August 26, 2015
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced five reappointments to the Michigan Council on Arts and Cultural Affairs.
The 15-member council, housed in the Michigan Economic Development Corp., helps create an environment of artistic, creative and cultural activity to support Michigan's economic vitality and quality of life.
“I am confident these appointees will continue to do great work to continue supporting our state’s diverse and vibrant cultural activities that are key in placemaking,” Snyder said.
Ritch Branstrom, of Rapid River, is the owner and operator of adhocWORKshop, a found-art studio. He has been featured for numerous years in ArtPrize and placed fifth in 2011. Branstrom earned a bachelor’s degree in product design and a master’s degree in design and community college education, both from Northern Michigan University.
Rick Davies, of Jackson, retired president of Comerica Bank’s Jackson region. He is the founder, long-time president and former trustee of the Michigan Shakespeare Festival, and served as former trustee and board chair of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. Davies earned a bachelor’s degree in social science and English from Central Michigan University and a master’s degree in business administration and finance from the University of Michigan.
Pamella DeVos, of Ada, is the designer and president of Pamella Roland, a clothing design business with retail distribution in Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and other leading retailers worldwide. She is an owner of DP Fox Ventures LLC, overseeing operations of more than 40 companies. DeVos earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Michigan State University.
Michael Kasper, of Dowagiac, is the business analyst for Mno-Bmadsen, the economic enterprise of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, which invests in and acquires new and existing companies. Kasper was named Native American 40 Under 40 in 2012 from the National Center for American Indian Enterprise, served as president of the Dartmouth Boxing Club, and is currently a board member of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians Constitutional Review Board. Kasper earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Dartmouth College.
Omari Rush, of Ann Arbor, is curator of public programs and POP-X project director for the Ann Arbor Art Center. He also served as the education manager for University Musical Society. He also is the founder of the shur! Series, a personal empowerment series for peers. Rush earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Florida State University and a master’s degree in music from the University of Michigan.
Appointees serve four-year terms expiring Sept. 1, 2019. Their appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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