Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions 

May 9, 2024

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Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the following appointments to the Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity, Michigan Board of Chiropractic, Michigan Board of Licensed Midwifery, State Fire Safety Board, Michigan Education Trust, Board of Law Examiners, and Midwest Higher Education Compact.

Today’s appointees represent Michigan’s young professionals, communities of color, seniors, and more. The appointees announced this week build on Governor Whitmer’s work to ensure appointees reflect Michigan’s diverse population. Sixty percent of appointees are women or people of color, and the Whitmer cabinet is the most diverse in Michigan history.

Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity

Kerry Lenaghan-Baughman, of Traverse City, serves as the executive director for the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency. She has been with the agency for the past 17 years and has also held a position as the early childhood programs director prior to moving into the role of executive director. Lenaghan-Baughman received her Bachelor of Arts in social science and her Master of Arts in sociology from Eastern Michigan University. Kerry Lenaghan-Baughman is reappointed to represent community action agencies for a term commencing June 22, 2024, and expiring June 21, 2027.

Shamayim Harris, of Highland Park, is the founder of The Avalon Village, a non-profit community organization. Additionally, she serves on the Highland Park Board of Education. Shamayim Harris is reappointed to represent low-income persons for a term commencing June 22, 2024, and expiring June 21, 2027.

Justin D. Hodge, of Ypsilanti, is the chair of county commission for Washtenaw County and a clinical associate professor of social work at the University of Michigan. Hodge received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and Asian studies and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. Justin Hodge is reappointed to represent elected public officials for a term commencing June 22, 2024, and expiring June 21, 2027.

Ravi Yalamanchi, of Rochester Hills, is the president of INFIN, Financial Services Alliance Inc. and the CEO of the Plymouth Housing Commission. Yalamanchi received a Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Science from Osmania University, a Master of Arts in international trade from Eastern Michigan University, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. Ravi Yalamanchi is reappointed to represent the private sector for a term commencing June 22, 2024, and expiring June 21, 2027.

The Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity was created to provide opportunity for low-income persons to actively participate in the development of policies and programs to reduce poverty and serves as a statewide forum to address the needs and concerns of low-income people in the state of Michigan.

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

Michigan Board of Chiropractic

Ahmed Hassouna, of Canton, is a partner at Novara Tesija Catenacci McDonald & Baas. Hassouna received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Toledo College of Law. Ahmed Hassouna is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing May 9, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2027. Ahmed Hassouna succeeds Michael Connelly who has resigned.

The Michigan Board of Chiropractic was originally formed with the enactment of Public Act 145 of 1933. On September 30, 1978, this authority was transferred to the Public Health Code, Public Act 368 of 1978, as amended. The “practice of chiropractic” means that discipline within the healing arts that deals with the human nervous system and the musculoskeletal system and their interrelationship with other body systems. The Board also has the obligation to take disciplinary action against licensees who have adversely affected the public’s health, safety, and welfare. The board works with the department to oversee the practice of approximately 2,863 chiropractors.

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

Michigan Board of Licensed Midwifery

Araya Montero, of Traverse City, is a practicing licensed midwife at Two Hearted Midwifery. Additionally, she is transitioning out of her role as president of the Michigan Midwives Association. Montero received a Bachelor of Science in midwifery from Birthingway College of Midwifery. Araya Montero is appointed to represent midwives for a term commencing May 9, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2027. Araya Montero succeeds Sandra McCurdy whose term has expired.

The Michigan Board of Licensed Midwifery is housed within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The Board works with the Department to establish and implement the licensure program for the practice of midwifery in the state.

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

State Fire Safety Board

Brian Talvensaari, of Marquette, is the battalion chief at the Marquette City Fire Department. Additionally, he is a licensed residential builder and a licensed emergency medical technician. Talvensaari received his associate’s degree in fire science from the Lake Superior State University. Brian Talvensaari is reappointed to represent organized fire departments in the Upper Peninsula for a term commencing July 16, 2024, and expiring July 15, 2028.

Jeramie Morris, of Saginaw, is a global fire protection manager at Dow Inc. He has previously worked as an assistant chief at the Saginaw Township Fire Department. Morris is a National Fire Protection Association certified fire protection specialist and a certified fire inspector. Morris received his Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice and communication from Saginaw Valley State University. Jeramie Morris is reappointed to represent the chemical manufacturing industry for a term commencing July 16, 2024, and expiring July 15, 2028.

Tavis Millerov, of Williamston, is a fire marshal at Meridian Township Fire Department in Okemos, Michigan. Additionally, he is a national fire protection association certified fire plans examiner, a licensed national fire protection association inspector I and II, and a licensed Michigan fire inspector. Millerov received his Bachelor of Science in fire science from Lake Superior State University. Tavis Millerov is reappointed to represent organized fire departments in the Lower Peninsula for a term commencing July 16, 2024, and expiring July 15, 2028.

