December 17, 2018
Snyder makes appointments, reappointments to six boards and commissions
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced 16 appointments and reappointments to multiple boards and commissions.
“I thank this group for their commitment to these boards and commissions,” Snyder said.
Board of Interpreters for the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing
Appointments:
Michael Depcik, of Eastpointe, is the director of deaf ministry for the Archdiocese of Detroit. He also serves as a part-time instructor of American Sign Language, Deaf History, ASL Literature, and Deaf Culture at Madonna University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a master’s degree in counseling, both from Gallaudet University, as well as a Master of Divinity from Ss. Cyril & Methodius Seminary. He will represent individuals who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing and replace Theodore Dorsette III.
Jahan Farzam-Behboodi, of East Lansing, is a licensed social worker and a counselor for Victory Clinical Services. He holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in social work from Spring Arbor University and Walden University, respectively. He will represent individuals who are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing and replace Gregory Pollock.
Barbara Hinson, of Ann Arbor, is a licensed interpreter and the Ann Arbor Director of Sorenson Communications, Inc. She holds an associate degree in general education from Pensacola State College and a bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of North Florida. She will represent interpreters and replace David Stuckless.
Members will serve a four-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2022.
Appointment:
Ari Adler, of Okemos, serves as the director of communications for Gov. Rick Snyder. He previously served as press secretary and director of communications for Michigan Speaker of the House Jase Bolger. Adler earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University. He will replace David Fischer and serve the remainder of a three-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2020.
Statewide Independent Living Council
Reappointment:
Michael Hamm, of White Cloud, is a self-employed consultant in White Cloud. He is a licensed master’s social worker and has 20 years of clinical experience in juvenile court and mental health. Hamm holds a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science and a Master of Social Work from Grand Valley State University. He will continue to represent individuals with a disability and serve a three-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2021.
Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority
Appointment:
Michael Nystrom, of East Lansing, is the executive vice president and secretary for the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA). In addition, he serves as an industry resource on labor matters, and acts as the spokesman for the industry on a variety of issues. Nystrom earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University. He will represent Republicans and fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Mike Zimmer.
Nystrom will serve a six-year term expiring December 12, 2024.
Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect
Appointments:
Cynthia Smith, of Williamsburg, is a physician at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center, Pediatric Rural Health Clinic, a pediatric consultant with the Traverse Bay Child Advocacy Center, vice president of Zero Tolerance -- a non-profit advocacy work group -- and a staff physician with Munson Medical Center. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree and Doctor of Medicine from the University of Michigan Inteflex program. She will represent mental health professionals and fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Susan Heilner.
Smith will serve an initial term expiring Dec. 31, 2019.
Colin Parks, of DeWitt, is the State Manager, CPS Program Office for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in social work, from Michigan State University. He will represent the Department of Health and Human Services and replace Nick Lyon.
Parks will serve a three-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2021.
Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission
Appointments:
Chandragupta Acharya, of Canton, is the president of the IT consulting company Imetris Corporation, and president of South Asian American Voices For Impact (SAAVI). He also serves as a member of the Canton Township Planning Commission. Acharya holds a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Mumbai University. He will replace Soraya Kim.
Acharya will serve the remainder of a four-year term expiring Nov. 30, 2021.
Suchiraphon McKeithen-Polish, of Sterling Heights, is an adjunct professor for Wayne State University and a bilingual education consultant and Title III director for Macomb Intermediate School District. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from San Francisco State University, a teaching certificate from California State University, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction in language, literacy and cultures from the University of Colorado at Denver, and an education specialist degree and Ph.D. in educational leadership from Oakland University. She will replace Nasim Ansari.
McKeithen-Polish will serve the remainder of a four-year term expiring Nov. 30, 2021.
Angela Wang, of Fenton, is president of the business consulting firm WeAct Inc., and president of the Council of Asian Pacific Americans. She holds master’s degrees in both marketing and computer science and information systems from the University of Detroit Mercy. She will replace David Long.
Wang will serve the remainder of a four-year term expiring Nov. 30, 2021.
Leena Mangrulkar, of Ann Arbor, is an independent consultant, working with non-profit and philanthropic organizations such as the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, and the Immigration Task Force in Detroit. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in public health from Yale University. She will replace Scott Ayotte.
Mangrulkar will serve a four-year term expiring Nov. 30, 2022.
David Han, of Plymouth, is the managing principal of strategic consulting and marketing for Turtlerock Group, a strategic advisor for Detroit Flying Cars, and a founding board director of the Detroit Chapter of the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP). He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in business, both from the University of Michigan. He will replace Mahima Mahadevan.
Han will serve a four-year term expiring Nov. 30, 2022.
Reginald Pacis, of Ferndale, is an attorney and shareholder with Butzel Long, specializing in U.S. immigration law. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political philosophy from Michigan State University and a law degree from the Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University. He will replace Jin-Kyu Koh.
Pacis will serve a four-year term expiring Nov. 30, 2022.
Reappointments:
Grace Lee, of Bloomfield Hills, is the chief financial officer for Logic Solutions, Inc. She serves on the board of directors for the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce, the board of directors for the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council, and the investment committee for Eastern Michigan University. She also is a member of foreign direct investment for Ann Arbor SPARK. Lee holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from UCLA and a master’s degree in business from Eastern Michigan University.
Lee will serve a four-year term expiring Nov. 30, 2022.
Joe Tasma, of Livonia, is a corporate auditor for Daifuku North America. He also serves as a court interpreter and a linguist for the National Language Service Corps. He studied law at Ramkhamhaeng University in Bangkok and Thomas M. Cooley Law School and holds a master’s degree in business from the University of North Carolina.
Tasma will serve a four-year term expiring Nov. 30, 2022.
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