December 03, 2015
Thursday, December 3, 2015
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointments of Tana Bridge, of Canton, John Hohman, Jr., of Saline, Veda Thompkins, of Detroit, and the reappointments of Robinjit Eagleson, of East Lansing, Fred Gruber, of Riverview, and Nick Lyon, of Lansing, to the Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect.
The 11-person board promotes the health, safety and welfare of Michigan's children and families by funding local programs and services that prevent child abuse and neglect.
“I thank all of these appointees for their dedication to public service and I look forward to their contributions on the board,” Snyder said.
Appointment:
Bridge is a professor of social work, as well as director of the master’s program at Eastern Michigan University. She is also a professional trainer and consultant. Bridge earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Eastern Michigan University, a master’s in social work from the University of Michigan, and a doctorate in theoretical evaluation and research from Wayne State University. She represents health and mental health professionals and replaces Gary Anderson.
Hohman is the owner of Hohman ADR, an alternative dispute resolution service. He previously served as the state court administrator and as a probate and family division judge. Hohman earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School. He represents judges and attorneys and replaces Kenneth Tacoma. Hohman will serve as chair.
Thompkins is the president of Families On The Move, Inc., a volunteer non-profit organization which advocates for at-risk youth, birth families, and foster and adoptive families. Thompkins earned an associate’s degree from Wayne County Community College. She represents the law enforcement community and fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Larry Watkins.
Reappointments:
Eagleson is a management analyst for the state court administrative office. She previously owned a private practice and independently contracted as a Lawyer-Guardian Ad Litem for Ingham County. Eagleson earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Michigan State University and a law degree from Cooley Law School. She continues to represent judges and attorneys.
Gruber is the co-founder and executive director of Michigan Children’s Law Center, a group of 25 attorneys who represent children in neglect and delinquency cases in the Wayne County Juvenile Court, custody cases in the Wayne County Family Court, and in delinquency and custody cases in the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. Gruber earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Wayne State University and a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. He continues to represent child advocates.
Lyon will continue to serve as the director of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Thompkins will serve the remainder of a three-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2016. The remainder of the appointees will serve three-year terms expiring Dec. 31, 2018. Their appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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