October 29, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 29, 2021
Contact: press@michigan.gov
Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions
LANSING, Mich. - Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the following appointments to the State Building Authority Board of Trustees, State Construction Code Commission, Michigan Board of Nursing, Autism Council, Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services, and the Utility Consumer Participation Board.
State Building Authority Board of Trustees
Todd A. Begerowski, of New Baltimore, is the vice president of Dearborn Mid-West Company and the president of the Michigan Conveyor Manufacturers Association. He holds a certificate from the Millwright Institute of Technology and a certificate in executive leadership from the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business. Mr. Begerowski is appointed for a term commencing October 29, 2021 and expiring August 21, 2025. He succeeds Peter F. Schwartz whose term expired August 21, 2021.
Price F. Dobernick, of St. Johns, is the business manager and financial secretary for the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 333. He holds a pipefitter certificate from the UA Local 333 Apprenticeship Program. Mr. Dobernick is appointed for a term commencing October 29, 2021 and expiring August 21, 2025. He succeeds Patrick Devlin whose term expired August 21, 2021.
The State Building Authority was created to acquire, construct, furnish, equip, and renovate buildings and equipment for the use of the state, including public universities and community colleges. The Authority is authorized to issue and sell bonds and notes for acquisition and construction of facilities and state equipment.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
State Construction Code Commission
Todd J. Drouillard, of West Bloomfield, is an architect and the principal in charge of Harley Ellis Devereaux in Southfield. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Master of Architecture from Lawrence Technological University. Mr. Drouillard is appointed to represent the field of architecture for a term commencing October 29, 2021 and expiring January 31, 2023. He succeeds Jonathon Jackson who has resigned.
Shanna Draheim, of East Lansing, is the policy research director at Michigan Municipal League. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Michigan State University James Madison College and a Master of Public Affairs and Environmental Management from Indiana University. Ms. Draheim was appointed to the Commission by Governor Whitmer in 2020 and the Governor has designated her to serve as the Chairperson of the Commission.
The State Construction Code Commission was created to improve the quality of housing for Michigan residents while assisting the housing industry. The Commission may study the effect of the code, and other related laws, to ascertain their effect on the cost of building construction and maintenance, and the effectiveness of their provisions for insuring the health, safety. and welfare of the people of this state. The Commission may take testimony and hold hearings relating to any aspect or matter relative to the administration or enforcement of this act.
Mr. Drouillard's appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Board of Nursing
Grace A. Jacek, DNP, of Dearborn, is an assistant clinical professor at the University of Detroit-Mercy McAuley School of Nursing. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Detroit-Mercy. Dr. Jacek is appointed to represent nurse practitioners for a term commencing October 29, 2021 and expiring June 30, 2025. She succeeds Nanette Watson who has resigned.
Larissa Miller, Ph.D., of East Lansing, is the associate executive director of nursing practice for the Michigan Nurses Association. She holds a Ph.D. in Organization and Educational Leadership from Concordia University and a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing from Michigan State University. Dr. Miller is appointed to represent registered professional nurses with a baccalaureate degree who are engaged in nursing practice or nursing administration, for a term commencing October 29, 2021 and expiring June 30, 2024. She succeeds Lori Poloni-Long who has resigned.
The Michigan Board of Nursing was created to establish qualifications for nurse licensure, to establish standards for education and approve nurse education programs, develop and implement criteria for assurance of continued competency, and take disciplinary action against licensees when the health, safety, and welfare of the public has been adversely affected.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Autism Council
Krista M. Boe, of Grand Rapids, is the chief clinical officer and chief operating officer for Acorn Health. She is a board-certified behavior analyst and holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Biology from Central Michigan University and a Master of Arts in Behavior Analysis from Western Michigan University. Ms. Boe is reappointed to represent certified behavior analysts for a term commencing October 29, 2021 and expiring September 30, 2025.
Brian DeBano, of Laingsburg, is the licensing division director for the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Michigan State University James Madison College and a Master of Public Administration from Western Michigan University. Mr. DeBano is reappointed as the Designee of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs for a term commencing October 29, 2021 and expiring September 30, 2025.
Jenny M. K. Piatt, of Chelsea, is the division administrator for the Rehabilitation Services Business Network Division of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Wayne State University and a Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling from Michigan State University. Ms. Piatt is reappointed to represent Michigan Rehabilitation Services and employment services for a term commencing October 29, 2021 and expiring September 30, 2025.
Raymie Postema, of Marshall, is the director of the Office of Recipient Rights within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Western Michigan University. Ms. Postema is appointed to represent Recipient Rights for the public system for a term commencing October 29, 2021 and expiring September 30, 2025. She succeeds Kent Rehmann whose term expired September 30, 2021.
The Autism Council is charged with overseeing Michigan's Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) State Plan. The Council will implement, monitor, and update the Michigan ASD State Plan which will provide for comprehensive, lifespan supports to individuals with ASD and their families through access to information and resources, coordination of services, and implementation of evidence-based practices.
These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services
Steven Locke, of Auburn, is the executive director of the Statewide Independent Living Council. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Graphic Design from Saginaw Valley State University. Mr. Locke is appointed to represent a designee of the Statewide Independent Living Council for a term commencing October 29, 2021 and expiring December 31, 2022. He succeeds Yvonne Fleener who has resigned.
The Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services reviews, analyzes, and advises Michigan's rehabilitation programs and services. The Council works to improve public vocational rehabilitation services delivered by the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) and Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS).
This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Utility Consumer Participation Board
Leah Wiste, of Detroit, is the executive director of Michigan Interfaith Power & Light. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Women's Studies from Carleton College and a Master of Arts in Sociocultural Anthropology from the University of California-Davis. Ms. Wiste is appointed for a term commencing October 29, 2021 and expiring January 12, 2023. She succeeds QuanTez Pressley who has resigned.
The Utility Consumer Participation Board provides grants to qualified applicants that represent the interests of Michigan's residential energy (gas, electric, and other fuel) utility customers at residential energy proceedings before the Michigan Public Service Commission. Funding is generated through annual assessments of certain regulated utility companies.
This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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