December 12, 2017
Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced appointments of Scott Hiipakka of Milford, Jessica Ives of Grass Lake, and Kelsey Snyder of Ann Arbor, as well as the reappointments of Beverly Grant of Grand Rapids, Christine Lanning of Battle Creek, and Judith Watson-Olson of Gwinn to the Michigan Community Service Commission.
The 25-member commission fosters a culture of service by providing vision and resources to strengthen communities through volunteerism. It also develops a three-year comprehensive community and national service plan that is updated annually.
“These individuals’ dedication to community service will make them a great asset to this commission,” Snyder said.
Appointments:
Hiipakka is a colonel in the U.S. National Guard and is the program management director for the Executive Office of Governor Rick Snyder. He previously served as the senior strategic planner and advisor for the State of Michigan Flint Water Crisis. Hiipakka holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising as a distinguished military graduate from Michigan State University, a graduate certificate of bioterrorism and a master of professional studies in homeland security from Penn State University, and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the United State Army War College. He will represent experts in the delivery of human, educational, environmental, or public safety services to communities and persons and replace Dayne Walling.
Ives is the chief administrative officer for the Renaissance Venture Capital Fund. She previously served in various roles for the State of Michigan in the Workforce Development Agency within the Talent and Economic Development Agency and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. She holds an associate’s degree from Jackson Community College and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Siena Heights University. She will represent businesses and replace Nancy Lamb.
Snyder is a student at the University of Michigan and recently interned for the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. She is the director of membership and internal affairs for the Panhellenic Peer Educators, Victor’s Day Director for the Tom Wall Foundation, has traveled multiple times with the State of Michigan delegation on both China and Israel Trade Missions, and served as a peer model at the Sunfield Center. She will fill a vacancy and represents an individual between the ages of 16 and 25 who is a participant or supervisor in a program defined in section 101 of title I, 42 U.S.C. 12511.
Reappointments:
Grant is the associate director for the Grand Valley State University Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy. She served as interim executive director and as a program officer of community initiatives for the Doug & Maria DeVos Foundation. Grant holds an associate’s degree in office administration from Ferris State University, a bachelor’s degree in social work from Grambling State University, and a master’s degree in social work from Atlanta University. She will continue to represent individuals with expertise in the education, training and developmental needs of youth, particularly disadvantaged youths.
Lanning is the Tribal Council Secretary and recently served as the Tribal Council Treasurer of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi. Christine was sworn into the elected office in May 2013. As a Tribal Council member, she serves on the Elders Committee and the Culture Committee. She is the secretary on the Board of Directors for the Safe Place Domestic Violence Shelter in the Battle Creek area where she is an active volunteer. She also is involved with several task forces. Lanning holds an associate’s degree in applied science from Ferris State University. She will continue to represent Native American tribes.
Watson-Olson retired in 2013 as president of Great Lakes Center for Youth Development. She has more than 30 years of experience in youth development, community development, and program management. She worked for The MSU Extension in various capacities, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and planned for the creation of the Marquette-Alger Youth Foundation. Watson-Olson holds a bachelor’s degree in family ecology and a master’s degree in agriculture and extension education from Michigan State University as well as a doctorate of education from Nova Southeastern University. She will continue to represent individuals with expertise in the educational, training, and developmental needs of youth, particularly disadvantaged youth.
Members will serve three-year terms expiring Oct. 1, 2020.
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