Governor Whitmer Header

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* 

March 6, 2025 

Contact: [email protected]  

  

*Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions* 

 

*LANSING, Mich. —* Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced appointments to the following boards and commissions: Education Commission of the States; Midwestern Higher Education Compact; Michigan Tree Fruit Commission; Health Information Technology Commission; Michigan Community Corrections Board; Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification; Michigan Freedom Trail Commission; and the Michigan Correctional Officer’s Training Council. 

 

_*Education Commission of the States*_ 

Emma Young, of Lansing, is the policy advisor for education in the Executive Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Young also serves on the Midwestern Higher Education Compact and holds a Bachelor of Arts in international relations and social relations and policy from Michigan State University. Emma Young is appointed as the governor’s proxy for a term commencing March 6, 2025, and expiring at the pleasure of the Governor. Young succeeds Stephanie O’Dea, who has resigned. 

 

The Education Commission of the States was created by an interstate compact approved by Congress to improve public education by facilitating the exchange of information among state policymakers and education leaders. As a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that includes delegations from all US states and territories, the ECS creates unique opportunities to build partnerships, share information, and promote data-driven policy. The current interim chair of the executive committee is Nevada Assemblymember Brittany Miller. 

 

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

 

_*Midwestern Higher Education Compact*_ 

Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, of Flint, is the director of the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential. Previously, Dr. Walker-Griffea was the president of Mott Community College and served on the MEDC Executive Committee. Dr. Beverly holds a Doctor of Philosophy in child development from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas, a Master of Education in guidance and counseling from Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia, and a Bachelor of Science in radio, television and film: news and public affairs from Oklahoma State University. Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea is appointed as the director of the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential for a term commencing April 3, 2025, and expiring at the pleasure of the Governor. 

 

The Midwestern Higher Education Compact is to provide greater higher education opportunities and services in the Midwestern region, with the aim of furthering regional access to, research in, and choice of higher education for the citizens residing in the several states which are parties to this Compact. The Midwestern Higher Education Commission consists of five resident members of each state: The Governor or the Governor's designee, a legislator from each house, and two other at-large members.   

  

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

 

_*Michigan Tree Fruit Commission*_ 

David Smeltzer, of Bear Lake, has been the owner of West Wind Orchards, LLC since 2007 and was a partner at Per-Clin Orchards, Inc. for the 28 years prior. Smeltzer currently serves as chair of the Michigan Cherry Committee and holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Alma College. David Smeltzer is appointed to represent District 1 growers for a term commencing March 6, 2025, and expiring March 1, 2028. David Smeltzer succeeds Mark Miezio, whose term has expired. 

 

Daniel Dietrich, of Conklin, is the owner and operator of Ridgeview Orchards. Dietrich holds a degree from Sparta High School. Daniel Dietrich is reappointed to represent District 2 growers for a term commencing March 6, 2025, and expiring March 1, 2028. 

 

Gerrit Herrygers, of Hart, is the lead sales representative and certified crop advisor for Wilbur-Ellis Company and a farmer with Herrygers Farms. Herrygers holds a Bachelor of Science in agribusiness management from Michigan State University. Gerrit Herrygers is reappointed to represent District 2 growers for a term commencing March 6, 2025, and expiring March 1, 2028. 

 

The Michigan Tree Fruit Commission is a board that aims to improve the economic position of Michigan tree fruit growers by creating greater marketing opportunities.  This is done by performing market research, disseminating market information, and expanding markets for tree fruit. 

  

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

 

_*Health Information Technology Commission*_ 

Allison Brenner, of Plymouth, is a licensed pharmacist and the senior director of clinical informatics at Pfizer. Brenner holds a Master of Science in health infrastructure and learning systems and a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Michigan. Allison Brenner is reappointed to represent the pharmaceutical industry for a term commencing March 6, 2025, and expiring August 3, 2028. 

 

The Michigan Health Information Technology (HIT) Commission's mission is to facilitate and promote the design, implementation, operation, and maintenance of an interoperable health care information infrastructure in Michigan.   

    

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

 

_*Michigan Community Corrections Board*_ 

Eric Winstrom, of Grand Rapids, is the chief of the Grand Rapids Police Department, where he has served since 2022. Winstrom previously served as a commander in the Chicago Police Department. Winstrom holds a Bachelor of Art in the administration of justice from Rutgers University and a Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School. Eric Winstrom is appointed as a chief of a city police department for a term commencing March 6, 2025, and expiring March 31, 2028. Winstrom succeeds Natalie Thompson, whose term has expired. 

