Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced the following appointments to the Board of Boiler Rules, Michigan Community Corrections Board, Manufactured Housing Commission, Michigan Freedom Trail Commission, Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice, Mental Health Diversion Council, and the Michigan Veterans’ Trust Fund Board of Trustees.
Glenn F. Glidden, of Paw Paw, is a mechanical engineer with Byce & Associates, Inc. He holds a bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Western Michigan University. Mr. Glidden is appointed to represent consulting engineers in this state who have boiler experience for a term commencing February 14, 2020 and expiring July 30, 2021. He succeeds David Robin who has resigned.
Donald Kronewitter, of Ionia, is a skilled trades supervisor and heating systems mechanic at Michigan State University and a mechanical contractor with Kronewitter Mechanical, Inc. He is a veteran of the United States Navy. Mr. Kronewitter is appointed to represent owners and users of boilers in this state for a term commencing February 14, 2020 and expiring July 30, 2021. He is filling a vacancy with no predecessor.
The Board of Boiler Rules was created to prescribe uniform rules for boilers; provide for the licensing of boiler inspectors, installers, and repairers; set fees for licenses, permits, inspections, and certificates; and to provide penalties for violation of the act.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Community Corrections Board
Marilena B. David-Martin, of Detroit, is the training director and deputy director of the State Appellate Defender Office. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University Law School. Ms. David-Martin is appointed to represent criminal defense attorneys for a term commencing April 1, 2020 and expiring March 31, 2024. She succeeds Keith Turpel whose term expires March 31, 2020.
Marlene Davis, Ph.D., of Southfield, is the CEO of Leadership Strategies, LLC. and an adjunct professor at Wayne State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Administration from Purdue University. Dr. Davis is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing April 1, 2020 and expiring March 31, 2024. She succeeds Cory Chavis whose term expires March 31, 2020.
William A. DeBoer, of Byron Center, is the president and CEO of the Kalamazoo Probation Enhancement Program. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Western Michigan University. Mr. DeBoer is reappointed to represent existing community alternatives programs for a term commencing April 1, 2020 and expiring March 31, 2024.
Natalie V. Thompson, of South Haven, is the chief of police for the South Haven Police Department. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Western Michigan University. Chief Thompson is appointed to represent chiefs of city police departments for a term commencing April 1, 2020 and expiring March 31, 2024. She succeeds Todd Woodcox whose term expires March 31, 2020.
The Michigan Community Corrections Board serves in an advisory capacity to the Director of the Michigan Department of Corrections and is charged with approving many components of community corrections programs including: goals, eligibility criteria, program guidelines, program standards and policies, the application process, procedures for funding, and criteria for evaluation.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Manufactured Housing Commission
Glenna J. Adams, of Lansing, is the retired property manager for Cadgewith Farms mobile home community and a member of the community’s homeowner association. Ms. Adams is appointed to fill a vacancy representing an organization whose membership consists of mobile home residents for a term commencing February 14, 2020 and expiring May 9, 2021. She succeeds Carole K. Elliott whose term expired May 9, 2012 and has remained vacant.
Michael A. Chosid, of West Bloomfield, is the operations manager and engineer for the Burkhart Road Associates, LLC. and an operations and construction engineer and sales manager for Comfort Living Homes, LLC. He holds a Master of Engineering from the University of Michigan. Mr. Chosid is appointed to represent a licensed mobile home dealer for a term commencing February 14, 2020 and expiring May 9, 2022. He succeeds Steve Karbal whose term expired May 9, 2019.
Phillip Copeland, of Holly, is the vice president of engineering for Champion Home Builders, Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Construction Engineering from Michigan Technological University. Mr. Copeland is reappointed to represent a manufacturer of mobile homes for a term commencing February 14, 2020 and expiring May 9, 2022.
Veronica K. D’Hondt, of Lake Orion, is the vice president of training and processes for Meritus Communities and a member and treasurer of the board of the Michigan Manufactures Housing Association. Mrs. D’Hondt is appointed to represent operators of licensed manufactured housing parks for a term commencing February 14, 2020 and expiring May 9, 2022. She succeeds William Lettinga whose term expired May 9, 2019.
The Manufactured Housing Commission is responsible for establishing uniform policy relating to all phases of manufactured housing, business, manufactured housing parks, and seasonal manufactured housing parks. The Commission has the legal authority to approve local governmental ordinances which would regulate manufactured housing, grant variances to the Manufactured Housing Commission Rules, approve licenses for manufactured home installer/servicers and retailers, and impose penalties on persons who have violated the Mobile Home Commission Act or Rules.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Freedom Trail Commission
Roy E. Finkenbine, Ph.D., of Livonia, is a professor of history and the director of the Black Abolitionist Archive at the University of Detroit Mercy. Dr. Finkenbine is appointed to a represent member knowledgeable in historic preservation for a term commencing February 14, 2020 and expiring February 1, 2021. He succeeds Kerry Baldwin who has resigned.
