Governor makes appointments to Michigan Community Corrections Board

LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointments of Cory Chavis, of Canton, Thomas Clement, of East Lansing, William DeBoer, of Byron Center, and Matthew Heins, of Jackson, to the Michigan Community Corrections Board.   

The 13-member board implements positive community corrections programs and establishes offender eligibility criteria.

"These individuals bring extensive experiences in law enforcement, criminal law and community alternatives to incarceration," said Snyder. "They are great choices for this board and I look forward to seeing their efforts improve community corrections."

Chavis is founder and senior pastor of Victory Community Church campuses in Detroit and Westland. He also serves as a long-term substitute teacher for Wayne-Westland Community School District, board member for the city of Detroit's Youth Violence Prevention Task Force, lead clergy member for Youth Voice and chaplain for the Detroit Police Department. Chavis holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Detroit and an MBA from Ashford University in Iowa. He will represent the general public and replaces Curtis McGhee II.

Clement is a partner and attorney at Mertens and Clement PLLC in Lansing, where he concentrates primarily on criminal law, family law, driver's license restoration and general civil litigation. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Clement earned a bachelor's degree in political science and criminal justice from Western Michigan University and a law degree from Michigan State University. He will represent criminal defense attorneys and replaces George Zulakis.

DeBoer serves as executive director of the Kalamazoo Probation Enhancement Program, which offers a community-based alternative to incarceration and allows adult offenders to take personal responsibility to further their lives. Prior to his appointment as executive director, DeBoer held numerous positions with the organization, including security staff, case manager and program manager. He holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from Western Michigan University. DeBoer will represent existing community alternatives programs and replaces Louis Dean.

Heins serves as chief of police for the Jackson Police Department, where he has worked since 1989. In this role, he oversees all operations of the police department, including law enforcement, crime prevention, investigations, training and community relations. Previously, Heins held the positions of cadet, officer, sergeant, lieutenant and deputy chief of police, and served as an adjunct instructor for the criminal justice program at Jackson Community College. He attended the FBI National Academy, Police School of Staff and Command at Northwestern University, and received a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and master's degree in public administration from Western Michigan University. Heins will represent city police departments and replaces Gary Goss.

Appointees will serve four-year terms that expire March 31, 2016, and their appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

#####