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Snyder appoints members to Barrier Free Design Board

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Contact: Sara Wurfel
Office: 517-335-6397
Email: wurfels@michigan.gov

LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder today announced appointments to the Barrier Free Design Board.

The board is responsible for receiving, reviewing and processing requests for exceptions to the barrier free design specifications; require appropriate equivalent alternatives when exceptions are granted; receive, process, and make recommendations for barrier free design rules.

Vincent DeLeonardis and Jerry Harkness are appointed to serve three-year terms expiring Oct. 21, 2013.

"Vincent and Jerry are two excellent additions to the board and will provide knowledge and expertise to ensure that Michigan buildings are safe and accessible," Snyder said.

DeLeonardis, of Northville, is the president and CEO of George W. Auch Co. of Pontiac, which specializes in health care, educational and institutional construction. He is a member of the Construction Specifications Institute, Washtenaw Contractors Association; Laborers Negotiation Committee and Agriculture, Construction and Engineer Mentoring. DeLeonardis earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Pennsylvania State University. He represents the construction industry and will serve the remainder of a three-year term expiring Oct. 31, 2013.

Harkness, of Haslett, is the chief building inspector for Delta Township and a part-time building codes instructor at Lansing Community College. Harkness is former president of the Michigan Chapter of the International Conference of Building Officials and past member of the Building Official Advisory Board to the Bureau of Construction Codes. He earned an associate's degree in applied science from Lansing Community College. Harkness represents building inspectors of local units of government and replaces Timothy J. McGladdery. He serves a three-year term expiring Oct. 31, 2013.

Appointees are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

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