October 26, 2006

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the following recent appointments to the Workers Compensation Board of Magistrates, the State Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision, and the Self-Insurers' Security Fund, Second Injury Fund, Silicosis, Dust Disease, and Logging Industry Compensation Fund Board of Trustees:

Workers' Compensation Board of Magistrates

Lee A. Decker of Brighton, partner with Groves Decker, P.C.  Mr. Decker is appointed for term expiring January 26, 2007.

The Workers' Compensation Board of Magistrates functions within the Department of Labor and Economic Growth.  The magistrates are responsible for conducting hearings in disputes that arise under the Workers' Disability Compensation Act of 1969 and for hearing cases related to workers' compensation claims.
 
This appointment is subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan State Constitution of 1963.  The appointment stands confirmed unless disapproved by the Michigan Senate within 60 days.

State Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision

Keith G. Clark of Harper Woods, assistant prosecuting attorney in the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.  Mr. Clark is appointed to represent crime victims for a term expiring October 31, 2009.  He succeeds Nancy Diehl whose term has expired.

Michelle M. Rick of DeWitt, deputy legal counsel in Governor Granholm's Executive Office.  Ms. Rick is appointed to represent the executive branch for a term expiring October 17, 2007.

John S. Rubitschun of Okemos, deputy director of field operations in the Michigan Department of Corrections.  Mr. Rubitschun is appointed to represent the compact administrator for a term expiring October 17, 2010.

The State Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision exercises oversight and advocacy concerning Michigan's participation in interstate commission activities, including the development of policies concerning operations and procedures of the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision within the state.  The Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision governs the travel, movement, and supervision of adult probationers or parolees from a sending state, where they have been convicted of crimes, to a receiving state.

These appointments are not subject to disapproval by the Michigan Senate.

Self-Insurers' Security Fund, Second Injury Fund, Silicosis, Dust Disease, and Logging Industry Compensation Fund Board of Trustees

Richard F. Zapala of Haslett, assistant general counsel at Accident Fund Insurance Company of America.  Mr. Zapala is appointed to represent the insurance industry for a term expiring April 30, 2010.  He succeeds James P. Dillon who has resigned.

The Self-Insurers' Security Board, Second Injury Fund, Silicosis, Dust Disease, and Logging Industry Compensation Fund Board of Trustees oversees the Funds Administration.  The Funds Administration is funded by insurers who write workers' compensation policies in the state and employers who self-insure their workers' compensation liability.  The board's assessments cover all benefits paid by the Funds Administration and all administrative and litigation costs.  Each of the three funds makes a separate assessment.

This appointment is subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan State Constitution of 1963.  The appointment stands confirmed unless disapproved by the Senate within 60 days.

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