Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced the following appointments to the Board of Barber Examiners, Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee, Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council, Library of Michigan Board of Trustees, and the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission.
Board of Barber Examiners
Pedro L. “Pete” Lopez, of Livonia, is a training and development specialist program supervisor from the Detroit Public Schools Community District. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Computer Science from the University of Detroit Mercy and a Master of Arts in Instructional Design and Technology from Wayne State University. Mr. Lopez is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing October 1, 2020 and expiring September 30, 2024. He succeeds Eric Dimoff whose term expires September 30, 2020.
Paul Trowbridge, of Lansing, is a barber and the owner of Cuttin’ Up Barbershop. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and holds a certificate from the Lansing Barber College. Mr. Trowbridge is appointed to represent barbers for a term commencing October 1, 2020 and expiring September 30, 2024. He succeeds Perry Vitto whose term expires September 30, 2020.
The Michigan Board of Barber Examiners was created to regulate the services of barbers, barber students, barber colleges, barber instructors, student instructors, and barbershops in Michigan. The statute defines a barber as a person who shaves or trims the beard of a person; cuts, trims, shampoos, relaxes, curls, permanently waves, dresses, tints, bleaches, colors, arranges, or styles the hair of a person; massages the face and head of a person; or renders personal services of a similar nature customarily done by a barber.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee
Laurie J. Isley, of Palmyra, is a co-owner of Sunrise Farms, Inc., a family farm where they grow soybeans and corn. She is also a tutor coordinator for Adrian College Academic Services and holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from Michigan State University and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. Mrs. Isley is reappointed to represent District 3 growers for a term commencing September 25, 2020 and expiring September 23, 2023.
Dan B. Rajzer, of Decatur, is an agricultural research contractor and the owner of Dan Rajzer Farms. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Crops and Soil Sciences from Michigan State University. Mr. Rajzer is appointed to represent District 1 growers for a term commencing September 25, 2020 and expiring September 23, 2023. He succeeds Sarah Peterson whose term expired September 23, 2020.
The Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee develops procedures relating to the soybean marketing program and recommends amendments to the marketing program. The Committee prepares the estimated budget required for the proper operation of the marketing program, develops methods for collecting and auditing the assessments, and collects and assembles information and data necessary for proper administration of the marketing program.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council
Beth A. Kohler, of Monroe, is a Southeast Michigan outreach representative for Special Education Mediation Services. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University. Ms. Kohler is appointed to fill a vacancy representing a parent or guardian of a child with developmental disabilities. She will serve for a term commencing October 1, 2020 and expiring September 30, 2024.
Dennis Gerard-Michael Matthews, of St. Clair Shores, is the travel and corporate care administrator for Shinola Detroit. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from St. Mary’s College. Mr. Matthews is appointed to represent a parent or guardian of a child with developmental disabilities for a term commencing October 1, 2020 and expiring September 30, 2024. He succeeds Denise Simmons whose term expires September 30, 2020.
Daniel A. Paul, of Escanaba, is the president of Delta County Regional Inclusive Community Committee and the chair of the Self-Advocates of Michigan. He is also an associate at Walmart and holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Northern Michigan University. Mr. Paul is reappointed to represent an individual with a developmental disability elected to the board of Self-Advocates of Michigan to represent self-advocates. He will serve for a term commencing October 1, 2020 and expiring September 30, 2024.
Suzanne Camille Proctor, of Beverly Hills, is the founder and executive director of The Color of Autism Foundation. Ms. Proctor is appointed to represent an individual from 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. She will serve for a term commencing September 25, 2020 and expiring September 30, 2021. Ms. Proctor succeeds Colleen Allen who has resigned.
Sheryl A. Stumbaugh, of Farmington Hills, is a social worker with the Beaumont Health Center for Exceptional Families, Oakwood Hospital Teens with Disabilities Leadership Program, and an independent support coordinator with Oakland County Community Living Services. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Madonna University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. Ms. Stumbaugh is appointed to represent an individual with a developmental disability for a term commencing October 1, 2020 and expiring September 30, 2024. She succeeds Baxter Jones who has resigned.
Marisa Van Zile, of Watersmeet, is a member of Grand Voices Network and the Upper Peninsula representative for the Family Leadership Network. Ms. Van Zile is a member of the Sokaogon Chippewa Band of Lake Superior Indians and chair of the Intertribal Council of Michigan Parent Policy Committee. She works at the Northern Waters Casino and holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Northern Michigan University. Ms. Van Zile is appointed to represent a parent or guardian of a child with developmental disabilities for a term commencing October 1, 2020 and expiring September 30, 2024. She succeeds Matt Bolger whose term expires September 30, 2020.
The Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council advocates 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
Nancy Hmayed, of Dearborn, the library media specialist for Dearborn Public Schools. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Michigan State University, Master of Library and Information Science from Wayne State University, and a Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language from Madonna University. Ms. Hmayed is reappointed to represent a librarian from a public or private K to 12 system for a term commencing October 2, 2020 and expiring October 1, 2023.
Brian R. Larkin, Jr., of Flint, is the chief of staff for Mayor Sheldon Neeley of the City of Flint and a member of the board for the Flint Public Library. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Morehouse College and a Master of Science in Urban Planning from Florida State University. Mr. Larkin is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing October 2, 2020 and expiring October 1, 2023. He succeeds Beata Kica whose term expires October 1, 2020.
Stacy Nowicki, Ph.D., of Kalamazoo, is the library director for Kalamazoo College. She holds a Ph.D. in Information Science from Nova Southeastern University and a Juris Doctor degree from WMU Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Dr. Nowicki is reappointed to represent a librarian from a college or university library for a term commencing October 2, 2020 and expiring October 1, 2023.
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.
Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission
Col. Michael J. Price, of Laingsburg, is the senior deputy director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veteran Affairs. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Economics from the United States Military Academy and master’s degrees from the University of Michigan, University of Southern California, School of Advanced Military Studies, and the U.S. Army War College. Col. Price is appointed to represent Michigan's Compact Commissioner for a term commencing September 25, 2020 and expiring at the pleasure of the Governor. He succeeds Russ Gullett who has resigned.
The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children was enacted into law by Public Act 160 of 2008. The purpose of the Compact is to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents. The governors of member states appoint a state commissioner to represent their state.
This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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