June 12, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 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 Board of Counseling, Michigan Historical Commission, Residential Builders’ and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors’ Board, Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission, Michigan Underground Storage Tank Authority Board of Directors, Michigan Appellate Defender Commission, Detroit Wayne County Health Authority Board of Directors, and the Board of Law Examiners.
Michigan Board of Counseling
Rotesa Baker, of Detroit, is adjunct faculty at Oakland University and Eastern Michigan University and director of programs for the Wayne Center. She holds a Master of Arts in Community Counseling from Eastern Michigan University. Ms. Baker is appointed to represent members who are engaged primarily in teaching, training, or research in counseling, for a term commencing July 1, 2020 and expiring June 30, 2024. She succeeds Robyn Emde whose term expires June 30, 2020.
Roberto G. Overton, of Berrien Center, is a school-based therapist with InterCare Community Health Network. He holds a Master of Science in Counseling and Human Services from Indiana University. Mr. Overton is appointed to represent members who are engaged primarily in providing counseling techniques, behavior modification techniques, or preventive techniques to clients, for a term commencing July 1, 2020 and expiring June 30, 2024. He succeeds Gerald Papazian whose term expires June 30, 2020.
The Michigan Board of Counseling was enacted as part of the Public Health Code to license counselors who render to individuals, groups, families, organizations, or the general public a service involving the application of clinical counseling principles, methods, or procedures in an educational, business, health, private practice, or human services setting. The Public Health Code mandates certain responsibilities and duties for a health professional licensing board including promoting and protecting the public's health, safety, and welfare.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Historical Commission
Timothy J. Chester, of Grand Rapids, is the principal of Timothy J. Chester & Associates, LLC and the former director of the Grand Rapids Public Museum. He holds a Master of Arts in American Culture from the University of Michigan. Mr. Chester is reappointed for a term commencing June 12, 2020 and expiring May 21, 2024.
Robin R. Terry, of Rochester Hills, is the chairwoman and CEO of the Motown Historical Museum. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications and Film from Eastern Michigan University. Mrs. Terry is appointed for a term commencing June 12, 2020 and expiring May 21, 2024. She succeeds Susan Safford whose term expired May 21, 2020.
Larry J. Wagenaar, of Ada, is the executive director and CEO of the Historical Society of Michigan and serves as publisher of Michigan History magazine. He earned his Master of Arts in History and Library Sciences at Kent State University. Mr. Wagenaar is reappointed for a term commencing June 12, 2020 and expiring May 21, 2024.
The Michigan Historical Commission was established in 1913 and advises the director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources on the museum, archival, and other programs of the Michigan Historical Center.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Residential Builders’ and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors’ Board
James R. Cowhy, of Manchester, is the president and owner of Cowhy-Hayes Construction Inc. Mr. Cowhy is appointed to represent licensed residential builders for a term commencing June 12, 2020 and expiring March 31, 2024. He succeeds John Kelly whose term expired March 31, 2020.
Damien J. Nelson, of Northville, is a business agent with the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights. Mr. Nelson is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing June 12, 2020 and expiring March 31, 2024. He succeeds Matthew Zalewski whose term expired March 31, 2020.
Steven M. Swan, of Laingsburg, is a building official for the City of Lansing Building and Safety Department and owner of Swan Consultants LLC. Mr. Swan is appointed to represent the general public as a building inspector for a term commencing June 12, 2020 and expiring March 31, 2024. Mr. Swan is succeeding Sidney Browne Jr. whose term expired March 31, 2020.
William Tanasse, of Grand Ledge, is a general contractor and president of Key Builders, Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Washington State University. Mr. Tanasse is appointed to represent licensed residential builders for a term commencing June 12, 2020 and expiring March 31, 2022. He succeeds William Adcock who has resigned.
Hassan Zayat, of Livonia, is a general contractor and owner of Zayat Construction. He holds a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Lawrence Technological University. Mr. Zayat is appointed to represent licensed maintenance and alteration contractors for a term commencing June 12, 2020 and expiring March 31, 2024. He succeeds Jeffrey Donius whose term expired March 31, 2020.
The Residential Builders’ and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors’ Board was created to license and regulate persons engaged in the construction of a residential structure or combination residential and commercial structure, or persons who undertake the repair, alteration, addition, subtraction or improvement of a residential structure or combination residential and commercial structure for compensation other than wages for personal labor.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission
Josh Bocks, of New Hudson, is the planning director for Macomb Township. He is also an assistant wrestling coach at Livonia Stevenson High School and a former MMA fighter, trainer, and judge. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Kaplan University. Mr. Bocks is reappointed to represent members who have experience, knowledge, or background in mixed martial arts, for a term commencing June 12, 2020 and expiring June 5, 2024.