Vivian L. Ritter, of Battle Creek, is a volunteer national ambassador of the Sojourner Truth Institute in Battle Creek and a former docent with the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. She holds a bachelor’s degree in art education from Washington Adventist University. Ms. Ritter is appointed to represent local communities in which the underground railroad had a significant presence for a term commencing February 14, 2020 and expiring February 1, 2024. She succeeds C. David Teeter whose term expired February 1, 2020.
Donna Odom, of Kalamazoo, is the executive director of the Society for History and Racial Equity. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Kalamazoo College and a Master of Arts from Loyola University. Mrs. Odom is appointed to represent a member actively involved in civil rights issues for a term commencing February 14, 2020 and expiring February 1, 2021. She succeeds Kevin Turman who has resigned.
Jason Young, Ph.D., of Ann Arbor, is an associate professor of history with the University of Michigan. He earned his Ph.D. in History from the University of California. Dr. Young is appointed to represent a member of the academic community knowledgeable in African American history, for a term commencing February 14, 2020 and expiring February 1, 2024. He succeeds Roy Finkenbine whose term expired February 1, 2020.
The Michigan Freedom Trail Commission was created to preserve, protect, and promote the legacy of the Freedom Trail and Underground Railroad in Michigan. The Commission works in conjunction with state and federal authorities to sponsor commemorations and public forums and assists with applications for inclusion in the national and state register of historic places for places related to the Freedom Trail and the Underground Railroad in Michigan.
These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice
Janeé Ayers, of Detroit, is an at-large member of the Detroit City Council. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bowling Green State University. Ms. Ayers is appointed to represent a locally elected official representing general purpose local government for a term commencing February 14, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2022. She succeeds Lawrence Emig whose term expired December 31, 2019.
Amiyah L. Davis, of Detroit, is a youth council member with the Annie E. Casey Foundation. She is a graduate of Belleville High School. Ms. Davis is appointed to represent members under the age of 28 who have been, or are currently, under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system, for a term commencing December 14, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2022. She succeeds Jessica Black whose term expired December 31, 2019.
Allie Greenleaf Maldonado, of Petoskey, is the chief judge and a citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Judge Maldonado is appointed as an Indian tribal representative or other individual with significant expertise in tribal law enforcement and juvenile justice in Indian tribal communities, for a term commencing February 14, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2022. She is filling a new seat on the Committee.
Jason A. Smith, of Ann Arbor, is the director of youth justice policy for the Michigan Council on Crime Delinquency. He holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. Mr. Smith is appointed to represent private nonprofit organizations for a term commencing February 14, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2022. He succeeds Kenyatta Stephens whose term expired December 31, 2019.
The Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice is an advisory body within the Department of Human
Services that promotes the effective implementation of juvenile justice policy and greater administrative efficiency for juvenile justice programs. The Committee was created in accordance with the federal requirements under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 for receiving grant funds to support juvenile justice initiatives.
These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Mental Health Diversion Council
Sara Spencer-Noggle, of Mount Pleasant, is a Judge with the 21st Circuit Court in Isabella County. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from the Michigan State University College of Law. Judge Spencer-Noggle is appointed to represent the judiciary for a term commencing February 14, 2020 and expiring January 30, 2024. She succeeds Judge Curtis Bell whose term expired January 30, 2020.
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 implantation of a diversion action plan and provide recommendations for statutory, contractual or procedural changes to improve diversion.
This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Veterans’ Trust Fund Board of Trustees
James R. Dempsey, Jr., of Dexter, is a retired department service officer for Disabled American Veterans and a veteran of the United States Air Force. Lt. Col. Dempsey is reappointed to represent disabled American veterans for a term commencing February 26, 2020 and expiring February 25, 2023.
Carol L. Hebert, of Roscommon, is the executive director of AMVETS and a veteran of the United States Army. Mrs. Hebert is appointed to represent other congressionally chartered veterans’ organization for a term commencing February 26, 2020 and expiring February 25, 2023. She succeeds Edward Hirsch whose term expires February 25, 2020.
Thomas M. Smith, of Grosse Pointe, is the president of taktik(z), Inc. and a veteran of the United States Navy. Mr. Smith is reappointed to represent independent veterans for a term commencing February 26, 2020 and expiring February 25, 2023.
The Michigan Veterans’ Trust Fund was created in 1946 from $50 million in postwar reserve funds to provide grants for the emergency needs of veterans. The Michigan Veterans’ Trust Fund Board of Trustees governs grant policies and adjudication, county committee appointments, and expenditure from trust earnings.
These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
ONTV Feature Writer: Sammy Taromina