Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

June 21, 2019  

Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions 

LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today announced the following appointments to the Farm Produce Insurance Authority Board of Directors, Mackinac Island State Park Commission, Detroit Wayne County Health Authority Board of Directors, and the Municipal Stability Board. 

Farm Produce Insurance Authority Board of Directors 

Stephen J. Ewald, of Unionville, is the president and owner of Ewald Farms, Inc. Mr. Ewald is appointed to succeed Greg Ackerman, whose term expired June 20, 2019, to represent producers from the largest Michigan organization exclusively representing dry bean producers in Michigan for a term expiring June 20, 2022. 

Jason Haag, of Unionville, is the owner and operator of a sugar beets, corn, beans, soybeans, and wheat farm in Unionville and an agronomy consultant with Digital Agronomy, LLC. Mr. Haag is appointed to succeed Benjamin Chaffin, whose term expired June 20, 2019, to represent producers from the largest Michigan organization exclusively representing the interests of soybean producers in Michigan for a term expiring June 20, 2022. 

Rita Herford, of Pigeon, is a member and operator of Gentner-Bischer Farms. Ms. Herford is appointed to succeed Matthew Frostic, whose term expired June 20, 2019, to represent producers from the largest Michigan organization representing general farm interests in Michigan for a term expiring June 20, 2022. 

James R. Howe, of Frankenmuth, is the CEO of Star of the West Milling Company in Frankenmuth. Mr. Howe is reappointed to represent a nonvoting member from the largest Michigan organization representing the interests of licensees in Michigan for a term expiring June 20, 2022. 

Mark J. Kies, of Allen, is a member and operator of Kies Farms, LLC. Mr. Kies is reappointed to represent producers from the largest Michigan organization exclusively representing the interests of corn producers in Michigan for a term expiring June 20, 2022. 

Steven R. Kluemper, of East Lansing, is the vice president of credit for GreenStone Farm Credit Services. Mr. Kluemper is reappointed to represent the largest Michigan organization representing the interests of agricultural lenders in Michigan for a term expiring June 20, 2022. 

The Farm Produce Insurance Authority Board of Directors represents farmers, the grain industry, and 

banking interests. The Board administers the Farm Produce Insurance Fund and was created to protect 

producers in the event of a farm produce dealer's financial failure. 

These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. 

Mackinac Island State Park Commission 

Rachel Bendit, a Democrat of Ann Arbor, is a lawyer, mediator, and Montessori teacher. She is a member of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Board of Directors and a co-chair of the Jewish Women’s Archive Board of Directors. Ms. Bendit is appointed to succeed Marcia Brogan whose term expired April 12, 2019, for a term expiring April 12, 2025. 

The Mackinac Island State Park Commission was formed in 1895 and is responsible for all aspects of managing Mackinac State Historic Parks. The Commission retains and exercises its authority and responsibility for developing the mission, goals, policies, objectives and direction for the unique properties under its jurisdiction. 

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. 

Detroit Wayne County Health Authority Board of Directors 

Alice G. Thompson, of Detroit, is the chief executive office of Black Family Development, Inc. and chair of The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship Advisory Board. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Social Work from Wayne State University. Ms. Thompson is appointed to succeed Mr. Gail L. Warden whose term expired August 5, 2011, to represent a resident of the region for a term expiring August 5, 2020. 

Krystle Woods Hollier, of Detroit, is a clinical psychologist and the coordinator of integrated behavioral health services with The Wellness Plan Medical Centers. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Yale University, and Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Michigan State University. 

Dr. Woods Hollier is appointed to succeed Sister Mary Ellen Howard whose term expired August 5, 2012, to represent a resident of the region recommended by the leadership of the Legislature for a term expiring August 5, 2021.  

The Detroit Wayne County Health Authority was established in 2003, with the recommendation of the Wayne County Stabilization Work Group, in response to clear indications of a health care safety net crisis in Detroit and Wayne County. The Health Authority was created by an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Detroit, the County of Wayne, and the Michigan Department of Community health under the Urban Cooperation Act of 1967. The agreement enables the Health Authority to serve the needs of the uninsured and underinsured in Detroit and Wayne County. 

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

Municipal Stability Board 

John M. Lamerato, of Sterling Heights, is a retired city controller and treasurer for the city of Grosse Pointe Farms and former assistant city manager and director of finance and administrative services for the city of Troy. Mr. Lamerato is appointed to succeed Daryl Delabbio who resigned effective April 1, 2019, to represent local officials with knowledge, skill, or experience in accounting, actuarial science, retirement systems, retirement health benefits, or government finance for a term expiring May 1, 2021. 

The Municipal Stability Board is housed within the Michigan Department of Treasury and was created to review and update a list of best practices and strategies that will assist an underfunded local unit of government in developing a corrective action plan, and to review and vote on the approval of an action plan submitted by a local unit of government. 

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

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