April 07, 2017
Friday, April 7, 2017
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointments of Jon Gale of Twin Lake and Steve Kempker of Zeeland, as well as the reappointment of Christopher Cooke of Traverse City 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 individuals for their commitment to this council and for working to ensure our residents receive the best mental health care possible," Snyder said.
Appointments:
Gale is the police chief of Norton Shores Police Department and is an adjunct professor at Baker College. He is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Executive Management Program and the International Chiefs of Police-Leadership Organization. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from Grand Valley State University. He will represent local law enforcement and replace Timothy Bourgeois.
Kempker is the sheriff of Ottawa County. He is a graduate of Muskegon Community College, Kalamazoo Valley Police Academy, Michigan State University Accident Reconstruction, Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, and Northwestern University Executive Management Program. He will represent county sheriffs and fill the vacancy created by Anthony Wickersham.
Reappointment:
Cooke is senior counsel at Neumann Law Group. He recently served as corporate counsel for multiple municipalities and a community mental health agency at Cooke Law PLLC. He holds a bachelor's degree from Albion College and a law degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Cooke will continue to represent licensed attorneys with experience in representing individuals with mental illness.
Kempker will serve the remainder of a four-year term expiring Jan. 31, 2019. Gale and Cooke will serve four-year terms expiring Jan. 30, 2021.
###
