October 06, 2006
October 6, 2006
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the following recent appointments to the Michigan Employment Relations Commission, the Michigan Travel Commission, the Michigan Rehabilitation Advisory Council, the Controlled Substance Advisory Commission, the Ski Area Safety Board, the Grape and Wine Industry Council, and the Farm Produce Insurance Authority Board of Directors:
Michigan Employment Relations Commission
Christine A. Derdarian of Bloomfield Hills, most recently served as an attorney in private practice. Ms. Derdarian is appointed to represent Democrats for a term expiring June 30, 2009. She succeeds Honora J. Lynch whose term has expired.
The Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) aids management and labor in reaching amicable settlements of labor disputes by providing labor mediation services to employers and labor organizations in private industry and in the public sector. The commission also determines appropriate bargaining units; provides for the election of bargaining representatives; certifies collective bargaining representatives; administers the law prohibiting unfair labor practices by employers and labor organizations in the public sector; provides fact-finding procedures in public employee disputes; conducts election on employer last offers in the private sector; and administers the binding arbitration procedures in police and fire department contract disputes.
This appointment is subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan State Constitution of 1963. It stands confirmed unless disapproved by the Michigan Senate within 60 days.
Michigan Travel Commission
Mr. Frank D. Ettawageshik of Harbor Spring, tribal chairman of Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. Mr. Ettawageshik is appointed to represent the private sector of the travel, tourism, and recreation industry for a term expiring August 20, 2009. He succeeds Jennifer Fischer whose term has expired.
Ms. Judy Z. Keller of Frankenmuth, owner and president of the Bavarian Inn Lodge. Ms. Keller is appointed to represent the private sector of the travel, tourism, and recreation industry for a term expiring August 20, 2009. She succeeds Kenneth B. Horn whose term has expired.
Ms. Susan E. Sherer of Grosse Pointe Park, president of Sherer INC. Ms. Sherer is appointed to represent owners and operators of small businesses for a term expiring August 20, 2010. She succeeds Brett L. Marr whose term has expired.
Ms. Christina MacInnes of Beulah, president of Crystal Properties. She is reappointed to represent tourism and conventions for a term expiring August 20, 2010.
The Michigan Travel Commission is responsible for assisting Travel Michigan in developing a comprehensive, long-range vision for tourism. Travel Michigan is an agency housed within the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) that promotes tourism within the state of Michigan.
These appointments are subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan State Constitution of 1963. They stand confirmed unless disapproved by the Michigan Senate within 60 days.
Michigan Rehabilitation Advisory Council
Luke O. Zelley of Grand Blanc, director of business development with The Disability Network. Mr. Zelley is appointed to represent parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of individuals with disabilities who have difficulty representing themselves, or are unable to represent themselves, due to their disabilities for a term expiring September 14, 2009.
George F. Sirls of Detroit, facilitator II with the city of Detroit Department of Health and Wellness. Mr. Sirls is reappointed to represent individuals with physical, cognitive, sensory and mental disabilities for a term expiring September 14, 2007.
The Michigan Rehabilitation Advisory Council reviews, analyzes, and advises Michigan Rehabilitation Services regarding all rehabilitation programs and policies administered in Michigan under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
This appointment and reappointment are not subject to disapproval by the Michigan Senate.
Controlled Substances Advisory Commission
Claire E. Saadeh, Rp.H. of Dewitt, associate professor in pharmacy practice at Ferris State University. Ms. Saadeh is appointed to represent pharmacologists for a term expiring August 30, 2007. She succeeds Norman S. Miller whose term has expired.
The Controlled Substances Advisory Commission is responsible for monitoring indicators of controlled substance abuse and diversion, and recommending a plan of action for overcoming such abuse and diversion.
This appointment 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.
Ski Area Safety Board
Arnold “Jim” Vander Spoel of Ironwood, director of the ski area management program at Gogebic Community College. Mr. Vander Spoel is appointed to represent Upper Peninsula general public with ski experience for a term expiring June 8, 2010. He succeeds Michael Gokey whose term has expired.
Richard D. Starkey of Sanford, former president and CEO of Community Hospital Services. Mr. Starkey is reappointed to represent Lower Peninsula general public with ski experience for a term expiring June 8, 2010.
The Ski Area Safety Board is responsible for protecting the public by promulgating rules for the safe construction, installation, repair, use, operation, maintenance, and inspection of all ski areas and ski lifts.
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.
Grape and Wine Industry Council
Ms. Amanda A. Danielson of Traverse City, proprietor and sommelier of Trattoria Stella. Ms. Danielson is appointed to represent operators of restaurants that hold a class C license and serve Michigan wines for a term expiring October 9, 2007. She succeeds Kristin Jonna whose term has expired.
Mr. Charles E. Edson, Ph.D. of Okemos, proprietor, wine maker, and viticulturist of Bel Lago Vineyards and Winery. Dr. Edson is appointed to represent wine grape growers for a term expiring October 9, 2007. He succeeds Joseph Herman whose term has expired.
Mr. Robert J. Jacobson of Ann Arbor, president of Leelanau Wine Cellars. Mr. Jacobson is appointed to represent wine makers for a term expiring October 9, 2007. He succeeds Donald Coe who has resigned.
Ms. Elizabeth J. Berger of Traverse City, operations manager of Chateau Chantal. Ms. Berger is reappointed to represent wine makers for a term expiring October 9, 2007.
Mr. David P. Miller, Ph.D. of Lawton, vice president of wine making and viticulture at St. Julian Wine Company, Inc. Dr. Miller is reappointed to represent wine makers for a term expiring October 9, 2007.
The Grape and Wine Industry Council is charged with promoting Michigan’s wine and wine grape-growing industries. Priorities of the council include encouraging growth of the industry, promoting Michigan wines, funding research to support wine grape growing in Michigan, and sponsoring training opportunities for industry development. The council is funded through non-retail liquor license fees.
These appointments and reappointments are not subject to disapproval by the Michigan Senate.
Farm Produce Insurance Authority Board of Directors
Mr. Derek LeCronier of Freeland, farmer. Mr. LeCronier is reappointed to represent producers from the largest Michigan organization representing general farm interests for a term expiring June 20, 2009.
The Farm Produce Insurance Authority Board of Directors was created by the Farm Produce Insurance Act of 2003. The board is responsible for establishing a new program in which producers of dry beans, grains, or corn could contribute a percentage of their proceeds to a new fund. The fund will be used to recover any losses caused by a grain dealer’s financial failure.
This reappointment is subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan State Constitution of 1963. It stands confirmed unless disapproved by the Michigan Senate within 60 days.
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