April 09, 2015
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointment of Doug Smith, of Bloomfield Hills, and Al Vanderberg, of Grand Rapids, to the Michigan Municipal Services Authority and its executive committee.
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 remains an important focus as we continue to reinvent government,” Snyder said. “I appreciate the willingness of both Al and Doug to serve in these roles as we work to further Michigan’s comeback.”
Vanderberg is the Ottawa County administrator, where he serves as the chief administrative officer for Michigan’s eighth-largest county. He was previously deputy county administrator for Kent County, city manager of South Haven, 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 was former chair of the board of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance. He previously served the authority as an at large member and will now represent local public agencies, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Robert Daddow.
Smith is a senior advisor at the Michigan Economic Development Corp. He was previously deputy county executive for Oakland County, and real estate and development director for the city of Troy. Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Lawrence University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Michigan. He fills the vacancy created by the movement of Al Vanderberg.
Appointees will serve on the MMSA at the pleasure of the Governor. Vanderberg will serve on the executive committee for the remainder of a term expiring Sept. 17, 2016, and Smith will serve the remainder of a term expiring Sept. 17, 2017. Their appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
###
