January 20, 2006

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed an executive order establishing the Mentor Michigan Leadership Council to support and promote mentoring efforts in the state and educate citizens on the benefits gained for everyone involved in mentoring. 
 
“It is important that every child in Michigan has someone to encourage them to live up to their potential and help them achieve their goals,” Granholm said.  “Mentoring is one critical way we can reach that goal.  I encourage citizens throughout the state to become mentors and discover the difference they can make in the life of a child.”

Established by Executive Order 2006-3, the Mentor Michigan Leadership Council is charged with identifying existing mentoring activities and encouraging additional activities throughout Michigan; educating Michigan citizens about the importance of mentoring; identifying and promoting standards for mentoring programs; and advocating on behalf of mentors, mentoring organizations, and the expansion of mentoring in Michigan. 

The council will also advise the Governor and the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) on the development and implementation of Mentor Michigan, a statewide mentoring initiative to raise awareness about the need for mentors and the benefits associated with mentoring.  First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern heads the initiative that was created by Granholm when she served as attorney general.

The Mentor Michigan Leadership Council will be part of the MCSC and will be comprised of 15 members appointed by the Governor.

Appointees are:

Waite (Kip) S. Bohne of Holt, marketing and promotion manager for WSYM TV FOX 47, appointed for a term expiring September 30, 2007.

Joseph P. Crawford of Grand Rapids, editorial page editor for the Grand Rapids Press,s appointed for a term expiring September 30, 2007.

James J. Dreyer of Byron Center, president of Event Marketing Enterprises, Inc, appointed for a term expiring September 30, 2007.

Michael D. Fezzey of Farmington, president and general manager of WJR Radio, appointed for a term expiring September 30, 2006.

Randolph K. Flechsig of Ada, president of Davenport University, appointed for a term expiring September 30, 2008.

Linda Gillum of Bloomfield Hills, senior research fellow with the Executive Leadership Council Institute for Leadership Development and Research, appointed for a term expiring September 30, 2008.

Joyce V. Hayes-Giles of Detroit, senior vice president of customer service for DTE Energy, appointed for a term expiring September 30, 2007.

Smallwood Holoman of Midland, manager of Dow Promise with Dow Chemical Company, appointed for a term expiring September 30, 2006.

Denise Ilitch of Bingham Farms, president of Illitch Enterprises, Inc, appointed for a term expiring September 30, 2009.

Harry J. Knopke of Grand Rapids, president of Aquinas College, appointed for a term expiring September 30, 2007.
 
John S. Lore of Bay City, senior vice president of Detroit Medical Center, appointed for a term expiring September 30, 2006.

Daniel J. Piepszowski of Detroit, vice president of programs for New Detroit, Inc., appointed for a term expiring September 30, 2009.

Patricia A. Ryan O’Day of Marquette, president and owner of Marquette Monthly, appointed for a term expiring September 30, 2008.

Geneva J. Williams of Detroit, president and CEO of City Connect Detroit, appointed for a term expiring September 30, 2006.

These appointments are not subject to disapproval.

Granholm declared January Mentoring Month and is calling on people around the state to step forward and mentor children in their community.  The Governor’s proclamation coincides with the observance of National Mentoring Month in January.

For more information on mentoring, call 1-800-VOLUNTEER or visit www.mentormichigan.org.