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Snyder makes appointments, reappointment to Early Childhood Investment Corporation

Friday, August 16, 2013

LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointments of Jeffrey Mills, of Allegan; Catherine Dobrowitsky, of Birmingham; and Reggie LaGrand, of Battle Creek; and the reappointment of Marianne Udow-Phillips, of Ann Arbor, to the Early Childhood Investment Corporation board of directors.

Created in 2005, the 18-member board is the state's leading group for information about and investment in early childhood programs.

"These individuals bring diverse backgrounds and years of experience, and I am confident they will do great work to ensure the quality and effectiveness of Michigan's early childhood programs," said Snyder.

Mills is superintendent for the Van Buren Intermediate School District. He previously worked for the Allegan County ISD as director of administrative services before moving to the Van Buren ISD as director of operations and finance. Prior to his career in education, he worked in the banking industry in Grand Rapids as a credit analyst and loan specialist. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in general educational administration, both from Central Michigan University. He replaces Dan DeGrow.

Dobrowitsky is the founding member and president of Rivenoak Law Group, PC. She previously worked as a law clerk for Judge John Feikens, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. She also worked in the commercial litigation department of Miller Canfield. Dobrowitsky earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology from the University of Michigan and a degree from the University of Michigan Law School. She replaces Deborah Dingell.

LaGrand is program officer for Greater Battle Creek Programming at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Previously, he was the director of the Calhoun County Juvenile Home in Marshall. He also served as a national trainer and consultant for the National Juvenile Detention Association’s Center for Research and Professional Development in East Lansing. He is a licensed social worker and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Olivet College and a master’s degree in social work from Western Michigan University. He replaces David Hollister.

Udow-Phillips is director of the Center for Healthcare Quality & Transformation at the University of Michigan. She earned bachelor’s degrees in English and psychology from Kirkland-Hamilton College and a master’s of health services administration from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

Appointees will serve four-year terms expiring July 22, 2017, and their appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the state Senate.

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