Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

October 4, 2019    

Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions

 

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced the following appointments to the Michigan Board of Audiology, Health Endowment Fund Board, Michigan Board of Marriage and Family Therapy, Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board, Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council, Library of Michigan Board of Trustees, and the Michigan Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.  

Michigan Board of Audiology 

Mark A. Epolito, of Haslett, is the regional sales manager for the software company Splunk, Inc. Mr. Epolito is appointed to succeed Lisa Brennan, who has resigned, to represent the general public for a term expiring June 30, 2020. 

The Michigan Board of Audiology was enacted as part of the Public Health Code to license audiologists who apply nonmedical and nonsurgical principles, methods, and procedures related to disorders of hearing. The Board promotes and protects the public's health, safety, and welfare, and has the obligation to take disciplinary action against licensees who have adversely affected the public's health, safety, and welfare.   

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

Health Endowment Fund Board 

Susan M. Jandernoa, of West Olive, is a partner with 42 North Partners and a former elementary school teacher. Mrs. Jandernoa is reappointed to represent an individual recommended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, for a term expiring October 1, 2023. 

Tina Reynolds, of East Lansing, is the health policy director for the Michigan Environmental Council. Ms. Reynolds is reappointed to represent an individual recommended by the Senate Minority Leader, for a term expiring October 1, 2023. 

Alexis N. Wiley, of Detroit, is the chief of staff to Mayor Mike Duggan of Detroit. Ms. Wiley is reappointed to represent an individual recommended by the House Minority Leader, for a term expiring October 1, 2023. 

The Michigan Health Endowment Fund Board was created as a result of the Nonprofit Health Care Corporation Reform Act. The Fund's purpose is to benefit health and wellness through funding of programs for minor children and seniors through the state with a significant focus on infant mortality, wellness and fitness programs, access to healthy food, technology enhancements, health-related transportation needs and foodborne illness prevention.   

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

Michigan Board of Marriage and Family Therapy 

Kendal N. Holtrop, Ph.D., of Okemos, is an associate professor with the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Michigan State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from Michigan State University. Dr. Holtrop is appointed to succeed Andrea Wittenborn, who has resigned, to represent licensed marriage and family therapists, for a term expiring June 30, 2020. 

The Michigan Board of Marriage and Family Therapy was created to license and regulate the practice of marriage and family therapy in Michigan, which is the provision of guidance, testing, discussions, therapy, instruction, or advice that is intended to avoid, eliminate, relieve, manage or resolve marital or family conflict or discord, to create, improve, or restore marital or family harmony, or to prepare couples for marriage. Underlying all duties is the responsibility of the Board to promote and protect the public's health, safety, and welfare.  

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

Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board 

Steven K. Hamp, of Ann Arbor, is the former vice president and chief of staff for the Ford Motor Company and the former president of The Henry Ford. He currently serves as the chair of the Michigan Education Excellence Foundation, chair of the Governing Council for The New Economy Initiative, and as co-chair of The Purple Rose Theatre Company of Chelsea. Mr. Hamp is reappointed for a term expiring October 1, 2023. 

The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board oversees the Michigan Natural Resource Trust Fund (MNRTF) which has been in place since 1976. The Trust Fund provides financial assistance to local governments and the Department of Natural Resources to purchase land or rights in land for public recreation or protection of land because of its environmental importance or its scenic beauty.  It also assists in the appropriate development of land for public outdoor recreation. 

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

Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council 

Lonnie D. Barnett, of Lansing, is the division director for the Children's Special Health Care Services in the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Mr. Barnett is appointed to fill a vacancy representing an individual from the state agency that administers funds provided under Title V of the Social Security Act, for a term expiring September 30, 2022. 

Ericka Fletcher, of Detroit, is a teacher’s assistant with Detroit Public Schools and an assistant with PulseBeat Media. Ms. Fletcher is appointed to succeed David Taylor, whose term expired September 30, 2019, to represent individuals with developmental disabilities, for a term expiring September 30, 2023. 

Baxter Jones, of Detroit, is a former teacher for Detroit Public Schools, the co-chair of the Michigan Disabilities Caucus for the Michigan Democratic Party, and co-vice president of the Brain Injury Association of Michigan. Mr. Jones is appointed to fill a vacancy representing individuals with developmental disabilities, for a term expiring September 30, 2020. 

Jeremy Murphy, of Mt. Pleasant, is the director of finance for Mid-Michigan Industries, Inc. Mr. Murphy is appointed to succeed Tammy Yeomans, whose term expired September 30, 2017, to represent a parent or guardian of a child with developmental disabilities, for a term expiring September 30, 2021. 