 

The Michigan Community Corrections Board serves in an advisory capacity to the Director of the Michigan Department of Corrections and is charged with approving many components of community corrections programs including goals, eligibility criteria, program guidelines, program standards and policies, the application process, procedures for funding, and criteria for evaluation.   

  

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

 

_*Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification*_

Oliver Gross, of Oxford, is the senior fellow of energy storage and electrification at Stellantis. Gross serves on the Moxion Power Corporate Advisory Board, the Calix Technical Advisory Committee, and the AnteoTech Scientific Advisory Board. Gross holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Applied Science in materials science from the University of Toronto. Oliver Gross is appointed to represent business, policy, research, or technological leaders in future mobility for a term commencing March 6, 2025, and expiring October 21, 2025. Gross succeeds Gary Oshnock, who has resigned. 

 

Michigan CFME must provide to the director of the Department, the Governor, and the legislature recommendations regarding changes in state policy to ensure Michigan continues to be the world leader in future mobility and electrification, including autonomous and connected vehicle technology, electric powertrain technology and charging infrastructure, and diverse mobility such as shared and transit. The Council must submit such recommendations on an annual basis.   

 

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

 

_*Michigan Freedom Trail Commission*_ 

Amanda Campbell Crawford, of Harrisville, is an instructor at Alpena Community College and an archaeologist with the USDA Forest Service. Campbell Crawford holds a Bachelor of Arts in history and English from Albion College and a Master of Arts in historical archaeology and ethnohistory from Western Michigan University. Amanda Campbell Crawford is reappointed as a member knowledgeable in historic preservation for a term commencing March 6, 2025, and expiring February 1, 2029. 

 

George Bayard III, of Kentwood, is the owner and executive director of the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives (GRAAMA). Bayard previously owned Bayard Art Consulting, which evolved into Bayard Gallery of Fine African American Art and Books. Bayard holds a Bachelor of Arts in art education from the University of Delaware. George Bayard III is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing March 6, 2025, and expiring February 1, 2029. Bayard succeeds Priscilla Robinson, whose term has expired. 

 

Dr. Carolyn Carter is a self-employed researcher and public historian and was previously a civil rights historian with the National Parks Service. Prior to joining NPS, Carter served as vice president for institutional advancement and external engagement at Saint Augustine’s University and as the chief development officer for Wayne County Community College District, where she also served as an adjunct instructor teaching anthropology and genealogy. Carter holds a Bachelor of Arts in instructional design from Ashford University, a Master of Arts in public and oral history from the American Public University System, and a Doctor of Education from Kansas State University. Carolyn Carter is appointed as a member of the academic community knowledgeable in African American History for a term commencing March 6, 2025, and expiring February 1, 2029. Carter succeeds Roy Finkenbine, whose term has expired. 

 

Jamon Jordan, of Detroit, is a historian, tour leader, and the founder of Black Scroll Network History & Tours and a lecturer with the University of Michigan’s Semester in Detroit program. In 2021, Jordan was appointed as the city of Detroit’s first official historian. Jordan holds a Bachelor of Science in black americana studies and sociology from Western Michigan University. Jamon Jordan is reappointed as a member actively involved in civil rights issues for a term commencing March 6, 2025, and expiring February 1, 2029. 

 

Jennifer Evans, of Farmington Hills, is the senior director of exhibitions and collections at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Evans has held positions of increasing responsibility at the museum since 2010. Evans holds a Bachelor of Arts in film, cinema, and video studies from the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts in media studies from Wayne State University. Jennifer Evans is appointed as an at-large member and representative of the museum of African American history located in the city of Detroit for a term commencing March 6, 2025, and expiring February 1, 2027. Evans succeeds Patrina Chatman, who has passed.  

 

The Michigan Freedom Trail Commission preserves, protects and promotes the rich legacy of the Underground Railroad and the antislavery movement in Michigan.  

 

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

 

_*Michigan Correctional Officer’s Training Council*_ 

Kenneth McKee, of Saranac, is the former deputy director of correctional facilities administration at the Michigan Department of Corrections. McKee holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Central Michigan University. Kenneth McKee is appointed as a member of the general public for a term commencing March 6, 2025, and expiring March 29, 2027. McKee succeeds Jason Sides, whose term has expired. 

 

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.  

    

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

 

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