The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions
December 06, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 6, 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 Michigan Board of Mechanical Rules, Oakland University Board of Trustees, Michigan Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, Residential Builders' and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors' Board, Michigan Board of Social Work, Michigan Travel Commission, Workers' Compensation Board of Magistrates, Michigan Infrastructure Council, and the State of Michigan Retirement Board.
Michigan Board of Mechanical Rules
Aaron Sedine, of Cedar Springs, is the president of Engineered Heating & Cooling. He is a licensed professional engineer and earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Grand Valley State University. Mr. Sedine is appointed to represent professional mechanical engineers for a term commencing December 6, 2021 and expiring July 30, 2024. He succeeds Gerald Philo whose term expired October 1, 2020.
The Board of Mechanical Rules was created to make recommendations for mechanical code rules, issue mechanical contractor's licenses to qualified applicants, and make all orders, rules, and regulations necessary for enforcement of the provisions of the act.
This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Oakland University Board of Trustees
David Kramer, of Bloomfield Hills, is the founding principal of Gemini Risk Partners. Mr. Kramer previously served as the senior vice president of Oswald Companies and vice president of Alliant. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor degree from The George Washington University. Mr. Kramer is an officer with Hebrew Free Loans of Metropolitan Detroit and a board member with the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and the Detroit Jewish News Foundation. Mr. Kramer is appointed for a term commencing December 6, 2021 and expiring August 11, 2024. He succeeds Tonya Allen who has resigned.
The Oakland University Board of Trustees provides general supervision of the university, including control and direction of all expenditures from the institution's funds. The Board also appoints the university president as well as the secretary to the board and treasurer.
This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery
Jeffrey D. Rosenbaum, D.O., of West Bloomfield, is the medical director for Centene Corporation and a clinical assistant professor for the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from the University of Western Ontario, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Master of Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan. Dr. Rosenbaum is appointed to represent osteopathic physicians for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2025. He succeeds Diane Parrett whose term expires December 31, 2021.
The Michigan Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery works with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to regulate the practice of osteopathic medicine and surgery in this state, ascertain minimal entry level competency of health practitioners, and verify continuing medical education during licensure. The Public Health Code mandates certain responsibilities and duties for a health professional licensing board. Underlying all duties is the responsibility of the board to promote and protect the public's health, safety, and welfare.
This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Residential Builders' and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors' Board
William K. Kenney, of Whitehall, is an educator and business representative for the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights. He attended the Fennville Millwrights 1102 trade school and holds state of Michigan firefighter I & II certifications.
Mr. Kenney is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing December 6, 2021 and expiring March 31, 2023. He succeeds William Goble who has resigned.
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.
This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Board of Social Work
Maxine A. Thome, Ph.D., of Lansing, is a licensed social worker and recently retired executive director of the National Association of Social Work Michigan Chapter. She holds a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Master of Social Work, and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Michigan State University. She also holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan. Dr. Thome is appointed to represent individuals engaged primarily in the practice of social work for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2025. She succeeds Michael Fiorillo whose term expires December 31, 2021.
Shelly Vrsek, of Dexter, is the director of quality, risk, and compliance for Planned Parenthood of Michigan. She is a licensed social worker and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts in Social Work from Eastern Michigan University. Ms. Vrsek is appointed to represent individuals engaged primarily in the practice of social work for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2025. She succeeds Larry Herren whose term expires December 31, 2021.
Victor H. Weipert, Jr., of East Lansing, is a retiree and he previously served as the director of Citizens for Better Care and director of the Michigan Office of Juvenile Delinquency Services. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Mr. Weipert is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2025. He succeeds Christine Nelson whose term expires December 31, 2021.
The Michigan Board of Social Workers was created to register social workers in Michigan. Social Work is defined as the professional application of social work values, principles, and techniques to counseling or to helping an individual, family, group, or community to enhance or restore the capacity for social functioning and/or provide, obtain, or improve tangible social and health services. The Public Health Code mandates the responsibility of the board to promote and protect the public's health, safety, and welfare.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Travel Commission
Jamie M. Furbush, of Frankenmuth, is the president and CEO of the Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Commercial Recreation and Facilities Management from Central Michigan University. Ms. Furbush is appointed for a term commencing December 6, 2021 and expiring August 20, 2025. She succeeds William Parlberg whose term expired August 20, 2021.
