Governor Whitmer Appoints Appointments to Boards and Commissions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

September 6, 2019    

Governor Whitmer Appoints Appointments to Boards and Commissions
  

LANSING, Mich. –  Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced the following appointments to the Michigan Strategic Fund Board of Directors, State Land Bank Authority Board of Directors, and the Michigan Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Advisory Council. 

Michigan Strategic Fund President 

Jeff Mason, of Bath, is the chief executive officer of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The Governor has designated Mr. Mason to serve as the President and Chairperson of the Michigan Strategic Fund, for a term expiring at the pleasure of the Governor.   

Michigan Strategic Fund Board of Directors 

Britany L. Affolter-Caine, Ph.D., of Ypsilanti, is the executive director and program manager for Michigan's University Research Corridor. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Michigan. Dr. Affloter-Caine is appointed to represent a member with experience in commercialization of technology, for a term expiring July 31, 2020. 

Ronald W. Beebe, of Midland, is the principal owner and chief executive officer of Euclid Industries, Inc., Brinn Performance, Inc., Awrey Bakeries, Griffin Thermal Products, and Milling Precision Tool Corporation. Mr. Beebe earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Central Michigan University. Mr. Beebe is appointed to represent a member submitted by the Senate Majority Leader representing individuals within the private sector with experience in private equity or venture capital investments, commercial lending, or commercialization of technology, for a term expiring July 31, 2022. 

Paul V. Gentilozzi, of Lansing, is the president of Gentilozzi Real Estate and a racecar driver and managing partner of 3GT Racing. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business from Michigan State University. Mr. Gentilozzi is appointed to represent a member submitted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives representing individuals within the private sector with experience in private equity or venture capital investments, for a term expiring July 31, 2022. 

September Hargrove, of Detroit, is the vice president of global philanthropy and head of Detroit philanthropy for JPMorgan Chase and Co. She earned her Master of Public Policy and Urban Planning from Harvard University. Ms. Hargrove is appointed to represent a member from the private sector with experience in commercial lending, for a term expiring July 31, 2023. 

Charles P. Rothstein, of Farmington Hills, is the founder and senior managing director of Beringea, LLC, a growth equity investment firm. He earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. Mr. Rothstein is appointed to represent a member from the private sector with experience in private equity or venture capital investments, for a term expiring July 31, 2021. 

Susan Tellier, of Caledonia, is the president of JetCo Packaging Solutions and a member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs Management from Michigan State University and Graduate Certificate in Economic Development from Wayne State University. Ms. Tellier is appointed to represent a member from the private sector, for a term expiring July 31, 2021. 

Cindy L. Warner, of Traverse City, is the founder and chairperson of 360ofme, Inc., a consumer data privacy website, and the former president of the Michigan Council of Women in Technology. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Grand Valley State University. Ms. Warner is appointed to represent a member from the private sector, for a term expiring July 31, 2023. 

The Michigan Strategic Fund Board of Directors was created by Executive Order No. 2019-13 and includes the Directors of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the Department of Transportation, the State Treasurer, the Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and seven residents of the state appointed by the Governor. The Board’s responsibilities include approval of the use of private activity bonds, authorizing the submittal by local governments of Community Development Block Grant applications, and approval of Tool and Die Renaissance Recovery Zones. 

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

State Land Bank Authority Board of Directors 

Helen J. Lehman, of Ada, is the executive director of New Development Corporation. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts from Aquinas College. Ms. Lehman is appointed for a term  expiring July 31, 2020. 

Kyleeuna Mitchell Wells, of Southfield, is the executive director of the Ballmer Group. She earned her Master of Public Administration from The City University of New York and Bachelor of Business Administration from Davenport University. Mrs. Mitchell Wells is appointed for a term expiring July 31, 2022. 

Krysta Pate, of Detroit, is the program director for Community Reinvestment Fund, USA. And the principal of The Homeownership Initiative Consulting, LLC. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from Central Michigan University. Ms. Pate is appointed for a term expiring July 31, 2021. 

