Ensuring quality customer service through efficiency, innovation and technology drives Secretary Land's agenda. At her direction, Internet options are continually being expanded, making it more convenient to do business with the Secretary of State's office. The ease of using Web services has spurred an increase of more than 200 percent in online vehicle and watercraft registration renewals since 2003.

Secretary Land also revolutionized the branch office structure, creating PLUS offices and SUPER!Centers that offer enhanced services and expanded hours. Other advancements include the introduction of Self-Service Stations for easy license plate tab renewals and creation of an online Branch Office Locator that lets customers find office locations, hours and services simply by entering their ZIP code, city or county. Secretary Land was presented with a Distinguished Leader Award by the Michigan Business and Professional Association in 2007, an honor given to women who have demonstrated successful leadership in workplaces and communities of Michigan.

Secretary Land is guiding Michigan elections into a new era as well. Her leadership paved the way for the state's successful transition to modern optical-scan voting equipment. A vigorous advocate of voting rights, Secretary Land worked closely with the disability community to implement Michigan's first-ever equipment designed specifically for voters with disabilities. She also partnered with communities and disability groups to ensure that local polling places are accessible to voters. The Michigan Rehabilitation Conference honored Secretary Land with its 2006 Excellence Award for her commitment to voters with disabilities.

Safe families and communities round out Secretary Land's priorities. Michigan's Driver Education Act, which is based on Secretary Land's proposal, strengthens requirements for students and instructors. In addition, she was instrumental in the enactment of a law that expedites the removal of abandoned vehicles from our roads and neighborhoods. To help protect state and national security, Secretary Land proposed the concept of a secure driver's license that also serves as a passport. The idea was eventually adopted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and approved for implementation in several border states.

Prior to her election, Secretary Land served as Kent County clerk from 1992-2000, at a time of tremendous change and growth in Michigan's 4th largest county. In that position, her focus was on making county government more open and convenient for the public.

Secretary Land's political involvement stretches back to her high school years, when she served as a "scatter blitzer" for the Gerald R. Ford for President campaign. As a budding politician, she was one of the youngest attendees at the Republican State Convention in 1978.

Heavy involvement with community organizations is also one of Secretary Land's hallmarks. She is active with several at the local, regional and state level. In her spare time, Secretary Land enjoys gardening and water-skiing.

Of all her accomplishments, Secretary Land is most proud of her family. She married Dan Hibma in 1983 and the couple have two children together: Jessica, a 2008 graduate of the University of Michigan, and Nicholas, a student at Grand Valley State University. They attend Corinth Reformed Church, where Secretary Land was nursery supervisor for many years. A graduate of Grandville High School, she received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Hope College in Holland, Michigan. In 2007, she was presented with an Honorary Doctor of Public Service by Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

Awards and Recognitions

• Named one of "50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan" by the Grand Rapids Business Journal.
• 2008 Partner in Safety Award from the Michigan Center for Truck Safety to her and the department for helping the Center achieve its mission of protecting motorists through safer truck travel.
• Awarded Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from Central Michigan University in 2007 in recognition of her professional achievements.
• 2007 Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association, for her commitment to improving driver education. 
• Distinguished Leader Award by the Michigan Business and Professional Association in 2007. The award honors women who have demonstrated successful leadership in workplaces and communities of Michigan. 
• The Executive Board Medal by the Michigan Pharmacists Association. This 2007 recognition was for her successful partnership with the organization in cautioning the public against drowsy driving. 
• The Mayor's Cup by the Michigan Boating Industries Association. This was presented to her in 2007 for her contributions to the recreational boating industry.
• Named as "Public Servant of the Year" for 2006 by the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America (MPVA) in recognition of her work on behalf of people with disabilities. 
• 2006 Michigan Rehabilitation Conference Excellence Award for "furthering the understanding of and advancement of individuals with disabilities." 
• Named as one of Government Technology magazine's "Top 25 doers, dreamers and drivers" for 2005 in recognition of her leadership.

Professional Appointments

• Member, Executive Board, National Association of Secretaries of State
  Midwestern Region Vice President, 2007 - present
• Member, Attorney Grievance Commission, 1999 - 2002
  Secretary, 2001 - 2002
• Member, Community Archives & Research Center
  1997 - 2002 
• Member, Secchia Millennium Commission
  2000 
• Member, 54 Jefferson Study Committee
  1997 - 2000

Community Activities

• Member, Detroit Economic Club
  2003 - Present 
• Member, The Economic Club of Grand Rapids
  2004 - Present
• Member, Women's Forum of Michigan
  2003 - Present 
• Member, Advisory Board, Michigan Political Leadership Program, 2003 - 2008
  Co-chair, MPLP Annual West Michigan Breakfast, 2006 - 2008
• Member, Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society
  1997 - Present
• Member, Corinth Reformed Church
  1983 - Present 
• Member, Grand Rapids Rotary
  May 1999 - Present 
• Member, Friends of the Public Museum of Grand Rapids
  1993 - Present 
• Member, Frederik Meijer Gardens
  1995 - Present 
• Member, Friends of John Ball Zoological Park
  1995 - Present 
• Member, Kent County Parks Advisory Committee
  1997 - 2000
• Member, Byron Center Historical Society, 1983 - Present
  President 1990 - 1992 
• Member, Grand Rapids Early Morning Riser's Club
  1992 - Present
• Member, Women's Resource Center, 1999 - present
  Member, Board of Directors, 1999 - 2005; Vice President 2001 - 2002
• Member, Board of Directors, Potters House Foundation
  1997 - 2005 
• Member, Grand Rapids Public Museum Foundation Board
  2000 - 2002 
• Member, Board of Directors, Junior Achievement Alumni Board
  1997 - 1999 
• Member, Board of Directors, American Heart Association
  1995 - 1999 
• Member, Grandville Rotary
  1990 - 1999 
• Member, Board of Directors, Project Rehab Foundation
  1997 - 1998