Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions

LANSING, Mich.-- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today announced the following appointments to the Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission, Committee on the Purchase of Goods and Services from Community Rehabilitation Organizations, and Michigan State Capitol Commission.

Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission

Steven A. Kiefer, of Northville, is the founder of the Kiefer Foundation which was created in his son’s memory to actively raise awareness to the dangers of distracted driving. He is the senior vice president of global purchasing and supply chain for General Motors. Mr. Kiefer is designated as the Governor’s designee for a term expiring at the pleasure of the Governor.

Sheriff Michael J. Poulin, of North Muskegon, is the Muskegon County Sheriff and a recipient of the Richard H. Austin Traffic Safety Award and the M.A.C.P. Award for Excellence in Traffic Safety. Sheriff Poulin is appointed to succeed Sheriff Matthew Saxton whose term will expire May 27, 2019, for a term commencing May 28, 2019 and expiring May 27, 2022.

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission shall identify traffic safety challenges and develop, promote, and implement strategies to address those challenges. The Commission shall develop comprehensive solutions to traffic safety challenges through partnerships with all levels of government and the private sector; maximize and coordinate the use of existing financial resources.

Mr. Kiefer’s designation is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Sheriff Poulin’s appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Committee on the Purchase of Goods and Services from Community Rehabilitation Organizations

Justin P. Caine, of Holt, is the managing partner of Good Fruit Video and president of the BOOM Awards which celebrates the accomplishments of people with disabilities. He is one of the co-founders of the Battlefield Brawl program which raises money for the Oldham Project. Mr. Caine is reappointed to represent at-large members for a term expiring March 31, 2020.

The Committee on the Purchase of Goods and Services from Community Rehabilitation Organizations was designed to oversee the purchase of goods and services from community rehabilitation organizations by identifying, reviewing, and recommending approval or disapproval to the state administrative board requests from community rehabilitation organizations to provide goods and services for purchase by the Department of Technology, Management and Budget.

This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan State Capitol Commission

Joan E. Bauer, of Lansing, is a member of the Office of the President at Lansing Community College, president of the Michigan Maritime Museum, president-elect of the Lansing Woman’s Club, and co-chair of ITEC’s 2020 Girls Giving Society. She is a former State Representative and Lansing City Council member. Ms. Bauer is appointed to succeed Roger Kahn as the Governor’s representative for a term expiring at the pleasure of the Governor.

William C. Kandler, of Lansing, is a founding partner of Kandler, Reed, Khoury & Muchmore multi-client lobbying firm. He has served as assistant chief of staff and legislative liaison to Governor James Blanchard, Secretary of the Senate, and as president of “Friends of the Capitol” where he contributed to the preservation master plan for the Capitol. Mr. Kandler is appointed to succeed Kerry Chartkoff as the Governor’s representative with experience in historic preservation for a term expiring at the pleasure of the Governor.

The Michigan State Capitol Commission manages the Michigan State Capitol Historic Site, maintains and restores the State Capitol Building, and maintains and improves the grounds of the site. The Commission makes recommendations to the Governor, the Senate, and the House of Representatives regarding funding for the site.

These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.  

###