Lisa Webb Sharpe, Ph.D., of Okemos, is the executive vice president of Lansing Community College. She earned her Master of Business Administration from Wayne State University and doctorate in Community College Leadership from Ferris State University. Dr. Webb Sharpe is appointed for a term expiring July 31, 2023.  

The State Land Bank Authority Board of Directors was created by Executive Order No. 2019-13 and includes the Director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, the President of the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Executive Director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, and four residents appointed by the Governor. The Authority works to create a positive economic impact on Michigan communities by recycling land to productive use. 

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

Michigan Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Advisory Council (MI-STEM Council) 

Gail S. Alpert, of West Bloomfield, is the president and secretary for FIRST in Michigan, a non-profit STEAM organization. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Mrs. Alpert is appointed to represent nonprofit organizations that promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, for a term commencing October 1, 2019 and expiring September 30, 2020. 

Mary K. Bacon, of Paris, is an adjunct professor at Ferris State University Department of Physical Sciences. She earned her Master of Science in Biological Sciences from Michigan Technological University. Professor Bacon is appointed to represent K-12 and postsecondary educational institutions involved with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics career preparation or education, for a term commencing October 1, 2019 and expiring September 30, 2021. 

Lee Graham, of Holly, is the executive director of Operating Engineers 324 Labor-Management Education Committee (LMEC). Mr. Graham is appointed to represent economic sectors of this state that rely upon a workforce with education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, for a term commencing October 1, 2019 and expiring September 30, 2022. 

Jacqueline Huntoon, Ph.D., of Houghton, is a professor of geology, the provost, and senior vice president for academic affairs at Michigan Technological University. She earned her Ph.D. in Geology from Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Huntoon is appointed to represent K-12 and postsecondary educational institutions involved with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics career preparation or education, for a term commencing October 1, 2019 and expiring September 30, 2023. 

Tonya M. Matthews, Ph.D., of Detroit, is the director of the STEM Innovation Learning Center and associate provost for inclusive workforce development at Wayne State University. Dr. Matthews is founder of The STEMinista Project, an initiative supporting middle school girls in exploring tools and careers in STEM. She earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from John Hopkins University. Dr. Matthews is appointed to represent K-12 and postsecondary educational institutions involved with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics career preparation or education, for a term commencing October 1, 2019 and expiring September 30, 2022. 

Christian A. Velasquez, of Midland, is the global market director for Dow Chemical Company. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Kansas State University and Master of Business Administration from Michigan State University. Mr. Velasquez is appointed to represent economic sectors of this state that rely upon a workforce with education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, for a term commencing October 1, 2019 and expiring September 30, 2020. 

Daniel Williams, Ph.D., of Grand Rapids, is the president and chief executive officer for West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology. He earned his Doctor of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University. Dr. Williams is appointed to represent nonprofit organizations that promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, for a term expiring commencing October 1, 2019 and September 30, 2023. The Governor has designated Dr. Williams to serve as the vice-chairperson of the Council.  

Wendy A. Winston, of Grand Rapids, is a middle and high school math teacher with Grand Rapids Public Schools. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education in Mathematics from Western Michigan University. Mrs. Winston is appointed to represent K-12 and postsecondary educational institutions involved with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics career preparation or education, for a term commencing October 1, 2019 and expiring September 30, 2021. 

Adam F. Zemke, of Ypsilanti, is the global STEAM education manager for Ford Motor Company and a former State Representative. He earned his Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University. Mr. Zemke is appointed to represent economic sectors of this state that rely upon a workforce with education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, for a term commencing October 1, 2019 and expiring September 30, 2022. 

The Senate Majority Leader has designated Senators Dayna Polehanki and Dale Zorn to serve as non-voting members of the Council. The Speaker of the House of Representatives has designated Representatives Padma Kuppa and Brad Paquette to serve as non-voting members of the Council.  

The MI-STEM Council was created by Executive Order No. 2019-13 and includes the Director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, two members of the Michigan Senate, two members of the Michigan House of Representatives, and nine residents appointed by the Governor. The Council is tasked with recommending measures to ensure effective communications, collaboration, and joint objectives among state departments and agencies with responsibilities relating to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. 

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

###