April 28, 2017
Friday, April 28, 2017
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointments of Matthew Mingus of Kalamazoo and Amanda Van Essen Wirth of Hudsonville, as well as the reappointments of Kathy Maitland of Sterling Heights, Deborah Monroe of Madison Heights, Michelle Rick of DeWitt, and Tom Tiderington of Plymouth to the Human Trafficking Commission.
Housed in the Attorney General’s office, the 14-member commission is charged with making recommendations to the Legislature to improve laws addressing human trafficking violations.
“I thank these individuals for their commitment to helping improve laws that work to prevent human trafficking in Michigan,” Snyder said.
Appointments:
Mingus is a professor of public administration and director of the Ph.D. program for the School of Public Affairs and Administration at Western Michigan University. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Victoria, and a Ph.D. in public administration from the University of Colorado. He will represent individuals nominated by the Senate Majority Leader and replace Mark Jansen.
Van Essen Wirth is a founding attorney of Van Essen and Associates PLLC., and is a Judge Advocate in the Michigan Army National Guard. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Grand Valley State University and a law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She will represent individuals nominated by the Speaker of the House and will replace Herbert Smitherman, Jr.
Reappointments:
Maitland is the executive director for the Michigan Abolitionist Project, an anti-human trafficking non-profit organization. She holds a bachelor’s degree in management and organizational development from Spring Arbor University. She will continue to represent individuals nominated by the Senate Majority Leader.
Monroe is the CEO and owner of Recovery Concepts and is a consultant for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. She served as a medical administrative assistant at Family Practice and an office clerk at the law office of Charles Roehl. Monroe is a certified peer support specialist, an advance level wrap facilitator, a certified recovery coach, and certified medical administrative assistant. She will continue to represent survivors.
Judge Rick is a legislative and executive committee member of the Michigan Judicial Association, and a member of the Gratiot County Community Corrections Board. Rick holds a bachelor's degree in social science from Michigan State University and a law degree from the University of Detroit School of Law. She will continue to represent circuit court judges.
Tiderington is chief of the Plymouth Township Police Department. He helped found the first human trafficking special investigations division in Ft. Lauderdale during his time in the department. Tiderington holds an associate degree in criminal justice from Mercy College of Detroit and a bachelor’s degree in police administration from Florida Atlantic University. He will continue to represent law enforcement.
Members will serve two-year terms expiring March 1, 2019. Kelly Carter, who currently serves on the commission as designee of the Attorney General, is appointed as chair and will serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
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