Darren J. Ing, of Haslett, is the director of the Michigan Manufactured Housing, Recreation Vehicle & Campground Association and the president of the Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Northern Michigan University. Mr. Ing is appointed for a term commencing December 6, 2021 and expiring August 20, 2025. He succeeds Marsha Quebbeman whose term expired August 20, 2021.
Elizabeth S. Ware, of Grosse Pointe, is the vice president of sales and marketing for Mission Point Resort of Mackinac Island. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University. Ms. Ware is appointed for a term commencing December 6, 2021 and expiring August 20, 2025. She succeeds Stephen Kircher whose term expired August 20, 2021.
Brian Yopp, of Southfield, is the director of programs and operations for MotorCities National Heritage Area. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the Detroit Public Library National Automotive History Collection. Mr. Yopp is appointed for a term commencing December 6, 2021 and expiring August 20, 2025. He succeeds Camille Jourden-Mark whose term expired August 20, 2021.
The Michigan Travel Commission was established to promote, maintain, and develop the orderly growth of the Michigan travel industry. The Commission assists the Michigan Travel Bureau with the development of a comprehensive long-range master plan, annually assesses the activities and accomplishments of the Michigan Travel Bureau and works to the maximum extent practicable with those private associations, nonprofit corporations, organizations, or other private entities which promote tourism in this state.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Workers' Compensation Board of Magistrates
Marvin D. Baisel, of Grand Ledge, currently works as an associate attorney with Benton Law Group, PC. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Michigan State University James Madison College and a Juris Doctor degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Mr. Baisel is appointed for a term commencing December 13, 2021 and expiring January 26, 2023. He succeeds David DeGraw who has resigned.
The Workers' Compensation Board of Magistrates has been established as an autonomous entity within the Workers' Disability Compensation Agency per Executive Order No. 2019-13. Only workers' compensation magistrates can hear cases for which an application for hearing has been filed with the Workers' Disability Compensation Agency. The Board of Magistrates currently consists of 14 members appointed by the Governor. All members of the board shall be members in good standing of the State Bar of Michigan and have been an attorney licensed to practice in the courts of this state for 5 years or more.
This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Infrastructure Council
Marco Bruzzano, of Ann Arbor, is the senior vice president of corporate strategy and regulatory affairs for DTE Energy. He holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Business Administration from Duke University. Mr. Bruzzano is reappointed for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2024.
Erin L. Kuhn, of Norton Shores, is the executive director of the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Grand Valley State University. Ms. Kuhn is reappointed for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2024.
Beverly J. Watts, of Detroit, is the director of the Wayne County Department of Public Services. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications from Michigan State University. Ms. Watts is appointed for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2024. She succeeds David Wresinski whose term expires December 31, 2021.
The Michigan Infrastructure Council was created to bring together local utility and infrastructure owners, regional representatives, finance and policy experts, and state department leaders to coordinate infrastructure-related goals and develop a long-term strategy for Michigan's infrastructure assets. The Council will construct the statewide asset management database, facilitate the data collection strategy, and produce a 30-year infrastructure investment and management strategy for the state of Michigan.
These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
State of Michigan Retirement Board
Leo Bowman, of Bloomfield Hills, is a recently retired judge from the 6th Circuit Court of Oakland County. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oakland University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit Law School. Judge Bowman is appointed to represent a member or retirant of the Judges Retirement System for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2025. He succeeds Judge David Sawyer whose term expires December 31, 2021.
Felipe B. Karian-Torres, of Royal Oak, is an assistant prosecuting attorney for Wayne County and a judge advocate for the Michigan Army National Guard 46th Military Police Command. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University. Captain Karian-Torres is appointed to represent a current or former officer or enlisted person in the Michigan Military Establishment who is a member or retirant under the Military Retirement Provisions. He will serve for a term commencing December 6, 2021 and expiring December 31, 2022. Captain Karian-Torres succeeds Col. John Wojcik who has resigned.
The State of Michigan Retirement Board was created by Executive Order No. 2015-13, and consolidated the State Employees' Retirement System Board, the Judges' Retirement System Board, and the Military Retirement Provisions. Housed in the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget, in the Office of Retirement Services, the Retirement Board will provide oversight of the three systems that service nearly 88,000 active and retired employees.
These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
###