February 05, 2016
Friday, Feb. 5, 2016
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointments of Larry Cameron, of Southfield, and Carmen McIntyre, of Sterling Heights, and the reappointments of Curtis Bell, of Kalamazoo, Ross Buitendorp, of Grand Rapids, Betsy Hardwick, of Horton, and Milton Mack, of Wayne, to the Mental Health Diversion Council.
The council is housed within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and helps strengthen the state's mental health system. It offers solutions to improve services for Michiganders living with mental health conditions to help ensure better quality of life, safety and independence.
"I thank these members for their willingness to serve on this council and know that their experience will continue to help ensure all Michiganders have an improved quality of life," Snyder said.
Appointments:
Cameron is the coordinator of young adult jail diversion and second chance act mentoring program for the Detroit Central City Community Mental Health Agency, and previously served as the social work department manager for the Wayne County Jail. He holds an associate’s degree from Oakland Community College and both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s of social work from Wayne State University. He represents advocates of consumer representatives and replaces Irva Faber.
McIntyre is the chief medical officer for the Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority and has been a clinical provider in Michigan’s public behavioral health arena since 1996. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, and a medical degree from the Wayne State University. She represents a Medicaid pre-paid inpatient health plan and replaces Lori Ryland.
Reappointments:
Bell serves as the chief judge of probate of the 9th Circuit Court of Kalamazoo County, as well as an adjunct faculty member at Western Michigan University. He holds a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and a law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law. He continues to represent judiciary.
Buitendorp currently serves as planning director for substance use disorder services for Network180, which he previously served as contract manager. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Calvin College and a master’s of public administration from DePaul University. He will continue to represent adult service agencies and/or providers from a local community mental health service program.
Hardwick is the COO of Professional Consulting Services, overseeing the re-entry project for offenders with special needs. She holds a bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University and a master’s of social work from the University of Michigan. Hardwick will continue to represent community prisoner or jail re-entry.
Mack is the state court administrator of the Michigan Supreme Court. He previously served as the chief judge of Wayne County Probate Court, as counsel to Petersmarck, Callahan, Bauer & Maxwell, and as a special assistant attorney general. He serves on the board of directors of Southwest Solutions and as a trustee of the Eastern Michigan University Foundation. Mack earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University, a law degree from Wayne State University, and a Taubman Fellowship for the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University/Kennedy School of Government. He represents the State Court Administrative Office and fills the vacancy created by the resignation of John Hohman Jr.
Cameron will serve the remainder of a four-year term expiring Jan. 30, 2017. Members will serve four-year terms expiring Jan. 30, 2020. Their appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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