RELEASE: Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions

October 24, 2024

Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the following appointments to the State of Michigan Investment Board, Autism Council, Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers with Developmental Disabilities, Health Endowment Fund Board, State Plumbing Board, Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice, Mental Health Diversion Council, and the Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect.

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.

State of Michigan Investment Board

Dina Richard, of Kewadin, is the senior vice president of strategic finance and chief investment officer for Trinity Health. Richard serves on the boards of the Detroit Institute of Arts, St Joseph Health System of Atlanta, Bon Secours Health System, Detroit Police and Fire Retirement Systems Investment Committee, and has been a member of the State of Michigan Investment Board since 2018. She is a certified public accountant and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan – Dearborn and a Master of Business Administration in finance and international business from Wayne State University. Richard is reappointed as an individual who has knowledge or experience in securities investment, pension administration, or pension law, past or current fiduciary oversight experience of investment pools similar to the Retirement System, or extensive professional financial knowledge and experience, for a term commencing November 27, 2024, and expiring November 26, 2028.

When the state pension plan governance structure was changed from a sole fiduciary model to a board model, fund investment responsibilities shifted from the state treasurer to the new State of Michigan Investment Board, created within the Michigan Department of Treasury. The board is comprised of the state treasurer, who will serve as the board’s chairperson, the state budget director, and three individuals, with institutional investment or extensive financial experience, appointed by the governor to serve four-year terms.

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

Autism Council

Rachelle Vartanian, of Northville, is the president and founder of Living and Learning Enrichment Center. Vartanian has obtained a Master of Arts in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from Madonna University, a Master of Arts in educational psychology from Eastern Michigan University, and a bachelor’s degree in special education K-12 autism spectrum disorders. Rachelle Vartanian is appointed as an individual who has a family member who has ASD for a term commencing October 24, 2024, and expiring September 30, 2028. Rachelle Vartanian succeeds Martin Baum, whose term has expired. 

Dr. Jacob Daar, of Marquette, is an associate professor of psychology and director of the behavior education assessment and research center (BEAR) at Northern Michigan University. Dr. Daar is a board-certified behavior analyst and has previously served as an assistant professor at Northern Michigan University. Dr. Daar received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and sociology from the University of South Florida, a Master of Arts in applied behavior analysis from the University of South Florida, and a Doctor of Philosophy in rehabilitation (behavior analysis and therapy) from Southern Illinois University. Dr. Jacob Daar is reappointed to represent state universities for a term commencing October 24, 2024, and expiring September 30, 2028.

Dr. Neelkamal Soares, of Portage, is currently a developmental-behavioral pediatrician at Bronson Methodist Hospital, an adjunct professor in the pediatrics department at University of Michigan. Dr. Soares received a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Bombay Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College. He completed his residency training in pediatrics at the University of Illinois Chicago and his post-residency fellowship in developmental-behavioral pediatrics at the University of Maryland – Baltimore. Dr. Soares is reappointed as a physician representing health care providers servicing individuals with ASD for a term commencing October 24, 2024, and expiring September 30, 2028.

Dr. Colleen Allen, of Northville, is the president and chief executive officer of The Autism Alliance of Michigan. Dr. Allen is the founder and former director of the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities at Henry Ford Health System. Dr. Allen is a licensed speech-language pathologist, and she earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology and speech/language sciences from the University of Michigan, a Master of Science in speech-language pathology from Boston University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in speech-language pathology from Wayne State University. She also serves on the boards of Incompass Michigan, PBS Detroit, and the Mayor’s Workforce Development Board for the City of Detroit. Dr. Colleen Allen is reappointed to represent a non-profit organization serving those with ASD for a term commencing October 24, 2024, and expiring September 30, 2028.

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.

Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers with Developmental Disabilities

Monica Gaines, of Inkster, is a program coordinator at Healthy Families America Wayne. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from the University of Michigan – Dearborn and a Master of Business Administration in finance from Eastern Michigan University. Monica Gaines is reappointed as a member selected by the governor for a term commencing November 1, 2024, and expiring October 31, 2028.

Lindsay Galicki, of Jackson, is a speech-language pathologist at Jackson County Intermediate School District and a Voices of Early Intervention Presenter at Clinton County RESA’s Office of Innovative Projects. Galicki is a certified in speech-language pathologist and obtained a Bachelor of Science in communication disorders and a Master of Arts in speech-language pathology from Central Michigan University. Lindsay Galicki is appointed to represent public or private providers of early intervention services for a term commencing November 1, 2024, and expiring October 31, 2028. Galicki succeeds Cheryl Granzo, whose term has expired.

