March 13, 2014
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointment of Al Vanderberg, of Grand Rapids, to the Michigan Municipal Services Authority (MMSA) and its executive committee, and the appointment of Stacie Behler, of New Era, as chair of the executive committee and MMSA board.
The MMSA encourages best practices, teamwork and interlocal cooperation between municipalities and school districts. The 12-member authority oversees the development of shared services that any interested community or school district can choose to participate in. The interlocal agreement between the cities of Grand Rapids and Livonia allows communities to collaborate on the delivery of services, including information technology, finance and accounting, payroll processing, and health care services.
“Increasing collaboration between local units of government and getting the most out of citizens' tax dollars remains an important focus as we continue to reinvent government,” Snyder said. “I appreciate the willingness of both Al and Stacie to serve in these important roles in that effort.”
Vanderberg is the Ottawa County administrator, where he serves as the chief administrative officer for Michigan’s eighth-largest county with 270,000 residents and 1,200 employees. He previously served as the deputy county administrator for Kent County, the city manager of South Haven, the assistant city manager of Greenville, and a budget-policy analyst for Lenawee County. Vanderberg also serves as adjunct faculty at Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College, as the chair of the board of directors of the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council, and former chair of the board of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance.
Vanderberg holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Michigan and a master’s of public administration in urban administration from Michigan State University. He replaces Don Leclair, who resigned. Vanderberg will serve on the Municipal Services Authority for a term expiring at the pleasure of the governor and will serve on the executive committee for the remainder of a four-year term expiring Sept. 17, 2017.
Behler has served on MMSA since it was created in 2012. She is the group vice president of public affairs and communications for Meijer Inc., as well as the executive director of the Meijer Foundation. She previously worked as senior legal counsel for Meijer and as an attorney at Smith, Haughey, Rice & Roegge. She serves on the board of directors of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Heart of West Michigan United Way, and has been recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan.
Behler holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and English from Oakland University and a law degree from the University of Illinois. She will serve a term at the pleasure of the governor.
Appointments to the Municipal Services Authority are not subject to the advice and consent of the state Senate.
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