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Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 30, 2022

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 Liquor Control Commission, Rural Development Fund Board, Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers with Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health Diversion Council, and the State Teacher Tenure Commission.

Michigan Liquor Control Commission

Dennis G. Olshove, of Warren, is a current administrative commissioner with the Liquor Control Commission. He has been a member of the Commission since 2012. Mr. Olshove has a long history of public service and previously served as a state senator, Macomb County commissioner, and as a state representative. He holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Michigan State University. Mr. Olshove is reappointed to represent Democrats for a term commencing June 30, 2022 and expiring June 12, 2026.

The Liquor Control Commission is responsible for being the sole wholesaler for all spirit products in the state and the licensing of the manufacture and sale of all beer, wine, distilled spirits, and mixed spirit drinks in Michigan. They are responsible for the enforcement of the state's liquor laws and the rules of the Commission and the collection of excise and specific taxes on beer, wine, distilled spirits, and mixed spirit drinks.

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

Rural Development Fund Board

Victoria Leonhardt, an Independent of Marquette, is the leadership manager for Giving Tuesday. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Northern Michigan University. Ms. Leonhardt is appointed to represent residents of the Upper Peninsula for a term commencing June 30, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2025. She succeeds Fred Taccolini whose term expired December 31, 2021. 

The Rural Development Fund Board, housed in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, has oversight of the Rural Development Fund. The Board is charged with advising the Department on how to distribute tax revenue collected from mines to improve and strengthen local communities. 

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

Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers with Developmental Disabilities

Susan E. Morningstar, of Brimley, is the education services manager and disabilities coordinator for the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Lake Superior State University. Ms. Morningstar is appointed to represent tribal government within the state for a term commencing June 30, 2022 and expiring October 31, 2025. She succeeds Laurie McKenchie whose term expired October 31, 2021. 

The Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers with Developmental Disabilities strengthens and supports Michigan families of children ages birth to five with special needs by advising and assisting the Michigan Department of Education in the evaluation and continuous improvement of the Early On system.

This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. 

Mental Health Diversion Council

JoLynn Clark, of Frankenmuth, is the principal of Frankenmuth High School. She holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Psychology and Education from Central Michigan University and a Master of Arts in Secondary Education and Master of Education in Leadership from Saginaw Valley State University. Mrs. Clark is appointed to represent school systems for a term commencing June 30, 2022 and expiring January 30, 2026. She succeeds John Searles whose term expired January 30, 2022. 

Gabrielle Dresner, of Northville, is a policy associate for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Michigan State University and a Master of Social Work Policy from the University of Michigan. Mrs. Dresner is appointed to represent advocates or consumer representatives on juvenile justice issues for a term commencing June 30, 2022 and expiring January 30, 2026. She succeeds Algeria K. Wilson whose term expired January 30, 2022. 

Carlynn D. Nichols, of Southfield, is the chief clinical officer for The Children’s Center of Wayne County. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Michigan and a Master of Social Work from Wayne State University. Ms. Nichols is appointed to represent juvenile mental health treatment practitioners for a term commencing June 30, 2022 and expiring January 30, 2026. She succeeds Ronald Derrer whose term expired January 30, 2022. 

The Mental Health Diversion Council is an advisory body to the Governor within the Department of Health and Human Services charged to advise and assist in the implementation of a diversion action plan and provide recommendations for statutory, contractual, or procedural changes to improve diversion.   

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

State Teacher Tenure Commission

Andrea C. Tuttle, Ed.D., of Owosso, is the superintendent of Owosso Public Schools. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Management and Fine Arts from Alma College, and a Master of Arts in Education Administration and School Principalship and a Doctorate of Education in Education Leadership from Central Michigan University. Ms. Tuttle is appointed to represent a superintendent of schools for a term commencing July 13, 2022 and expiring August 31, 2023. She succeeds David Campbell who has resigned effective July 12, 2022. 

The State Teacher Tenure Commission acts as a board of review for all cases appealed from the decision of a controlling board involving decisions on teacher tenure matters.

This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. 

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