August 04, 2016
Thursday, August 4, 2016
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointments of John Briggs of Alpena, Dr. Peter Lichtenberg of Farmington, Laura Newsome of Fort Gratiot, Margot Roedol of Caro and Amy Tripp of Jackson as well as the reappointments of Joan Ilardo of East Lansing and Michael Sheehan of Cedar to the Commission on Services to the Aging.
The commission is a 15-member body appointed by the governor to offer oversight on the administration of state programs and priorities affecting aging Michiganders. A majority of the members must be at least 60 years of age and no more than eight may be from the same political party.
“This is a talented group of appointees and I am confident they will continue to ensure that aging adults have the opportunity to live healthy and independent lives,” Snyder said.
Appointments:
Briggs retired as chief operating officer of Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, Inc. in 2014, and serves as the chair of the Alpena Community College Board of Trustees. He holds a bachelor’s degree in hotel, restaurant, and institutional management from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in counseling from Eastern Michigan University. He will represent Independents and replace Richard Ortega.
Dr. Lichtenberg is the director of the Institute of Gerontology, the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute and a professor of psychology at Wayne State University. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Washington University and both a master’s degree and Ph.D. in psychology from Purdue University. He will represent Democrats and fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Sybil Ellis.
Newsome retired as the executive director of the St. Clair County Council on Aging, Inc. after 29 years of service. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Eastern Michigan University and has completed post graduate work at Wayne State University. She will represent Republicans and replace Michael Burri.
Roedol is the chief executive officer and nursing home administrator for the Tuscola County Medical Care Facility. She is a registered nurse and president of the Rotary Club of Caro. Roedel holds an associate’s degree in nursing from Delta College School of Nursing. She will represent Democrats and fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Jeffrey Schade.
Tripp is owner and partner of Chalgain & Tripp Law Offices, PLLC. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Spring Arbor University and a law degree from Thomas Cooley Law School. She will represent Independents and replace Douglas Chalgain.
Reappointments:
Ilardo is a professor and director of research initiatives at the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University. She previously served as associate director for the Geriatric Education Center of Michigan and president of the Michigan Society of Gerontology. Ilardo is a licensed social worker and holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Illinois, and a master’s of social work and a doctorate in social science, both from Michigan State University. She will continue to represent Democrats.
Sheehan is a retired associate professor of English at the City Colleges of Chicago. He is a member of The Society of Midland Authors, the Dictionary Society of North America, The American Dialect Society, and Michigan Writers. He was named Distinguished Senior of the Year by the 2013 National Cherry Festival. Sheehan holds a bachelor’s degree in English and philosophy from Villanova University and a master’s degree in English from DePaul University in Chicago. He will continue to represent Independents.
Roedol will serve the remainder of a term expiring July 28, 2017, and Lichtenberg will serve the remainder of a term expiring July 28, 2018. Members serve three-year terms expiring July 28, 2019. The appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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