LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the following recent appointments and reappointments:

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

Susan R. Azar of Northville, manager of workers' compensation for General Motors Corporation, is appointed to represent employers authorized to act as self-insurers for a term expiring April 30, 2012.  She succeeds Mary L. Child who has resigned. 

The Self-Insurers' Security Fund, Second Injury Fund, Silicosis, Dust Disease, and Logging Industry Compensation Fund Board of Trustees oversees the Funds Administration, which is funded 100 percent by insurers who write workers' compensation policies in the state of Michigan, and employers who self-insure their workers' compensation liability.  These assessments cover all benefits paid by the Funds Administration and all administrative and litigation costs.  Each of the three funds makes a separate assessment.  The Second Injury Fund and Silicosis, Dust Disease and Logging Industry Compensation Fund assessments are paid by insurance companies and self-insured employers.  The Self-Insurers' Security Fund assessments are made against only private self-insured employers.

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

Civil Rights Commission
 
Lisa P. Peeples-Hurst, a Democrat of St. Joseph, prevention specialist for Berrien County Health Department, is appointed for a term expiring December 31, 2009.  She succeeds Tarun K. Sharma whose term has expired.

Kelvin W. Scott, a Democrat of Grosse Pointe Park, vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Plastech Engineered Products, Inc., is reappointed for a term expiring December 31, 2011.

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission investigates alleged discrimination against any person because of religion, race, color, national origin, sex, age, marital status, height, weight, arrest record, or physical or mental disabilities and works to secure the equal protection of such civil rights without discrimination.

This appointment and reappointment are subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan State Constitution of 1963.  They stand confirmed unless disapproved by the Senate within 60 days.

Board of Law Examiners

Hon. Joseph J. Farah of Grand Blanc, 7th circuit court judge, is appointed, on nomination by the Michigan Supreme Court, to represent the general public for a term expiring June 30, 2013.  He succeeds Hon. Rae L. Chabot whose term will expire June 30, 2008.

The Board of Law Examiners was created by the Legislature to oversee the investigation and examination of persons who apply for admission to the State Bar.  The office administers the Bar exam twice a year, in February and July, and then releases the exam results.  The office also processes applications for recertification from attorneys who have been on inactive status for more than three years and wish to resume active practice in Michigan.  

This appointment is not subject to disapproval by the Michigan Senate.

Appellate Defender Commission                                                                              

Hon. John T. Hammond of St. Joseph, former 2nd circuit court judge and visiting professor for the University of Michigan, is appointed to represent members nominated by the Michigan Judges Association for a term expiring May 24, 2009.  He succeeds Robert A. Benson whose term has expired.

Rev. Carlyle F. Stewart, Ph.D. of Bingham Farms, senior pastor of Hope United Methodist Church, is appointed to represent the general public for a term expiring May 24, 2012.  He succeeds Michael J. Bryanton who has resigned. 

The Appellate Defender Commission is responsible for developing a system of appellate defense services for those who can afford no other representation.  The commission also develops minimum standards to which those services must conform.

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

Michigan Travel Commission

Samuel Wendling of Muskegon, director of the Muskegon County Convention & Visitors Bureau and owner of Wendling Real Estate, is appointed to represent owners and operators of small businesses for a term expiring August 20, 2011.  He succeeds Tanya M. Heidelberg-Yopp who has resigned. 

The Michigan Travel Commission is responsible for assisting Travel Michigan in developing a comprehensive, long-range vision for tourism.  Travel Michigan is an agency housed within the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) that promotes tourism within the state of Michigan. 

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

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