October 3, 2007

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the following recent appointments and reappointments to the Civil Service Commission, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Board and Executive Committee, the Michigan Tax Tribunal, the Workers' Compensation Appellate Commission, the Qualifications Advisory Committee, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, and the Michigan Truck Safety Commission:

Civil Service Commission

Andrew P. Abood of Okemos, attorney with the Abood law firm, is appointed for a term expiring December 31, 2012.  He succeeds F. Thomas Lewand who has resigned.

Thomas M. Wardrop of Grand Rapids, president of Wardrop & Wardrop, P.C., is appointed for a term expiring December 31, 2008.  He succeeds Susan G. Munsell who has resigned.

The board is responsible for examining candidates for state jobs on the basis of merit, efficiency, and fitness; classify all positions; and determine the pay for each position.

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

Michigan Economic Development Corporation Board and Executive Committee

Keith W. Cooley of Troy, director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth, is appointed to the MEDC Board for a term expiring at the pleasure of the Governor.  He is also appointed to the MEDC Executive Committee to represent the state for a term expiring April 5, 2010.  He succeeds Robert W. Swanson, Jr. who has resigned.

Dennis R. Toffolo of Oxford, community and economic development director of Oakland County, is appointed to the MEDC Executive Committee to represent public agencies for a term expiring April 5, 2012.  He succeeds Robert B. Jones who has resigned.

Richard E. Blouse, Jr. of Birmingham, president and C.E.O. of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, is reappointed to the MEDC Executive Committee to represent the private sector for a term expiring April 5, 2014.

David E. Cole of Ann Arbor, chairman of Center for Automotive Research, is reappointed to the MEDC Executive Committee to represent the private sector for a term expiring April 5, 2014.

JoAnn T. Crary of Frankenmuth, president of Saginaw Future Inc, is reappointed to the MEDC Executive Committee to represent the private sector for a term expiring April 5, 2015.

Michael J. Jandernoa of West Olive, principal of Bridge Street Capital Fund, is reappointed to the MEDC Executive Committee to represent the private sector for a term expiring April 5, 2015.

Peter S. Walters of Milford, group vice president of Guardian Industries Corporation, is reappointed to the MEDC Executive Committee to represent the general public for a term expiring April 5, 2015.                                                            

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation Board authorizes and approves the annual audit and evaluates the performance of the MEDC.  The MEDC Executive Committee oversees the corporation and the CEO of the corporation.  

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

Michigan Tax Tribunal

Patricia L. Halm of Lansing, attorney member of the Michigan Tax Tribunal, is designated as chair for a term expiring at the pleasure of the governor.

The Michigan Tax Tribunal hears appeals from taxpayers who are aggrieved by ad valorem property tax assessments, special assessments, equalization, allocation, and apportionment under the general property tax laws.  The Tribunal also has jurisdiction over determinations issued by the Department of Treasury concerning income tax; sales, use, and withholding taxes; single business tax; motor fuel tax; and intangible and inheritance taxes.

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

Workers' Compensation Appellate Commission

Donna J. Grit of East Grand Rapids, a current member of the commission and a former member of the Worker's Compensation Board of Magistrates, is reappointed to represent the general public for a term expiring September 30, 2011.

The Workers' Compensation Appellate Commission has statutory authority to review opinions and orders of the Worker's Compensation Board of Magistrates and to promulgate rules to amend its administrative appellate procedures.  It also has the authority to review orders of the director of the Bureau of Workers Compensation.

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

Qualifications Advisory Committee

Marya V. Sieminski of Southfield, attorney with the law offices of Samuel I. Bernstein, is reappointed to represent employee interests for a term expiring October 1, 2011. 

Cynthia L. Westerhof of Ann Arbor, director of people services for CMS Energy, is reappointed to represent employer interests for a term expiring October 1, 2011.

The commission reviews and rates applicants interested in serving on the Worker's Compensation Board of Magistrates and Worker's Compensation Appellate Commission. 

These reappointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
                                                                           
Michigan State Housing Development Authority

Bernard S. Glieberman of West Bloomfield, president and CEO of Crosswinds Communities, is appointed for a term expiring March 10, 2010.  He succeeds Mary M. Fowlie who has resigned.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), a partisan entity, provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve decent, affordable housing for low and moderate income Michigan residents.  MSHDA's loans and operating expenses are financed through the sale of tax-exempt and taxable bonds and notes to private investors, not from state tax revenues.  Proceeds of the bonds and notes are loaned at below-market interest rates to developers of rental housing and also help to fund home mortgages and improvement loans. 

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

Michigan Truck Safety Commission

Jacqueline A. El-Sayed Ph.D. of Bloomfield Hills, professor of mechanical engineering at Kettering University, is reappointed to represent 4-year colleges or universities for a term expiring August 4, 2009.

Timothy R. Kaltenbach of Lansing, 4th Ward Lansing City Council member, is reappointed to represent the general public for a term expiring August 4, 2009. 

Robert E. McFarland of Orchard Lake, shareholder of Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C. law firm, is reappointed to represent private motor carriers for a term expiring August 4, 2009.

James C. Parrinello of Macomb Township, Michigan organizer for Teamsters Joint Council #43, is reappointed to represent organized labor for a term expiring August 4, 2009.

James A. Van Zoeren of Kalamazoo, president and CEO of Alvan Motor Freight, Inc., is reappointed to represent the Michigan Trucking Association for a term expiring August 4, 2009.

David G. Zick of Bloomfield Hills, president of Group Associates, Inc., is reappointed to represent the general public for a term expiring August 4, 2009.

The Michigan Truck Safety Commission is responsible for the expenditures of the truck safety fund and also receives donations and establishes truck driver safety education classes. 

These reappointments 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.

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