Dr. Tamela Mannes, of Zeeland, is the director of district improvement and early childhood for Ottawa Area Intermediate School District. Dr. Mannes was previously a teacher of special and general education at Hamilton Community Schools. Dr. Mannes received a bachelor's degree in psychology with a special education emphasis, a Master of Education in early childhood special education, and an Administrator Certificate with a general and special education approval from Grand Valley State University. She received a Doctor of Philosophy in special education with an emphasis in teacher education and early literacy from Michigan State University. Dr. Mannes is reappointed to represent public or private providers of early intervention services for a term commencing November 1, 2024, and expiring October 31, 2028.

The Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council (MICC) is authorized and required by Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as amended by Public Law 105-17. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is designated as the lead agency for the state of Michigan. The MICC is charged with advising and assisting MDE in the development and implementation of a statewide, comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency system that provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.

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

Health Endowment Fund Board

Quan Gerville-Reache, of Grand Rapids, is the chief executive officer and chief information officer of Greenville Asset Management. Gerville-Reache has over 26 years of public and private investment experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science in communications with a minor in political science and a Master of Business Administration in economics, strategy, marketing, and managerial decision making. Quan Gerville-Reache is appointed upon recommendation by the Senate Majority Leader for a term commencing October 24, 2024, and expiring October 1, 2028. She succeeds Henry Veenstra, whose term has expired.

The Michigan Health Endowment Fund Board was created as a result of the Nonprofit Health Care Corporation Reform Act. The Fund's purpose is to benefit health and wellness through funding of programs for minor children and seniors through the state with a significant focus on infant mortality, wellness and fitness programs, access to healthy food, technology enhancements, health-related transportation needs, and foodborne illness prevention.

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

State Plumbing Board

Timothy Danielak, of Beaverton, is a licensed journeyman plumber and business representative at United Association Local 85. Danielak also serves as a city council member for the City of Beaverton. He holds an associate degree in applied science and industrial training. Timothy Danielak is reappointed as a licensed journeyman plumber for a term commencing October 24, 2024, and expiring July 29, 2028.

The State Plumbing Board's duties include making recommendations for plumbing code rules, licensing plumbers, and making all orders, rules, and regulations necessary for the enforcement of the provisions of the act.

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

Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice

Qamar Stamos, of Grand Blanc, is a senior assistant prosecuting attorney at Oakland County. She previously served as judicial advisory assistant at Genesee County. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Wayne State University and a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University. Qamar Stamos is appointed as a prosecutor for a term commencing October 24, 2024, and expiring August 2, 2027. She succeeds Jamie Wisniewski, whose term has expired.

The Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice was created by Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order No. 2022-7 which abolished the committee restructured by Executive Order No. 2017-12 and recreates this Committee in alignment with the requirements of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. Under the Executive Order, the Committee is tasked with the development and review of the state’s juvenile justice plan.

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

Mental Health Diversion Council

Morgan Stephens, of Canton, is a policy analyst at the Executive Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts in communication, leadership, and event management from Central Michigan University. Morgan Stephens is appointed as the designee of the lieutenant governor from within the Lieutenant Governor’s Office for a term commencing October 24, 2024, and expiring at the pleasure of the governor. She succeeds Algeria Wilson.

The Mental Health Diversion Council was created in the Michigan Department of Community Health to advise and assist in the implementation of the Diversion Action Plan and provide recommendations for statutory, contractual or procedural changes to improve diversion.

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

Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect

Claudnyse Holloman, of Waterford, is the president and chief executive officer of Voices for Children Advocacy Center and an attorney for Holloman and Holloman Legal Services. She is a licensed attorney with the Michigan State Bar. Holloman obtained a Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in English and political science from Clarke University. Claudnyse Holloman is appointed as a child advocate, including both attorneys for children and court-appointed special advocates, for a term commencing October 24, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2024. Claudnyse Holloman succeeds Patricia Sabin, who has resigned.

Created by Executive Order 2013-4, rescinding Executive Order 2010-18, the Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect was established within the Department of Human Services and is designed as a multidisciplinary task force for the purposes of the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. The Task Force consists of 18 members appointed by the Governor for three-year terms who are professionals with knowledge and experience relating to the criminal justice system and issues of child physical abuse, child neglect, child sexual abuse and exploitation, and child maltreatment-related fatalities.

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

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