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Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions
December 18, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2019
Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced the following appointments to the Michigan Employment Relations Commission, Michigan Natural Resources Commission, Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees, Michigan State Transportation Commission, and the State Boundary Commission.
Michigan Employment Relations Commission
Samuel Bagenstos is the Frank G. Millard Professor of Law at the University of Michigan Law School. Prior to his time at U of M, Bagenstos was an assistant professor of law at Harvard Law School, professor of law and associate dean for research and faculty development at the Washington University School of Law, and a visiting professor of law at the UCLA School of Law. He has taught courses on civil rights litigation, constitutional litigation, disability rights law, employment law and discrimination, labor law, and workplace law and policy advocacy.
Mr. Bagenstos is a former Deputy Assistant Attorney General with the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice where he supervised the division’s appellate, disability rights, and special litigation sections. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of North Carolina. He is appointed as a Democrat for a term commencing December 18, 2019 and expiring June 20, 2022. He succeeds Natalie Yaw whose term expired June 30, 2019. The Governor has designated Mr. Bagenstos to serve as Chairperson of the Commission.
The Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) resolves labor disputes involving public and private sector employees by appointing mediators, arbitrators and fact finders, conducting union representation elections, determining appropriate bargaining units, and adjudicating unfair labor practice cases. The Commission, supported by the staff of the Bureau of Employment Relations, administers The Public Employment Relations Act (PERA), The Labor Relations and Mediation Act (LMA), and The Compulsory Arbitration Act (312).
This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Natural Resources Commission
Anna Mitterling, an Independent of Mason, is a biology professor at Lansing Community College and a former wildlife coordinator with the Michigan United Conservation Clubs. Ms. Mitterling is appointed for a term commencing January 1, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2023. She succeeds Vicki Pontz whose term expires December 31, 2019.
Rex E. Schlaybaugh, Jr., a Republican of Harbor Springs, is the chairman emeritus of Dykema Gossett law firm. He was appointed to the Commission in January 2012. The Governor has designated Mr. Schlaybaugh to serve as the Chair of the Commission for a term commencing December 18, 2019 and expiring at the pleasure of the Governor.
The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has exclusive authority to regulate the taking of game and sportfish and is authorized to designate game species and authorize the establishment of the first open season for animals through the issuance of orders.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees
Donna L. Murray-Brown, of Detroit, is the president and CEO of the Michigan Nonprofit Association, a statewide membership organization dedicated to serving the diverse nonprofit sector. Before joining MNA, Donna was the vice president and community reinvestment act director for Charter One Bank where she developed and executed strategy and leadership for Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) compliance.
Mrs. Murray-Brown is the board chair for the National Council of Nonprofits, vice chair of the Board of Trustees for Detroit Public Television, and a member of the Board of Directors for Michigan Associations of United Ways. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central State University, a Corporate Community Affairs Certification from Boston College, and a Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management Certificate from Harvard Business School. Mrs. Murray-Brown is appointed for a term commencing December 18, 2019 and expiring December 31, 2026. She succeeds Bridget N. Summers who has resigned.
This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan State Transportation Commission
Stephen F. Adamini, a Democrat of Marquette, is an attorney who retired from Kendricks, Bordeau, Adamini, Greenlee & Keefe, P.C. in 2015. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Mr. Adamini is appointed for a term commencing December 22, 2019 and expiring December 21, 2022. He succeeds Chuck Moser whose term expires December 21, 2019.
Todd A. Wyett, an Independent of Charlevoix, is the principal and founder of Versa Development, LLC., a real estate development, land entitlement and property management firm. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University. Mr. Wyett is reappointed for a term commencing December 22, 2019 and expiring December 21, 2022. The Governor has designated Mr. Wyett to serve as Chair of the Commission.
The Michigan State Transportation Commission establishes policy for the Michigan Department of Transportation in relation to transportation programs and facilities and other such works as related to transportation development, as provided by law. Responsibilities of the Commission include the development and implementation of comprehensive transportation plans for the entire state, including aeronautics, bus and rail transit, providing professional and technical assistance, and overseeing the administration of state and federal funds allocated for these programs.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
State Boundary Commission
Christopher T. Beland, of Okemos, is the director of surveying for PEA, Inc. and the former director of the Michigan Office of Land Survey and Remonumentation. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Northwood University. Mr. Beland is appointed for a term commencing December 18, 2019 and expiring November 15, 2020. He succeeds Michael Rice who has resigned.
Robin E. Beltramini, of Troy, is a former city council member for the City of Troy and a retired permissions editor and research assistant for Kinicki and Associates. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Illinois. Ms. Beltramini is reappointed for a term commencing December 18, 2019 and expiring November 15, 2022. The Governor has designated Ms. Beltramini to serve as Chair of the Commission.
The State Boundary Commission is responsible for administering the State Boundary Commission Act and portions of the Home Rule City Act and the Home Rule Village Act. The Commission serves as a quasi-judicial body adjudicating many types of municipal boundary adjustments and recommends, to the Director of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, the approval or denial of petitions for incorporations of new Home Rule Cities, new Home Rule Villages, and municipal consolidations. The Commission also recommends approval or denial of certain types of petitions involving land currently under township jurisdiction that is proposed to be annexed into a Home Rule City.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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