July 27, 2017
Thursday, July 27, 2017
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointment of Ben Geiger of Nashville, as well as the reappointments of Frances Amos of Waterford, James Borchard of Frankenmuth, Jill Edwards-Sutton of Mt. Pleasant, and LaTarro Traylor of Grand Rapids to the Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity.
The 12-member commission is charged with reducing the causes, conditions, and effects of poverty and promoting social and economic opportunities that foster self-sufficiency for low-income people.
“These individuals have diverse, valuable experiences and I am confident their contributions to this commission will help increase opportunities for low-income residents,” Snyder said.
Appointment:
Geiger is chair of the Barry County Board of Commissioners, and is an assistant to Lt. Governor Brian Calley. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University. He will represent elected public officials and fill the vacancy created by Gregg Iddings.
Reappointments:
Amos is the marketing director for Solutions to Recovery. She previously served three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives, representing the 43rd District in Oakland County. She was a member of the Appropriations Committee and its subcommittees for Labor and Economic Growth, Higher Education, K-12, History, Arts and Libraries, and Transportation. Amos spent seven years as an Oakland County commissioner after a 35-year career with Michigan Bell/Ameritech/AT&T. She is a member of the American Business Women’s Association and the National Foundation of Women Legislators. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Oakland University and will continue to represent the private sector.
Borchard is a Saginaw County Circuit Court Judge, elected into office in November 2010. He began his career in 1976 working in the Saginaw County Prosecutor’s Office. He then joined the law firm of Smith, Bovill, Fisher, Meyer, Borchard, P.C. in 1978 where he worked until 2001. Borchard then returned to the Prosecutor’s Office until his election in 2010 as Circuit Judge. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a law degree from the University of Detroit. He will continue to represent elected public officials.
Edwards-Sutton is the executive director of Mid-Michigan Community Action Agency, Inc., and previously served in the roles of grants and development director, director of program services, and child family services director. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Central Michigan University. She will continue to represent community action agencies and will continue to serve as chair for a term expiring at the pleasure of the Governor.
Traylor is the community relations coordinator for Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. She previously served as an evaluator at Proponents, LLC., event coordinator and office manager for JA PR Group, and as a program coordinator for the Literacy Center of West Michigan. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Aquinas College and a law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She will continue to represent low-income persons.
Geiger will serve the remainder of a three-year term to expire June 21, 2019. Amos, Borchard, Edwards-Sutton and Traylor will serve three-year terms to expire June 21, 2020. Appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
###
