April 02, 2012
LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the reappointment of Ronald Schrieber, of Roscommon, and the appointments of Jason Biber, of Brighton, John James, of Farmington Hills, Charles "Chuck" Kosal, of Oxford, and Marita Okerstrom, of Traverse City, to the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund board of directors.
This seven-member board oversees trust fund expenditures and awards grants to eligible veterans and their families to relieve temporary, emergent financial crisis or hardship.
"These individuals bring extensive professional experience and military background to this board," said Snyder. "I am grateful for their service and confident they will work diligently to ensure Michigan's veterans and their families receive the assistance they need."
Reappointed:
Schrieber retired with the rank of master sergeant after serving in the U.S. Air Force for 22 years. In addition to his military service, he worked as a sales and service manager in the tire sales and auto repair industry. Schrieber later served as a department field service officer for the Disabled American Veterans Department of Michigan, where he helped veterans and their families obtain available benefits from local, state and federal government and served as a member of the Roscommon County Veterans Affairs Committee. He holds an associate degree in business from Kirtland Community College. Schrieber will represent the Disabled American Veterans and serve the balance of a three-year term that expires Feb. 25, 2014.
Appointed:
Biber served as a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and is a member of the Marine Corps League. He is chief operating officer for Osprey S.A. LTD, a Brighton-based full-service real estate company, where he has worked since 2003. Biber is also a member of the company's investment committee and previously led Osprey's property acquisition efforts. He received a bachelor's degree in commercial recreation management from Michigan State University. Biber will represent the Marine Corps League, a congressionally chartered veteran service organization, and serve the balance of a three-year term that expires Feb. 25, 2014. He replaces Edward Florence.
James previously served as platoon leader and assistant operations officer in Fort Hood, Texas, platoon leader at Camp Taji, Multi-National Division and Camp Striker, Multi-National Division in Iraq, and as operations and executive officer for a Lansing-based military entrance processing station. He currently works as director of operations for James Group International in Detroit, where he oversees supplier operations and more than 100 employees working in five locations throughout the U.S. James received numerous awards and decorations and holds a bachelor's degree in law from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a master's degree in supply chain management from Pennsylvania State University. He will represent veterans and serve as an independent. He replaces Ronald Amend.
Kosal served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve as a military policeman for seven years, and is a veteran of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He is a principal in the Detroit office of Deloitte Tax LLP and serves as the national service line leader of the company's Strategic Tax Advisory Team. In June 2012, Kosal will assume the role of office tax managing partner for Deloitte's Southeast Michigan practice. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Michigan State University and a law degree from Michigan State University's Detroit College of Law. Kosal will represent veterans and serve as an independent. He will serve the balance of a three-year term that expires Feb. 25, 2014 and replaces Sandra Wilson.
Okerstrom retired with the rank of lieutenant commander after serving 21 years in the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Naval Reserve Center and Naval Medical Center. During her military service, she held numerous positions, including staff and relief charge nurse, nurse recruiter, assistant and division officer for labor and delivery, clinical division officer and administrative and executive officer for the fleet hospital unit. Since 2002, Okerstrom has worked as the office nurse at the Grand Traverse Women's Clinic. She earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Illinois - Health Science Center. Okerstrom will represent veterans and serve as an independent. She replaces James Lane.
James and Okerstrom will serve three-year terms that expire Feb. 25, 2015. Appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
#####
