January 26, 2018
Friday, Jan. 26, 2018
LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder today announced initial appointments to the Board of Interpreters for the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing.
The nine-member board was created to help streamline the sign language interpreter certification process through an executive order signed by Lt. Gov. Brian Calley. The Board will advise the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs on all matters related to the certification of interpreters and the administration of the Deaf Persons’ Interpreters Act.
"A strong interpreter certification process ensures that we are properly serving the deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing community in Michigan,” Snyder said. “I thank this group for bringing their wide range of experience to this new board.”
Terms Expiring Dec. 31, 2018:
Theodore (Teddy) Dorsette III of Ferndale is the creative director for Alliance For Deaf Services, as well as the founder and CEO of Teddyboy Entertainment LLC. Dorsette was recently a production specialist for the Deaf Professional Arts Network and is the founder of Reel Def Entertainment. He also serves as president and media specialist for the Detroit Black Deaf Advocates and is a board member of Michigan Hands and Voices. Dorsette holds a bachelor’s degree in screen arts and cultures from the University of Michigan. He will represent individuals who are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing.
David Stuckless of Grosse Pointe Farms is the managing partner for the Michigan Interpreting Group and chairperson of the RID Deaf-Parented Interpreter Member Section. He is a member of the Healthcare Interpreter’s Group, the Deaf Caucus, the Interpreters and Translators of Color, and the Legal Interpreters Member Section. He will represent interpreters and works for an interpreter agency.
Gregory Pollock of Midland is the North America Diversity and Inclusion Leader and previously served at the Public Affairs Manager for Dow Chemical Company. He is a member of the U.S. Business Leadership Network Corporate Advisory Board, vice president of the Disability Network of Mid-Michigan, and board chairperson of the NTID Alumni Association Board. Pollock holds a bachelor’s degree in professional technical communications from Rochester Institute of Technology. He will represent individuals who are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing.
Terms Expiring Dec. 31, 2019:
Andrea Hentschel of Traverse City is a career coach at Northwestern Michigan College and previously served as a principal consultant/advocate for Every Child Welcome. She also served as a safe family’s coordinator and coach for Bethany & Safe Families for Children. Hentschel holds a bachelor’s degree from Spring Arbor University, a master’s degree from Central Michigan University, and a Ph.D. from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She will represent the general public.
Sarah Houston of Burton is a sign language interpreter for Sunbelt Staffing serving Southwestern Academy, Michigan Interpreting Group, and for Communication Access Center. She is fluent in American Sign Language and brings the perspective of a parent with a deaf child to the Board. She will represent interpreters and works for a referral agency.
Carmen Johnson of Troy is a communications consultant and has been certified through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf since 1978, offering interpretation between American Sign Language and English. She previously served as manager for internet services and director of external affairs for AT&T, Detroit. Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Evangel University and a master’s degree in business administration from Davenport University. She will represent interpreters.
Terms Expiring Dec. 31, 2020:
Mitchell Holaly of Grand Blanc is a private practice interpreter through Mitch Holaly, LLC., and works as a legal/court, corrections, medical, mental health, deafblind, technical, conference, performing arts, and educational interpreter. He previously served as a community interpreter for Communication Access Center in Flint, and as an adjunct faculty instructor for Lansing Community College. Holaly holds a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. He will represent interpreters.
Miriam Horwitz of Huntington Woods is a freelance ASL/English interpreter who has served the Deaf Community in Washington, D.C. and Southeastern Michigan. She currently serves as an adjunct professor at Madonna University. Miriam served on the NAD RID Performing Arts Standard Practice Paper Task Force She recently served on the Advisory Council for the Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing. Miriam holds a master’s degree in Interpretation from Gallaudet University. She will represent an institution or other organization responsible for the education of interpreters or interpreter standards.
Karen Bailey of Ann Arbor is the president of Michigan’s deafblind consumer organization, SHI-M=DB (Self-Help for Independency in Michigan: Equalizing the DeafBlind). She recently served as a rights representative for the Department of Civil Rights for the State of Michigan, and provided advocacy, outreach, and referrals to people who are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing. She previously served as an intern at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System on the Visually Impaired Services Team as she completed her master’s degree in social work from Eastern Michigan University. Bailey holds a bachelor’s degree in humanities with emphasis in parent education from the New College of California, and a bachelor’s degree in general studies from Evergreen State College. She will represent an educational institution or other organization that serves the deaf, deafblind or heard of hearing community.
After initial appointments, member serve four-year terms.
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