August 16, 2007

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the following recent appointments and reappointments to the Underwater Salvage and Preserve Committee, the Investment Advisory Committee, the Michigan Education Trust Board of Directors, and the State Tax Commission:

Underwater Salvage and Preserve Committee:

Peggy S. Kurpinski of Holland, president of Adventures in Diving, Inc., is reappointed to represent members of the general public having experience in recreational scuba diving for a term expiring August 17, 2010. 

Peter J. Lindquist of Munising, developer and president of Munising Bay Shipwreck Tours, Inc., also known as Glass Bottom Shipwreck Tours, is reappointed to represent members of the general public having experience in recreational scuba diving for a term expiring August 17, 2010.

Gregory D. MacMaster of Traverse City, chief meteorologist for WPBN-WTOM 7 & 4 News, is reappointed to represent the general public for a term expiring August 17, 2010.

Brian L. Tippman of Alpena, owner of Dive Alpena, Inc., is reappointed to represent the general public for a term expiring August 17, 2010. 

Gail A. Vander Stoep, Ph.D. of East Lansing, associate professor with the Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, is reappointed to represent the general public for a term expiring August 17, 2010. 

The Underwater Salvage and Preserve Committee provides technical and other advice to the Departments of History, Arts & Libraries and Environmental Quality with respect to responsibilities associated with maintaining Michigan's 13 underwater preserves.  The committee also makes recommendations in regard to the creation and boundaries of Great Lakes underwater preserves, reviews applications for underwater salvage permits, gives recommendations regarding issuance of permits, and provides input regarding the charging of permit fees and the appropriate use of revenue generated. 

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. 

Investment Advisory Committee

James B. Jacobs, Ph.D. of Grosse Pointe Park, director of Workforce Development at Macomb Community College, is appointed to represent the general public for a term expiring December 15, 2009.
  
The Investment Advisory Committee reviews investments, goals, and objectives of each of the retirement funds and may submit recommendations.  By a majority vote, it may direct the state treasurer to dispose of any holding it sees as not suitable for the fund to be involved with, or, with unanimous votes direct the state treasurer to make specific investments.

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 Education Trust Board of Directors

Gregory L. Clevenger of Grand Blanc, social studies teacher at Adams High School, is appointed to represent nominees of the majority leader of the state Senate with knowledge, skill and experience in the academic, business or financial fields for a term expiring December 31, 2008.  He succeeds Randall J. Richardville who has resigned.

Marlene E. Davis of Southfield, educational consultant for Leadership Strategies LLC and retired superintendent of Wayne RESA, is appointed to represent nominees of the Speaker of the House of Representatives with knowledge, skill and experience in the academic, business or financial fields for a term expiring December 31, 2008.  She succeeds Lon Schneider whose term has expired.

John H. Hale, III of Franklin, consultant for the Woodward Advisory Group, is appointed to represent persons with knowledge, skill and experience in the academic, business or financial fields for a term expiring December 31, 2008.  He succeeds Kathleen Schmaltz whose term has expired.

Albert L. Lorenzo, Ph.D. of Clinton Township, president of Macomb Community College, is appointed to represent presidents of community or junior colleges for a term commencing August 8, 2007, and expiring December 31, 2009.  He succeeds Paula D. Cunningham whose term has expired.

Michael Rao, Ph.D. of Mount Pleasant, president of Central Michigan University, is reappointed to represent presidents of state institutions of higher education for a term expiring December 31, 2009.
 
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.

State Tax Commission

Douglas B. Roberts, a Republican, of East Lansing, director and professor of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at Michigan State University, former state treasurer, and current commissioner, is reappointed for a term expiring September 13, 2013.

The State Tax Commission has general supervision of the administration of the Property Tax Laws and renders assistance and gives advice to assessors, as deemed necessary.  The Tax Commission also serves on the State Board of Assessors, which is responsible for assessing certain state-assessed properties such as telephone companies and railroads.

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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