August 09, 2013
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced eight appointments and three reappointments to the state Developmental Disabilities Council.
Housed within the Michigan Department of Community Health, the 21-member council advocates for people with disabilities on a statewide level.
“The varied backgrounds and experiences of these individuals will be a tremendous asset to the council moving forward,” Snyder said.
Appointees will serve four-year terms expiring Sept. 30, 2016, and their appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the state Senate.
Appointed are:
Jill Barker, of Ann Arbor, is mother of two sons with cerebral palsy. She is president of Friends of the Developmentally Disabled, a member of the board of directors of the Just Us Club in Ann Arbor, a participant in the DDAdvocates of Michigan and is a member of the Washtenaw Community Health Organization Recipient Rights Advisory Committee. She also sits on the Board of Directors of VOR, a national advocacy organization that supports a full range of services and residential options for people with intellectual disabilities. Barker holds a bachelor’s degree from Antioch College. She will represent parents or guardians of a child with a developmental disability and fills a vacancy.
Melanie Brown, of Oak Park, is senior assistant to the director and assistant communications director with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Brown holds a bachelor’s degree from Oakland University. She will represent the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and fills a vacancy.
Justin Caine, of Lansing, is the co-owner of Good Fruit Video, a Lansing-based video production company. His clients include Sparrow Health System, Michigan State University, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Association of Michigan. He holds an associate degree in media technology from Lansing Community College. He will represent individuals with developmental disabilities and replaces Sheryl Kuenzer.
Lori Campbell, of Mason, is a case manager with the intensive care unit at Sparrow Hospital, where she has worked since 2010. She previously worked as a nurse at the formerly named Ingham Regional Medical Center in the cardiovascular unit and as a patient care manager. Campbell is sister to an individual with a developmental disability. She holds an associate degree in nursing from Lansing Community College and a bachelor’s degree in management from Spring Arbor University. She will represent immediate family of an individual with a developmental disability and fills a vacancy.
Debra Huntley, of Lansing, is employed by Michigan Rehabilitation Services housed within the Michigan Department of Human Services, where she serves as division director for the evaluation and program support division. Huntley has 28 years of experience in public service, including stints at the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth, Department of Transportation, Department of Education and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Huntley holds an associate degree from Lansing Community College and a bachelor’s degree in management and organizational development from Spring Arbor University. She will represent the Department of Human Services and replaces Lural Baltimore.
Jeremiah Prusi, of Marquette, is a janitor with Pathways Community Mental Health, where he has worked since 2006. He has previous experience with New Horizons Janitorial Service in Marquette. He is a 10-year member of the Regional Interagency Consumer Committee, a grassroots advocacy group of people with developmental disabilities, and is a member of the Aktion Club. He will represent individuals with developmental disabilities and fills a vacancy.
Richard Suhrheinrich, of Okemos, is a principal attorney with Kitch, Drutchas, Wagner, Valitutti & Sherbrook, where he has been a member of the firm’s Lansing office since 1998. He is a member of the St. John Providence Health System West Region board of trustees and the Brighton Hospital board of trustees. He also serves as a hearing panelist on the Attorney Discipline Board and is a past chairperson of the Professional Liability Section of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel. He was also an adjunct professor with the Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University and the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Suhrheinrich holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Vanderbilt University and earned his law degree and a master of business administration from Indiana University. He will represent parents or guardians of a child with a developmental disability and replaces Vera Graham.
David Taylor, of Ferndale, is a peer mentor and advocate for people with developmental disabilities. He will represent individuals with developmental disabilities and replaces Andre Robinson.
Reappointed are:
Susan Liebetreu, of Bloomfield, is a consultant for the Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services, Program Accountability within the state Department of Education. Previously, she was director of special services for the West Bloomfield School District and has held positions with the Swartz Creek and Algonac community schools. Liebetreu holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Wayne State University, a master’s degree in reading instruction from Michigan State University and an education specialist degree in special education administration from Wayne State University. She will continue to represent the Michigan Department of Education.
David Verseput, of Holt, is director of the Division of Community Living within the state Department of Community Health. He previously was the assistant director of the department’s Division of Licensing, Monitoring and Accreditation. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Calvin College and earned his law degree from the University of Detroit School of Law. He will continue to represent the Department of Community Health.
Marlowe Franklin, of Traverse City, is the Early On service coordinator for the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District. She also has experience with the Autism Resource Network of Northwest Michigan and is the direct caretaker for a young child with autism. In 2009, Franklin received the Great Start Rising Star Award for parent advocacy. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Ferris State University. Franklin will continue to represent parents or guardians of a child with a developmental disability.
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