Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Board and Commissions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

April 23, 2021 

Contact: press@michigan.gov  

Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Board and Commissions 

LANSING, Mich. - Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the following appointments to the Asparagus Marketing Program Advisory Board, Michigan Board of Behavior Analysts, Michigan Dairy Market Program Committee, Michigan Education Trust Board of Directors, Michigan Employment Relations Commission, Michigan Finance Authority Board of Directors, Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement Board, Residential Builders' and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors' Board, Michigan Veterans' Facility Authority Board of Directors, Human Trafficking Commission, and the Advisory Board for the Michigan Intelligence Operations Center for Homeland Security. 

Asparagus Marketing Program Advisory Board 

Kevin Burmeister, of Shelby, is the manager of Lakeshore Farms, Inc. Mr. Burmeister is appointed to represent at-large growers for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring November 13, 2023. He succeeds Thomas J. Oomen whose term expired November 13, 2020.  

Scott Hassle, of Decatur, is a partner with Berrybrook Enterprises. He holds an Associate of Arts and Science in Agribusiness from Michigan State University. Mr. Hassle is appointed to represent Southern Michigan growers for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring November 13, 2023. He succeeds Victor Lee Shank whose term expired November 13, 2020.  

Nicholas F. Oomen, of Hart, is the owner and manager at Oomen Brothers Inc. He holds an agricultural industries certificate from Michigan State University. Mr. Oomen is reappointed to represent at-large growers for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring November 13, 2023. 

William C. Schwass, of Scottville, is co-owner and manager of Springdale Farms LLC. He holds a diesel and heavy equipment certificate from West Shore Community College. Mr. Schwass is appointed to represent at-large growers for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring November 13, 2023. He succeeds Tracey Butler whose term expired November 13, 2020.  

John Williams, of Hart, is the owner of John Williams Farms and a retired United States Postal Service carrier. He attended Michigan State University for a certificate in horticulture. Mr. Williams is reappointed to represent at-large growers for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring November 13, 2023. 

The Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board seeks to promote the production and consumption of asparagus grown in Michigan as well as to assist in the agricultural research and development of asparagus farming.  

These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.   

Michigan Board of Behavior Analysts 

Samantha D. Hancock, of Grosse Pointe Woods, is currently the vice president of clinical operations and compliance at Gateway Pediatric Therapy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Western Michigan University, and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Ms. Hancock is appointed to represent behavior analysts engaged in providing clinical services for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring December 31, 2024. She succeeds Christina J. Vestevich who has resigned. 

The Michigan Board of Behavior Analysts was created to assist the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs with the regulating and licensing of behavior analysts who utilize applied behavior analysis interventions that are based on scientific research and the direct observation and measurement of behavior and the environment.    

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.  

Michigan Dairy Market Program Committee 

Jeremy Beebe, of Whittemore, is currently the owner of Double B Dairy, LLC. He holds a certificate in animal science and dairy management from Michigan State University. Mr. Beebe is reappointed to represent the Michigan Milk Producers Association for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring December 31, 2023. 

BJ Eisenga, Jr., of Tustin, is the manager and owner of Midget Mountain Dairy, LLC. Mr. Eisenga is appointed to represent the Dairy Farmers of America for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring December 31, 2023. He is succeeding Daniel Van Dyke whose term expired December 31, 2020. 

Bryan D. Hull, of Fenwick, is the owner of Hull Dairy Farm, LLC. Mr. Hull is reappointed to represent the Dairy Farmers of America for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring December 31, 2023. 

Carol A. Marz-Evans, of Litchfield, is the manager of Evans Dairy Farm. She is a member of the Michigan Shorthorn Breeders Association and Hillsdale County Dairy Promotion Board. Ms. Marz-Evans is reappointed to represent the Michigan Milk Producers Association for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring December 31, 2023. 

Brian Preston, of Quincy, is a member with Preston Dairy, LLC. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management from Michigan State University. Mr. Preston is reappointed to represent the Michigan Milk Producers Association for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring December 31, 2023. 

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.  

