May 22, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2020
Contact: press@michigan.gov
Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced the following appointments to the Michigan Dairy Market Program Committee, Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission, Michigan Education Trust Board of Directors, Michigan Indigent Defense Commission, and the Committee on the Purchase of Goods and Services from Community Rehabilitation Organizations.
Michigan Dairy Market Program Committee
Jeremy Beebe, of Whittemore, is the owner of Double B Dairy, LLC. He attended Michigan State University’s Institute of Agricultural Technology Dairy Management Program. Mr. Beebe is appointed to represent the Michigan Milk Producers Association for a term commencing May 22, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2020. He succeeds Rodney Daniels who has resigned.
Eric J. Frahm, of Frankenmuth, is the owner of Golden Elm Dairy. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Dairy Science from Michigan State University. Mr. Frahm is reappointed to represent the Michigan Milk Producers Association for a term commencing May 1, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2022.
Jeffrey E. Horning, of Manchester, is the owner of Horning Farms, LLC. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Systems Management from Michigan State University. Mr. Horning is reappointed to represent the Michigan Milk Producers Association for a term commencing May 1, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2022.
Corby L. Werth, of Alpena, is a partner owner with Werth Dairy, LLC. Mr. Werth is reappointed to represent the Michigan Milk Producers Association for a term commencing May 1, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2022.
The Michigan Dairy Market Program Committee is dedicated to the promotion and consumer education of milk and milk products produced within the State of Michigan. The Committee works in conjunction with the United Dairy Industry of Michigan to promote the sale of dairy products and to educate consumers, health professionals, and educators about the dairy industry and the nutritional benefits of Michigan’s dairy products.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission
Ronald L. Wiles Jr., of Grand Blanc, is the chief of police of Grand Blanc Township. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University and a MCOLES Certification from the Northeastern Policy Academy at Delta College. Chief Wiles is reappointed to represent local units of government for a term commencing May 28, 2020 and expiring May 27, 2023.
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, while maximizing and coordinating the use of existing financial resources.
This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Education Trust Board of Directors
Philomena V. Mantella, Ph.D., of Grand Rapids, is the president of Grand Valley State University. She holds a Ph.D. in College and University Administration from Michigan State University. Dr. Mantella is appointed to represent a president of a state institution of higher education for a term commencing May 22, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2021. She succeeds Glenn Mroz whose term expired December 31, 2018.
Dale K. Nesbary, Ph.D., of Muskegon, is the president of Muskegon Community College. He holds a Ph.D. in Law, Policy and Society from Northeastern University. Dr. Nesbary is appointed to represent a president of a community or junior college for a term commencing May 22, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2021. He succeeds Robert Ferrentino whose term expired December 31, 2018.
Marlin Williams, of Detroit, is the chief program officer at TechTown Detroit and assistant vice president of economic development at Wayne State University. She holds a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts Studies from the University of Detroit Mercy. Mrs. Williams is appointed to represent members with knowledge, skill, and experience in the academic, business, or financial field, for a term commencing May 22, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2022. She succeeds Kristin Beltzer whose term expired December 31, 2019.
The Michigan Education Trust (MET) was established pursuant to Public Act 316 of 1986 as Michigan’s prepaid tuition program. MET is a “qualified tuition program” under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code which provides tax exemption for the trust and tax exemption of earnings for contract participants who use MET funds to pay for qualified higher education expenses. The MET Board of Directors are responsible for policy development, investment initiatives, program development, and implementation.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Indigent Defense Commission
Joshua Blanchard, of Greenville, is a partner at Miel & Carr, PLC d/b/a Blanchard Law. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Mr. Blanchard is appointed to represent a member submitted by the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan for a term commencing May 22, 2020 and expiring April 1, 2024. He succeeds Frank Eaman whose term expired April 1, 2020.
David W. Jones, of Detroit, is a partner with Allen Brothers, PLLC. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit Mercy. Mr. Jones is appointed to represent a member submitted by the State Bar of Michigan for a term commencing June 2, 2020 and expiring April 1, 2022. He succeeds Nancy Diehl who has resigned effective June 1, 2020.
Kristina Robinson Garrett, of Detroit, is a judge with the 36th District Court of the City of Detroit. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Judge Robinson Garrett is appointed to represent a member submitted by the Michigan District Judges Association for a term commencing May 22, 2020 and expiring April 1, 2022. She succeeds Thomas Boyd who has resigned.
The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission was created as a result of efforts to improve legal representation for indigent criminal defendants. The Commission develops and oversees the implementation, enforcement, and modification of minimum standards, rules, and procedures to ensure that indigent criminal defense services providing effective assistance of counsel are delivered to all indigent adults in this state consistent with the safeguards of the United States Constitution, the State Constitution of 1963, and with the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Act.
These appointments are not 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, president and CEO of Beyond Our Barriers, and president of the BOOM Awards which celebrates the accomplishments of people with disabilities. Mr. Caine is reappointed to represent at-large members for a term commencing May 22, 2020 and expiring March 31, 2022.
Todd Culver, of East Lansing, is the CEO of Incompass Michigan and the funds administrator for Incompass Michigan Workers’ Compensation Fund. He holds a Master of Arts in English Language and Literature from the University of Michigan. Mr. Culver is reappointed to represent a statewide nonprofit corporation concerned with community rehabilitation organizations for a term commencing May 22, 2020 and expiring March 31, 2022.
David Ellis, of Okemos, is the president of Lansing Sanitary Supply, Inc. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Michigan State University. Mr. Ellis is appointed to represent members at large for a term commencing May 22, 2020 and expiring March 31, 2022. He succeeds Meelad Ellis whose term expired March 31, 2020.
Genevieve Hayes, of Royal Oak, is the director of the Policy and Training Division of the Department of Technology, Management and Budget. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Wayne State University. Ms. Hayes is reappointed to represent the purchasing division of the Department of Technology, Management and Budget for a term commencing May 22, 2020 and expiring March 31, 2022.
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.
These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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