Governor makes appointment, reappointments to Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission

LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointment of Charles "Fritz" Benson, of East Lansing, and the reappointments of Wolfgang Mueller, of Northville, and Vincent Viviano, of Shelby Township, to the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission.

Housed within the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, the 11-member commission regulates professional boxing and mixed martial arts events.

"These individuals are greatly committed to ensuring the integrity of professional boxing and mixed martial arts in the Great Lakes State," said Snyder.   

Benson is retired chairman of Michigan Legislative Consultants, where he worked for more than 30 years. He is a former member of the Michigan State University boxing club and previously volunteered with the Lansing Boxing Club. Benson holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in education administration, both from Michigan State University. He is a licensed second in boxing in Michigan. Benson will represent licensees in boxing and replaces David Packer.

Mueller is an attorney with Olsman, Mueller, Wallace & MacKenzie, where he specializes in wrongful conviction and police misconduct cases as well as construction site litigation. Previously, he worked as an automotive engineer for Chrysler Corp. Mueller is a second-degree black belt in the Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do, and serves as an instructor at Boliard's Martial Sciences Center in Canton. He received bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University and the University of Michigan - Dearborn, respectively, and earned a degree from the Detroit College of Law. Mueller will continue to represent licensees in mixed martial arts.

Viviano serves as the community development and loan officer for Warren Bank, and has worked in the finance industry for more than 20 years. He is a licensed mixed martial arts judge. Viviano studied at Macomb Community College and Oakland University, and will continue to represent licensees in mixed martial arts.

Appointees will serve four-year terms that expire June 5, 2016, and their appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

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