July 07, 2011
LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the inaugural appointments to the Michigan Compensation Appellate Commission.
The 9-member commission, created by Executive Order 2011-6 to merge the authorities and responsibilities of the Workers' Compensation Appellate Commission and the Employment Security Board of Review, will consider appeals of decisions issued by magistrates and administrative law examiners in the areas of unemployment and workers' compensation. Of the nine members initially appointed, three members serve a two-year term expiring July 31, 2013, three members serve a three-year term expiring July 31, 2014, and three members serve a four-year term expiring July 31, 2015.
Jack Wheatley is appointed as chair and Danielle Brown, Garry Goolsby, Patricia Halm, Lester Owczarski, Greg Przybylo, L'Mell Smith, George Wyatt III and Neal Young are appointed as members.
"I am confident these appointees will work efficiently and effectively on appellate decisions to best serve and protect the citizens of Michigan," Snyder said.
Two-year terms expiring July 31, 2013
Brown, of Troy, has served as an administrative law judge in the Michigan Administrative Hearing System since 2009. She previously worked in the Office of the Public Defender of Washtenaw County and as assistant deputy legal counsel in the executive office of the governor. Brown earned a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and a law degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Halm, of Lansing, has been a member of the Michigan Tax Tribunal since 2003, including serving as chair from 2007 to 2011. She previously served as an administrative law specialist in the Department of Treasury, policy counsel for the Senate Democratic Office and city attorney for the City of Midland. Halm earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Michigan State University and a law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Owczarski, of West Bloomfield, most recently practiced private law. He previously served as a member of the Michigan Employment Security Board of Review, as an administrative law judge on the Michigan Liquor Control Commission and as a legal assistant to the Workers' Compensation Board of Magistrates. Owczarski earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Detroit and a law degree from the University of Detroit School of Law.
Three-year terms expiring July 31, 2014
Smith, of Lansing, served as a member of the Workers' Compensation Appeal Board from 1988 to 1991 and the Workers' Compensation Board of Magistrates from 1991 to 2006. She earned a bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University and a law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Wheatley, of Royal Oak, is an attorney specializing in worker's compensation, utility regulation and labor law with Lacey & Jones LLP. He also works as a special assistant to the attorney general representing the state in Workers' Compensation second injury fund cases. He previously served as director of the Michigan Unemployment Agency and director of the Bureau of Workers' Disability Compensation. Wheatley earned both a bachelor's and law degree from Wayne State University. He is also named chair to serve at the pleasure of the governor.
Wyatt, of East Lansing, is a member of the Michigan Workers' Compensation Appellate Commission. He previously worked in private practice for law firms in Saginaw, East Lansing, Flint and Eastpointe. Wyatt earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Vanderbilt University.
Four-year terms expiring July, 31 2015
Goolsby, of Lansing, is a member of the Michigan Employment Security Board of Review. He previously served on the Workers' Compensation Board of Magistrates and the Workers' Compensation Appeal Board. Goolsby has also practiced private law and worked as a special assistant for the attorney general. He earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Ohio University and a law degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Przybylo, of Okemos, is the current chair of the Workers' Compensation Appellate Commission. He previously worked in private practice and as a trial attorney for an East Lansing insurance company. Przybylo earned a bachelor's degree from Olivet College and a law degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Young, of Grand Rapids, has served as a member of the Michigan Employment Security Board of Review since 1994. He previously worked as an associate focusing on unemployment compensation with the Miller, Johnson, Snell and Cummiskey law firm. Young earned a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and a law degree from the Wayne State University Law School.
All appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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