Sharon D. Kelly-Person, of Southfield, is the career development facilitators coordinator and Department of Health and Human Services coordinator for Educational Data Systems, Inc. (EDSI). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Siena Heights University. Mrs. Kelly-Person is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing June 12, 2020 and expiring June 5, 2024. She succeeds Teresa Graham whose term expired June 5, 2020.
Anne M. Morrell, of Rochester Hills, is a real estate agent for Signature Sotheby’s International Realty. She also serves as a licensed MMA professional judge and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Operations Management from the University of Michigan. Ms. Morrell is appointed to represent members who have experience, knowledge, or background in mixed martial arts, for a term commencing June 12, 2020 and expiring June 5, 2024. She succeeds Chris DeRose whose term expired June 5, 2020.
Tammy Timlin, of DeWitt, is co-owner of Mid-Michigan Academy of Martial Arts. She is a 9th degree black belt in AACS and a martial arts instructor. Mrs. Timlin is appointed to represent members who have experience, knowledge, or background in mixed martial arts, for a term commencing June 12, 2020 and expiring June 5, 2024. She succeeds Ed Pigeon whose term expired June 5, 2020.
John P. Toth, of Plymouth, is the owner and head instructor of Formula Jiu Jitsu Academy and is a practicing attorney. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. Mr. Toth is appointed to represent members who have experience, knowledge, or background in mixed martial arts, for a term commencing June 12, 2020 and expiring June 5, 2024. He succeeds Vincent Philip Viviano whose term expired June 5, 2020.
Donald B. Weatherspoon, Ph.D., of Haslett, is a former consent agreement consultant for Pontiac and Benton Harbor School Districts. He holds a Ph.D. in General Education Administration from the University of Michigan. Dr. Weatherspoon is reappointed to represent members who have experience, knowledge, or background in boxing, for a term commencing June 12, 2020 and expiring June 5, 2024.
The Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission is the successor to the Michigan Boxing Commission and is responsible for the regulation of professional boxing and mixed martial arts. The Commission and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs are vested with management, control, and jurisdiction over all professional boxing, professional or amateur mixed martial arts, or unarmed combat contests or events conducted in this state.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Underground Storage Tank Authority Board of Directors
Juman Doleh-Alomary, of Canton, is the IT audit director for the Wayne State University Office of Internal Audit. She earned her Master of Science in Engineering at the University of Michigan. Mrs. Doleh-Alomary is reappointed to represent the general public for a term commencing June 12, 2020 and expiring May 25, 2023.
Bill Saad, of Grosse Ile, is the president and CEO of Michigan Fuels, Inc. He is a member of the Michigan Petroleum Association and the national Council Advisory Board for ExxonMobil. Mr. Saad is reappointed to represent a statewide motor fuel retail association for a term commencing June 12, 2020 and expiring May 25, 2023.
The Michigan Underground Storage Tank Authority Board of Directors governs the Michigan Underground Storage Tank Authority (MUSTA). The Authority serves Michigan’s petroleum underground storage tank owners and operators, local units of government, and country road commissions by managing the Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund, Legacy Release Program, and Public Highway Cleanup Program on a sound fiscal basis.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Appellate Defender Commission
Darryl J. Woods, of Detroit, is an elder at Greater Temple in Detroit and a youth mentor. Mr. Woods is a returning citizen. He was the chairman of the NAACP Detroit Branch Program Committee for over 15 years and he created a youth deterrent program, now referred to as Cared Straight, that diverted youth from the juvenile justice system. Mr. Woods is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing June 12, 2020 and expiring May 24, 2024. He succeeds Thomas Adams whose term expired May 24, 2020.
The Michigan Appellate Defender Commission is responsible for the development of a system of indigent appellate defense services which shall include services provided by the office of the state appellate defender and locally appointed private counsel. The Commission will be responsible for the development of minimum standards to which all indigent criminal defense appellate services shall conform, and will compile and keep current a statewide roster of attorneys eligible for and willing to accept appointment by an appropriate court to serve as criminal appellate defense counsel for indigents.
This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Detroit Wayne County Health Authority Board of Directors
Alice G. Thompson, of Detroit, is the CEO of Black Family Development, Inc. She holds a Master of Social Work from Wayne State University. Ms. Thompson is reappointed to represent a resident of the region for a term commencing August 6, 2020 and expiring August 5, 2023.
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.
This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Board of Law Examiners
Jeffery V. Stuckey, of Okemos, is a member attorney with Dickinson Wright, PLLC. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School. Mr. Stuckey is reappointed to represent a nominee of the Supreme Court for a term commencing July 1, 2020 and expiring June 30, 2025.
The Board of Law Examiners is responsible the investigation and examination of all persons who initially apply for admission to the bar of this state. The Board may adopt suitable regulations, subject to approval by the Supreme Court, concerning the performance of its functions and duties.
This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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