Randall Halstead, of Lowell, is an operations manager at Homeworks Tri-County Propane. Halstead is a licensed mechanical contractor. Randall Halstead is reappointed to represent the liquified petroleum gas industry or the flammable compressed gases industry for a term commencing July 16, 2024, and expiring July 15, 2028.

Julie Bulson, of Grand Rapids, is director of business assurance for Corewell Health. Bulson received a Nursing degree from Blodgett School of Nursing, and a Bachelor of Science, Master of Public Administration in Healthcare Leadership and Doctor of Nursing Practice in Health Systems Leadership from Grand Valley State University. Julie Bulson is reappointed to represent hospital administration for a term commencing July 16, 2024, and expiring July 15, 2028.

Timothy Jury, of St. Clair, is the director of operations at Randazzo Heating and Cooling. Additionally, he has also worked as a Service Technician at Williams Refrigeration and Heating. He is a licensed electrical contractor, journeyman electrician, and mechanical contractor. Jury received his climate control certificate from Northwestern Technological Institute. Timothy Jury is appointed to represent licensed electrical contractors or master electricians for a term commencing July 16, 2024, and expiring July 15, 2028. Timothy Jury succeeds David Williams who has resigned.

The State Fire Safety Board assists in the development of fire safety rules covering the construction, operation, and maintenance of schools, health care facilities, penal facilities, and state-owned and leased facilities. The Board assists in the operation and maintenance of public assembly and other buildings, oversight of delegation of fire inspection responsibilities, and serves as an administrative hearing body on decisions made by the Bureau of Fire Services.

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

Michigan Education Trust

Dr. Calvin C. Cupidore Jr., of Farmington Hills, is a retired education consultant. He is also a board member of the Michigan Certified Development Corporation. Additionally, he was formerly a board member of the Franklin Village Planning Commission, the chief financial officer of the Michigan Department of Education and an assistant superintendent of business services for the school district of the City of Pontiac. Cupidore Jr. received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Hunter College, and a Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Education from Walden University. Dr. Calvin C. Cupidore Jr. is appointed to represent the nominee of the Speaker of the House for a term commencing May 9, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2026. Calivn Cupidore succeeds Ronald Wiser whose term has expired.

The Michigan Education Trust (MET) is a qualified tuition program 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. The MET Board of Directors also serve as an advisory board for the Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP).

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

Board of Law Examiners

Brittany Schultz, of Birmingham, is a current in-house counsel for Ford Motor Company, where she represents Ford in a variety of civil litigation and commercial matters. Additionally, she serves as a member of the Michigan Supreme Court Justice For All Commission. Schultz received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Michigan and her Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School. Brittany Schultz is reappointed to represent the nominee of the Michigan Supreme Court for a term commencing July 1, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2029.

The Board of Law Examiners is responsible for investigating and examining all persons who initially apply for admission to the Michigan bar. The Board may adopt suitable regulations, subject to approval by the Supreme Court, concerning the performance of its functions and duties.

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

Midwest Higher Education Compact

Emma Young, of East Lansing, is a policy analyst at the Executive Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in international relations and social relations and policy from Michigan State University. Emma Young is appointed to represent the governor’s designee for a term commencing May 9, 2024, and expiring March 18, 2027. Emma Young succeeds Brandy Johnson, who is now an at-large member.

Brandy Johnson, of Lansing, is the president of the Michigan Community College Association, a role she has had since leaving State service in 2021. Prior to that, she was the director of the Office of 60×30 in the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, a policy advisor on education and workforce in the Whitmer Administration, and executive director of the Michigan College Access Network. Johnson received a Bachelor of Science in political science from Arizona State University and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan. Brandy Johnson is appointed to represent at-large members for a term commencing May 9, 2024, and expiring March 18, 2027. Johnson succeeds Bill Pink whose term has expired.

Daniel Hurley, of Okemos, is the CEO of the Michigan Association of State Universities. Previously, he was an associate vice president for government relations and state policy at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Hurley received a Bachelor of Science in public relations from Grand Valley State University, a Master of Science in career and technical education from Ferris State University, and a Ph.D. in Public Administration from Western Michigan University. Daniel Hurley is appointed to represent at-large members for a term commencing May 9, 2024, and expiring March 18, 2025. Hurley succeeds David Eisler who has resigned.

The Midwestern Higher Education Compact is to provide greater higher education opportunities and services in the Midwestern region, with the aim of furthering regional access to, research in and choice of higher education for the citizens residing in the several states which are parties to this Compact. The Midwestern Higher Education Commission consists of five resident members of each state: The Governor or the Governor’s designee, a legislator from each house, and two other at-large members.

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