Bradley Rivard, of Rockford, is the chief executive officer of Select Specialty Hospital of Muskegon. Mr. Rivard is reappointed to represent a parent or guardian of a child with developmental disabilities, for a term expiring September 30, 2023. 

Kelly Rockwell, of West Bloomfield, is the co-founder and a member of the Board of Directors for Mi Work Matters, a member of the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee for Walled Lake Public Schools, and the art director for One10 marketing agency. Ms. Rockwell is reappointed to represent local and non-governmental agencies and private nonprofit groups concerned with services for individuals with developmental disabilities in this state with sufficient authority to engage in policy planning and implementation on behalf of the agency or group, for a term expiring September 30, 2023. 

Janet M. Timbs, of Mount Morris, is a consultant with the Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education. Ms. Timbs is reappointed to represent an individual from the state agency that administers funds provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, for a term expiring September 30, 2023. 

Bonnie Gonzalez, of Muskegon, is a certified peer mentor for HealthWest. Ms. Gonzalez was appointed to the Council in November 2018 to represent individuals with a developmental disability. The Governor has designated Ms. Gonzales to serve as the chairperson of the Council for a term expiring September 30, 2022. 

The Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council acts as an advocate for people with developmental disabilities to increase access to appropriate treatment, services, and habilitation. The Council’s objectives include supporting and encouraging people to take control of their lives through community-wide, results-oriented action; channeling federal funds, in the form of grants, where they can do the most good; and maintaining and financially supporting a very effective system of local networking groups across the state known as "regional inclusive community coalitions," or RICCs. 

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

Library of Michigan Board of Trustees 

Trisha A. Deming-Burns, of Linwood, is the director of the Bay County Library System. She earned her Master of Library Science from Wayne State University. Ms. Deming-Burns is reappointed to represent the Michigan Library Association, for a term expiring October 1, 2022. 

Kristina A. Reynolds, of Portland, is the director for the Bath Township Public Library. She earned her Master of Library and Information Science from Wayne State University. Ms. Reynolds is appointed to succeed Pamela Christensen, whose term expired October 1, 2019, to represent a librarian from a public library, for a term expiring October 1, 2022. 

Carol L. Taggart, of Howell, is the director of advancement for Michigan Humanities Council. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from Michigan State University. Ms. Taggart is appointed to succeed Jennifer Crowley, whose term expired October 1, 2019, to represent members of the general public who represent users of the state library, for a term expiring October 1, 2022. 

The Library of Michigan Board of Trustees makes recommendations to the Michigan Department of Education regarding the Library’s services, budget, and proposed governing rules. The Board of Trustees also makes recommendations regarding the employment of other administrative and general assistants and employees of the Library as are necessary for the care and management of the Library, including the Law Library Branch of the Library.  

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

Michigan Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee 

Andrew Adair, D.O., of Ferndale, is a family practice physician with Henry Ford Health System. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathy from DesMoines University. Dr. Adair is reappointed to represent physicians for a term expiring October 1, 2021. 

Rony Foumia, of Commerce Township, is the Michigan and Indiana area director of retail pharmacy for Ascension Health. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Wayne State University. Mr. Foumia is reappointed to represent pharmacists for a term expiring October 1, 2021. 

Danielle Melford, PharmD, of Stevensville, is the pharmacist-in-charge for Genoa Healthcare in Benton Harbor. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Georgia. Dr. Melford is appointed to succeed Victoria Tutag Lehr, whose term expired October 1, 2019, to represent pharmacists for a term expiring October 1, 2021. 

Anthony F. Ognjan, D.O., of Shelby Charter Township, is a physician with Michigan Metro Infectious Disease Consultants. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Ferris State College and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Michigan State University. Dr. Ognjan is reappointed to represent physicians for a term expiring October 1, 2021. 

Samira Saad, PharmD., of Canton, is a clinical pharmacist specialist for ambulatory cardiology medicine and anticoagulation medicine at Michigan Medicine. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from Wayne State University. Dr. Saad is appointed to succeed Margo Farber, whose term expired October 1, 2019, to represent pharmacists for a term expiring October 1, 2021. 

Brad J. Uren, M.D., of Pinckney, is an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Michigan. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Michigan. Dr. Uren is reappointed to represent physicians for a term expiring October 1, 2021. 

The Michigan Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee advises the Department of Health and Human Services on issues affecting prescription drug coverage for its various health care programs. The Committee shall recommend to the Department guidelines for prescription drugs covered in its various health care programs. 

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

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