Dr. Daniel Krichbaum to Retire as Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights

Lansing - The Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) today announced that Daniel Krichbaum, Ph.D., will retire from his position as director of the department in July 2013. Krichbaum has led MDCR since March 2010.

"Serving as director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights has been a tremendous honor, and I am proud of all that we have accomplished over the last three years," said Krichbaum. "The department is blessed with a deeply-committed team of professionals who are passionate about what they do and the people they serve, and I was fortunate to have worked among them."

Under Krichbaum's leadership, MDCR has strengthened enforcement efforts, including streamlining processes, reducing backlog and shortening timeframes for completing investigations. The department has also expanded outreach efforts - creating new community and law enforcement collaboratives, establishing an anti-bullying initiative, launching the Civil Rights Youth Academy and more.

Krichbaum took over as interim director of MDCR in March 2010 after the passing of the previous director, Kelvin W. Scott. Krichbaum was selected as the permanent director by the Michigan Civil Rights Commission in July 2010. Previously, Krichbaum served as Governor Jennifer M. Granholm's Chief Operating Officer.

Prior to his work in state government, Krichbaum served as president and chief executive officer of the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion, executive vice president of Detroit's public television station, WTVS (Channel 56), director of Recreation and Parks for the city of Detroit, and was the minister of several churches in New York and southeast Michigan.

Dr. Krichbaum holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the College of Wooster, a Master of Divinity Degree from Union Theological Seminary at Columbia University, a Masters of Philosophy of Education from Wayne State University and is an ordained United Methodist Minister. In 1976, Dr. Krichbaum was awarded a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Education from Wayne State University.

Krichbaum previously served on the United Way Community Impact Council, Greater Detroit Area Health Council Board of Directors, Michigan Interfaith Loan Fund Executive Committee and the SEMCOG (Southeast Michigan Council of Government) Board of Directors.

Krichbaum lives in Bingham Farms with his wife, Susan. He is the father of four adult children and three grandchildren.

The Civil Rights Commission, under the leadership of Chairman J. Michael Zelley, will establish a procedure for identifying and interviewing prospective candidates to fill the MDCR director's position.