Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 10, 2026 

Contact: press@michigan.gov 

Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced appointments to the following boards and commissions: Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health, and Sports; Oakland University Board of Trustees; Michigan Indigent Defense Commission; Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification; Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) Board; Michigan Board of Massage Therapy; Residential Builders’ and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors’ Board; Michigan Municipal Services Authority Executive Committee; Detroit Wayne County Port Authority Board of Directors; Michigan Arts and Culture Council; Michigan Historical Commission;  and Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission. 

Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports

Alicia Mullin, of Detroit, is the director of team business operations for the Detroit Clutch, one of the newest expansion teams in the PWHL. Prior to Detroit Clutch, Mullin was the chief operating officer of the American Cornhole League. Mullin holds a Bachelor of Arts in literature from Brown University. Mullin is appointed for a term commencing November 10, 2026, and expiring April 30, 2028.  Mullin succeeds Michelle Mattison, whose term has expired. 

The Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports was established in 1992 to improve the health of, and increase physical activity among, Michigan residents.     

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

Oakland University Board of Trustees 

Korry Bates, of Grosse Pointe Park, is a Michigan-licensed certified public accountant (CPA) and a Director in the Assurance Services practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC). Bates holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in accounting from Oakland University. Bates will be appointed to a term beginning November 16, 2026, and expiring August 11, 2034. Bates succeeds Brian Calley, whose term has expired. 

Oakland University Board of Trustees governs and 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 Indigent Defense Commission 

Brandy Robinson, of Detroit, is the chief defender and executive director at the Federal Community Defender Office. Robinson also serves on the Appellate Defender Commission. Robinson holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and African American studies and Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan. Brandy Robinson is appointed as a member submitted by the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan for a term commencing November 10, 2026, and expiring April 1, 2028. Robinson succeeds Michael Carter, who has resigned. 

The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission was created as a result of efforts to improve legal representation for indigent criminal defendants. The Commission develops and oversees the implementation, enforcement, and modification of minimum standards, rules, and procedures to ensure that indigent criminal defense services providing effective assistance of counsel are delivered to all indigent adults in this state consistent with the safeguards of the United States Constitution, the State Constitution of 1963, and with the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Act.   

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

Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification 

Jane McCurry, of Canton, is the executive director of Clean Fuels Michigan. McCurry received a Bachelor of Science in environmental studies and a Bachelor of Business Administration in operations and technology management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Jane McCurry is reappointed to represent business, policy, research or technological leaders in future mobility for a term commencing November 10, 2026, and expiring October 21, 2030. 

Jacob Whiton, of Detroit, is a research specialist at the United Auto Workers. Whiton holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics and urban studies from the University of Toronto and a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University. Jacob Whiton is appointed to represent business, policy, research or technological leaders in future mobility for a term commencing November 10, 2026, and expiring October 21, 2030. Whiton succeeds Jeffrey Dokho, whose term has expired. 

The Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification serves in an advisory capacity to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, the Governor, and the Legislature, providing annual recommendations on changes in state policy. In doing so, the Council works to ensure Michigan continues to be an epicenter of future transportation solutions around mobility and electrification. 

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

Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) Board

Renee Wright, of Grand Blanc, is a paraprofessional for Grand Blanc Community Schools and serves as president of the Grand Blanc Paraprofessional Association. Wright holds an associate degree in applied science in pharmacy technician from Baker College. Renee Wright is appointed to represent active or retired noncertified educational support positions for a term commencing November 10, 2026, and expiring March 30, 2029. Wright succeeds Leslie Bailey-Leonard, who has resigned. 

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.    

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

Michigan Board of Massage Therapy 

Paul Mattson, of Farmington, is the chief executive officer of Vita Nova Massage and an instructor at Irene’s Myomassology Institute. Mattson holds a Bachelor of Arts in human services from Lake Superior State University. Paul Mattson is appointed as a massage therapist for a term commencing November 10, 2026, and expiring December 31, 2028. Mattson succeeds Savannah Sadler, who has resigned. 

The Michigan Board of Massage Therapy was created to regulate the application of a system of structured touch, pressure, movement, and holding to the soft tissue of the human body in which the primary intent is to enhance or restore the health and well-being of the client. The Board of Massage Therapy consists of 11 members: 7 massage therapists and 4 public members. Each member serves 4-year terms.  

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

Residential Builders’ and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors’ Board

Dan Garan, of Grosse Pointe Farms, is a building inspector and plan reviewer for the City of Detroit. Garan holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications and psychology from the College of Wooster. Dan Garan is appointed as a licensed builder for a term commencing November 10, 2026, and expiring March 31, 2030. Garan succeeds Aleemullah Khan, whose term has expired. 

The Michigan 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 Municipal Services Authority Executive Committee

Angela Rogensues, of Warren, is a city council member for the City of Warren and the founder and principal consultant at Common Road Advisors, LLC. Rogensues holds a Bachelor of Science in health studies and psychology from Michigan State University and a Master of Arts in educating adults from DePaul University. Angela Rogensues is reappointed for a term commencing November 10, 2026, and expiring February 9, 2029. 

Scott Erbisch, of Marquette, is the former county administrator for Marquette County. Erbisch holds a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Western Michigan University and a Master of Public Administration from Northern Michigan University. Scott Erbisch is reappointed for a term commencing November 10, 2026, and expiring February 9, 2029. 

