Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander. She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator. She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.
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August 21, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 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 Electrical Administrative Board, Michigan Employment Relations Commission, and the Governor's Educator Advisory Council.
Electrical Administrative Board
Keith Kurdziel, of Holt, is the manager of electric standards for Consumers Energy. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Western Michigan University. Mr. Kurdziel is appointed to represent an electrical energy supply agency that operates in this state for a term commencing August 21, 2020 and expiring July 30, 2024. He succeeds Alan Kuipers whose term expired August 10, 2020.
E. Scott Weaver, of Sunfield, is the building and code administrator for the City of East Lansing and the owner of Weaver Electric. He is the president and chair of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors Michigan Chapter. Mr. Weaver is reappointed to represent a chief electrical inspector of a municipality for a term commencing August 21, 2020 and expiring July 30, 2024. The Governor has designated Mr. Weaver to continue to serve as Chair of the Board.
The Electrical Administrative Board makes recommendations for electrical code rules, grants annual licenses and certificates to qualified applicants, and makes all orders, rules, and regulations necessary for the enforcement and carrying out of the provisions of the act.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Employment Relations Commission
Tinamarie Pappas, of Ann Arbor, is an attorney and owner of the Law Offices of Tinamarie Pappas where she has been practicing in the field of labor law for over 33 years. Ms. Pappas previously served as a partner with Rose, Weber & Pappas and as a trial attorney with the National Labor Relations Board Region 7 in Detroit. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor degree from the Wayne State University Law School. Ms. Pappas is appointed to represent Democrats for a term commencing August 24, 2020 and expiring June 30, 2023. She succeeds Edward D. Callaghan whose term expire June 30, 2020.
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.
Governor's Educator Advisory Council
Owen Bondono, of Washington Township, is an English language arts, social studies, and creative writing teacher for Oak Park Public Schools and the 2020-2021 Michigan Teacher of the Year. He holds a Bachelor of Science in English Secondary Education from Wayne State University. Mr. Bondono is appointed to represent the Teacher of the Year for a term commencing September 1, 2020 and expiring August 31, 2021. He succeeds Cara Lougheed whose term expires August 31, 2020.
The Governor’s Educator Advisory Council was created by Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order No. 2019-9. The Council will review and make recommendations regarding legislation relevant to this state’s public education system, identify and analyze issues impacting the effectiveness of Michigan’s public education system, identify best practices in public education and recommend corresponding changes and improvements to Michigan’s public education system, and provide other information or advice relevant to public education.
This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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