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

Commission on Spanish Speaking Affairs

Ricardo D. Garcia of Haslett, executive director of United Way of St. Clair, is appointed to represent the general public for a term expiring December 31, 2010.  He succeeds Henry A. Sanchez whose term has expired.

Michael L. Espinoza of Saginaw, financial advisor for Merrill Lynch, is reappointed to represent the general public for a term expiring December 10, 2010.

Debra M. Rivera-Ehrmann of Auburn Hills, Community Services Specialist/Health Care Coordinator of Easters Seals "El Centro La Familia," is reappointed to represent the general public for a term expiring December 10, 2010.   

Arminda Garcia of Flint, school social worker with the Flint Community Schools, is reappointed to represent the general public for a term expiring December 10, 2010. 

Leonard A. Savala III of Lansing, coordinator of pre-college programs at Michigan State University, is reappointed to represent the general public for a term expiring December 10, 2010.

The commission was created by Public Act 164 of 1975 to develop policies and plans to serve the needs of Michigan's Spanish-speaking residents.  The commission consists of 15 members from around the state appointed by the governor, who are of Hispanic descent and are Spanish-speaking.

These appointments 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.                                                                          

Certificate of Need Commission 

Vicky L. Schroeder, a Republican of Byron Center, human resources director of Monarchs Hydraulics, Inc., is appointed to represent companies that are not self-insured for health coverage for a term expiring December 31, 2010.  She succeeds Kathie L. VanderPloeg-Hoekstra whose term has expired.

Peter B. Ajluni, D.O., a Republican of Bloomfield Hills, president of Orthopedic Surgical Physicians, P.C., is reappointed to represent physicians licensed under part 175 to engage in the practice of osteopathic medicine and surgery for a term expiring April 9, 2011.

Michael W. Young. D.O., a Democrat of Flint, family physician for Genesys Integrated Group Practice, P.C., is reappointed to represent physicians licensed under part 170 or 175 representing a school of medicine or osteopathic medicine for a term expiring April 9, 2011.

The Certificate of Need Commission reviews and determines the need for new institutional health services, facilities, or organizations being offered or developed in Michigan.

These appointments 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.  

Citizens Advisory Committee to Review the Adequacy of Surface Transportation and Aeronautics Service Provision and Finance in Michigan

Brent O. Bair of Clarkston, managing director of the road commission for Oakland County, is appointed to represent the County Road Association of Michigan for a term expiring at the pleasure of the Governor.  He succeeds John D. Niemela.
 
The Citizens Advisory Committee is a 19 member group that will receive and comment upon all reports, studies, and recommendations prepared by the various designated technical subcommittees of the citizen advisory committee before but not later than the submission of the reports, studies, and recommendations of the task force.  They will provide members of the task force their majority, minority, or individual views of the reports, studies, and recommendations of the various designated technical subcommittees.

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

Climate Action Council

Frank D. Ettawageshik of Harbor Springs, tribal chair of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, is appointed for a term expiring December 31, 2008. He succeeds Peter C. Madden who has resigned.
 
The Climate Action Council consists of representatives of state government, academia, agriculture/forestry, general public and industry.  The council produces an inventory and forecast of greenhouse gas emissions and offsets in Michigan, compiles a comprehensive climate change action plan for Michigan with specific recommendations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and works with local units of government and institutions of higher education to assist them in meeting the challenges of climate change.

This appointment is not subject to disapproval by the Michigan Senate.
                                                                                             
Michigan Education Trust Board of Directors 

Barbara A. Klocko of Attica, director of administrative services for Imlay City Community Schools Educational Service Center, is appointed to represent persons with knowledge, skills, and experience in the academic, business, or financial fields for a term expiring December 31, 2010.  She succeeds Cynthia N. Ford whose term has expired.
 
The Michigan Education Trust Board of Directors provides an avenue for families to invest in their children's future, enabling them to attend a Michigan institution of higher education.

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.

Automobile Theft Prevention Authority Board of Directors 

Fausto J. Martin of Canton, vice president and chief claim officer of the Auto Club Group Insurance Association, is appointed to represent automobile insurers doing business in this state for a term expiring July 1, 2010. He succeeds Steven Wagner who has resigned.

The Automobile Theft Prevention Authority Board of Directors is the lead agency for reducing automobile theft in Michigan.  The authority oversees grant distribution to local law enforcement agencies and nonprofit community organizations to reduce and prevent auto theft. 

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.

Michigan Board of Respiratory Care 

John S. Rinck of Eaton Rapids, manager for respiratory care for Sparrow Health System, is appointed to represent respiratory therapists for a term expiring December 31, 2009.  He succeeds Mary E. Baker who has resigned.

The Michigan Board of Respiratory Care was recently created by an amendment to the Public Health Code.  It is responsible for overseeing the licensure of and reviewing and approving rules in the scope of practice for respiratory therapists in 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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