July 22, 2015
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced seven reappointments to the Michigan Truck Safety Commission.
The 11-member commission develops and administers programs addressing commercial truck driver education.
“This is a qualified and talented group and I am confident they will continue to help ensure that Michigan’s roads remain safe for all drivers,” Snyder said.
Daniel Blower, of Ypsilanti, is an associate research scientist with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. Blower is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine and the International Traffic Medicine Association. He earned a bachelor’s degree and a doctorate in history from the University of Michigan. He continues to represent four-year colleges.
Sharon Conklin, of Comstock Park, is safety director for Van’s Delivery Service, Inc. She has worked for Modular Transportation, Inc., Amazon Transportation, Ryder Dedicated Logistics and Transamerican Freight Lines. Conklin is a member and past president of the Grand Rapids Transportation Club and the West Michigan Safety Council. She studied accounting at Henry Ford Community College. Conklin continues to represent private motor carriers.
Dave Goller, of Rockford, is the business representative for General Teamsters Local Union No. 406 and previously worked for USF Holland Motor Express and the B&B Beer Distribution Co. Goller attended the C.D.L Training School and Lansing Community College. He continues to represent organized labor.
Walter Heinritzi, of Lansing, is executive director of the Michigan Trucking Association. He established the Michigan Center for Truck Safety, the nation’s only nonprofit corporation providing truck safety training. He also worked for the Michigan Senate Fiscal Agency and the Institute for Tax Administration. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Michigan State University, a master’s of public administration from the University of Southern California, and a degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He continues to represent the Michigan Trucking Association.
Thomas O’Brien, of Fremont, served as director of the Lakeshore Business and Industrial Service at Muskegon Community College and was a teacher at Fremont Public Schools. He also taught a commercial driver's license training class at Muskegon Community College. O'Brien earned a bachelor's degree and a master’s degree in industrial education and management from Central Michigan University. He continues to represent community colleges.
Robert Ramels, of Iron Mountain, who is retired, spent 14 years with the Michigan Center for Truck Safety, where he served as a safety specialist and regional manager. He established a Michigan Center for Truck Safety office in the Upper Peninsula and was a trooper with the Michigan State Police from 1968-1993. Ramels earned several certifications in the truck safety industry. He continues to represent the general public.
Timothy Yungfer, of Bath, retired from the Michigan State Police after serving nearly 40 years at several posts around the state, including the Motor Carrier Division, the Human Resources Division, the Executive Division and the Office of the Director. He is a former member of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Yungfer earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Alma College. He continues to represent the general public.
Members serve two-year terms expiring Aug. 4, 2017. Their appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the state Senate.
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