Michigan Education Trust Board of Directors 

Madalene Day, of Kalamazoo, is a senior fellow in older youth services at Case Commons and a consultant with Maddy Day, LLC. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Social Work from the University of Washington. Mrs. Day is appointed to represent members with knowledge, skill, and experience in the academic, business, or financial field, for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring December 31, 2024. She succeeds Cheryl Bartholic whose term expired December 31, 2020. 

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. 

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.  

Michigan Employment Relations Commission 

William F. Young, of Spring Lake, is a retired attorney and former shareholder with White, Schneider, Young & Chiodini, P.C. where he spent nearly 28 years representing unions, teachers, and others in state and federal courts and administrative agencies. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Science from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Mr. Young is appointed to represent Democrats for a term commencing April 26, 2021 and expiring June 30, 2022. He succeeds Samuel Bagenstos who has resigned.  

Tinamarie Pappas, of Ann Arbor, currently serves as a commissioner with the Michigan Employment Relations Commission. She is also 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 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 was appointed to the Commission by Governor Whitmer in August 2020. She is designated to succeed Samuel Bagenstos as Chair of the Commission for a term commencing April 23, 2021.  

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).   

Mr. Young's appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.  

Michigan Finance Authority Board of Directors 

Lauren Bigelow, Ph.D., an Independent of Ann Arbor, is the executive director at 20Fathoms Traverse City Center for Entrepreneurship. She is also a lecturer and advisor at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and managing partner at Growth Capital Network. Dr. Bigelow holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from University of Michigan, and a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Anthropology from Northwestern University. She is appointed to represent a resident of this state with experience in natural resources and environmental issues or relating to public finance, for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring September 30, 2024. Dr. Bigelow succeeds Luke Forrest whose term expired September 30, 2020. 

The Michigan Finance Authority provides effective, low-cost options to finance the acquisition, construction, improvement, or alteration of land, facilities, equipment, the payment of project costs, or to refinance existing debt. The Authority accomplishes this by working with municipalities, schools, healthcare providers, colleges and universities, and college students. 

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.  

Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement Board 

Jeffrey P. Crouse, of Charlevoix, is the superintendent of schools at Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Ferris State University, Master of Business Administration from Western Michigan University, and a Specialist of Arts in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University. Mr. Crouse is appointed to represent a member who is a school system superintendent for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring March 30, 2025. He succeeds Jeffrey Mills whose term expired March 30, 2021.  

Elizabeth Eastway, of Marion, is the business coordinator at the Wexford-Missaukee Intermediate School District. She is a member of the Michigan School Business Officials and holds a MSBO business office specialist certificate. Ms. Eastway is reappointed to represent a nonteacher member who is working in a noncertified educational support position or a retirant who retired from a noncertified educational support position, for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring March 30, 2025. 

Brian Kwiatkowski, of Canton, is a fourth and fifth grade teacher with Walled Lake Consolidated School District. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Bowling Green State University, a bachelors teaching certificate from Madonna University, and a Masters of Education from Marygrove College. Mr. Kwiatkowski is appointed to represent members who are working as classroom teachers or as other certified school personnel, for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring March 30, 2025. He succeeds Mike Engle whose term expired March 30, 2021. 

The Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System Board is responsible for general oversight of retirement, survivor, and disability benefits to employees in public school districts, intermediate school districts, community colleges and certain universities.     

These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.  

Residential Builders' and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors' Board 

Kenneth R. Stahl, of Brighton, is a construction superintendent at Corrigan Oil Company. He is also a member of the Brighton Schools Board of Education. Mr. Stahl is appointed to represent licensed residential builders for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring March 31, 2025. He succeeds Mark Wahl whose term expired March 31, 2021. 

Donald J. Wood, of Ypsilanti, is a qualifying officer at Certified Flooring Installation, Inc.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Michigan University. Mr. Wood is appointed to represent licensed maintenance and alteration contractors, for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring March 31, 2025. He succeeds Kenneth Calverley whose term expired March 31, 2021. 