The Authority is a public body corporate created in 2012 through an Interlocal Agreement between the cities of Grand Rapids and Livonia. The purpose of this Agreement is to create and empower the Authority to exercise the common powers, privileges, and authority of the parties to engage in cooperative activities with other public agencies consistent with this agreement. The Authority is a "virtual" city authorized to do anything a Michigan municipal corporation can do but it has no geographic boundaries.    

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

Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority Board of Directors 

Nabih Ayad, of New Boston, is an attorney and the founder and president of Ayad Law. Ayad holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Wayne State University and a Juris Doctor from the Michigan State University College of Law. Nabih Ayad is reappointed for a term commencing November 10, 2026, and expiring September 30, 2030.   

The Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority (DWCPA) is to plan, develop, and promote Detroit as a freight transportation and distribution hub for U.S. Midwest and Southwestern Ontario businesses and their customers and vendors, for the purpose of fostering economic growth in the City of Detroit, Wayne County, and the State of Michigan.   

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

Michigan Arts and Culture Council 

Kim Koeman, of Holland, is the director of impact at Steelcase, where she leads the Better Futures Community and advances corporate social impact, philanthropy, and community partnerships. Prior to her current role, Koeman held global roles in philanthropy and branding at MillerKnoll, served as a fellow with CEO Action for Racial Equity, and was the educator for youth and family programs at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Koeman holds a Bachelor of Arts in art from Calvin University and a Master of Arts in human development and family studies from the University of Missouri – Columbia. Kim Koeman is appointed for a term commencing November 10, 2026, and expiring September 1, 2029. Koeman succeeds Anessa Kramer, whose term has expired.   

The Michigan Arts and Culture Council serves to encourage, develop, and facilitate an enriched environment of creative and cultural activity in Michigan. The Council envisions a Michigan where every citizen celebrates the state's cultural treasures and arts, and cultural experiences are accessible to all its citizens.   

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

Michigan Historical Commission 

Shannon Martin, of Barry, is retired and the former director of the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture and Lifeways, a center she helped conceptualize, design, and develop. Martin was also instrumental in negotiating the Sanilac Petroglyphs joint management agreement between the State of Michigan and the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe. Martin holds a Bachelor of Science in environmental engineering from the University of Michigan. Shannon Martin is appointed for a term commencing November 10, 2026, and expiring May 21, 2029. Martin succeeds Eric Hemenway, who has resigned. 

The Michigan Historical Commission was established in 1913 and advises the director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources on the museum, archival and other programs of the Michigan Historical Center. It approves Michigan Historical Markers and each year; the Michigan Historical Commission presents the Governor John B. Swainson Award to state and local government employees who do not work in the field of history but have made exceptional contributions to preserving and interpreting the stories of Michigan's past.   

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

Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission 

Snehasis Ganguly, of Canton, is a consultant and lead engineer at Ford. Ganguly was previously a senior engineering analyst at the Center for Automotive Research. Ganguly holds a Bachelor of Technology in aeronautical engineering and a Master of Technology in aerospace engineering from Indian Institute of Technology. Ganguly also holds a Doctor of Philosophy in mechanical engineering from Clarkson University. Snehasis Ganguly will be reappointed for a term commencing December 1, 2026, and expiring November 30, 2030. 

Peng Du, of Farmington Hills, is the executive director and accounting manager at the Association of Chinese Americans, Inc. Du received a Bachelor of Science in accounting at Wayne State University and Master of Business Administration in global leadership from Cleary University. Peng Du will be reappointed for a term commencing December 1, 2026, and expiring November 30, 2030. 

Laurel Capobianco, of Marquette, is chief executive officer at iCare Pathways. Capobianco has previously been vice president at BCC International Education Group. Capobianco received a Bachelor of Science in child development and mental health from Cornell University and a Master of Social Work in nonprofit management from University of Michigan. Laurel Capobianco will be reappointed for a term commencing December 1, 2026, and expiring November 30, 2030. 

Mandeep Singh, of Troy, is a stay-at-home dad and community organizer whose work focuses on food access, youth leadership, and community service. Singh also founded Aasraa, a Michigan nonprofit that serves meals through SevaTruck of Michigan and offers youth self-defense and leadership programs and serves as the director of events and volunteer coordinator at Sikh Youth Alliance of North America. Singh previously served six years as president of Sikh Gurdwara in Rochester Hills and co-founded Dasvandh Network in 2010. Singh holds a Bachelor of Arts in management information systems from University of Missouri - Saint Louis. Mandeep Singh will be reappointed for a term commencing December 1, 2026, and expiring November 30, 2030.  

Anu Gopalakrishnan, of Plymouth, is director of mobility initiatives at United Way for Southeastern Michigan. Gopalakrishnan have previously been the head developer at Developers Alliance. They received a Bachelor of Arts in English literature at Stella Maris College and Master of Arts in liberal studies. Anu Gopalakrishnan will be reappointed for a term commencing December 1, 2026, and expiring November 30, 2030.   

The Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission (MAPAAC)’s vision is to be an exemplary commission by adding public value to the State of Michigan and the Asian Pacific American community by fully engaging Asian Pacific Americans across the state.  

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

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