board of Trustees also makes recommendations regarding the employment of other administrative and general assistants and employees of the Library as are necessary for the care and management of the Library, including the Law Library Branch of the Library.

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

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