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 Veterans' Facility Authority Board of Directors 

David J. Henry, Jr., of Muskegon, is the vice president of business development at Emergency Services, LLC. He holds a long-term care administrator licensure from Michigan State University and a paramedic certification from Grand Valley State University. Mr. Henry is reappointed to represent members with professional knowledge, skill, or experience in long-term care, health care licensure or finance, or medicine, for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring April 15, 2025. 

Mary Kummer Naber, of Grosse Pointe Park, is the president and CEO of PACE Southeast Michigan. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Business from Oakland University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan Dearborn. Ms. Naber is reappointed to represent one member from a list of 2 or more individuals selected by the majority leader of the senate, with professional knowledge, skill, or experience in long-term care, health care licensure or finance, or medicine, for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring April 15, 2025. 

Kenneth D. Robbins, of Muskegon, is the president and founder of Scott Senior Living Services, LLC. and a veteran of the United States Air Force. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Northern Michigan University and a Master of Arts in Administration. Mr. Robbins is reappointed to represent members with professional knowledge, skill, or experience in long-term care, health care licensure or finance, or medicine, for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring April 15, 2025. 

Bradford J. Slagle, of Marquette, is retired from the State of Michigan where he served as the CEO of Michigan Veterans Health System. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Michigan and a teaching certificate from Michigan State University. Mr. Slagle is reappointed to represent members with professional knowledge, skill, or experience in long-term care, health care licensure or finance, or medicine who are residents of the Upper Peninsula, for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring April 15, 2025. 

Larry Yachcik, of Fremont, is currently retired and previously served 10 years as president and CEO of Porter Hill Retirement Community & Services. He is a veteran of the United States Army Security Agency, a member of the American Legion, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Community Development from Central Michigan University. Mr. Yachcik is reappointed to represent members with professional knowledge, skill, or experience in long-term care, health care licensure or finance, or medicine who represent the interests of 1 or more congressionally chartered veterans' organizations, for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring April 15, 2025. 

The Michigan Veterans' Facility Authority Board of Directors governs the Michigan Veterans' Facility Authority and consists of the Director of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and eight members appointed by the Governor who have professional knowledge, skill, or experience in long-term care, health care licensure or finance, or medicine.    

These appointments, except for the appointment of Ms. Naber, are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.  

Human Trafficking Commission 

Judy Emmons, of Sheridan, is the legislative district director for Sen. Rick Outman and the former State Senator for the 33rd Senate District. She is also the owner and operator of Emmons Farms dairy farm. Sen. Emmons is reappointed to represent individuals submitted by the Senate Majority Leader for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring March 1, 2023. 

Kathy Maitland, of Sterling Heights, is the executive director at the Michigan Abolitionist Project. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Management and Organizational Development from Spring Arbor University. Ms. Maitland is appointed to represent individuals submitted by the Senate Majority Leader for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring March 1, 2023. She succeeds Shari Montgomery whose term expired March 1, 2021. 

The Human Trafficking Commission is designed to identify sources for grants that will assist in examining and countering human trafficking, fund research programs to determine the extent and nature of human trafficking in this state, and provide information and training to police officers, prosecutors, court personnel, social services personnel, and other individuals.   

These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.  

Advisory Board for the Michigan Intelligence Operations Center for Homeland Security 

Kimberly Buddin, of Novi, is the policy council for ACLU of Michigan. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Psychology from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor degree from the Michigan State University College of Law. Ms. Buddin is reappointed to represent a resident of this state who represents a statewide, non-profit organization advocating for civil liberties and privacy protections, for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring April 11, 2025. 

Mark E. Reene, of Vassar, is the prosecuting attorney for Tuscola County. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from University of Michigan Flint and a Juris Doctor degree from the National Law Center at George Washington University. Mr. Reene is reappointed to represent the office of a county prosecuting attorney or the Prosecuting Attorneys' Association of Michigan, for a term commencing April 23, 2021 and expiring April 11, 2025. 

The State of Michigan's Intelligence Operations Center shall collect, evaluate, collate, and analyze information and intelligence and then, as appropriate, disseminate this information and intelligence to the proper public safety agencies so that any threat of terrorism or criminal activity will be successfully identified and addressed. 

These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. 

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