FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 25, 2022 Contact: [email protected]
Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the following appointments to the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority, Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, Michigan Board of Licensed Midwifery, Michigan Board of Medicine, Michigan Board of Physical Therapy, Michigan Public School Employees’ Retirement Board of Directors, Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission, Governor’s Educator Advisory Council, and the Michigan Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.
Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority Board of Directors
Claude Molinari, of Northville, is the president and CEO for the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from Point Park University. Mr. Molinari is reappointed to represent the governor for a term commencing September 1, 2022, and expiring August 31, 2026.
The Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority is responsible for overseeing the development, ongoing management, and operation of Huntington Place, formerly Cobo Hall, in an efficient and effective manner. Created by the Regional Convention Facility Authority Act of 2008, the authority is a municipal public body corporate and politic, and is a metropolitan authority authorized by section 27 of article VII of the state constitution of 1963.
This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards
Issa Shahin, of Dearborn, is the chief of police for the Dearborn Police Department. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Master of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from Eastern Michigan University. Chief Shahin is appointed to represent the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police for a term commencing August 25, 2022, and expiring December 31, 2022. He succeeds Ronald Moore who has resigned.
The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) executes its statutory responsibility to promote public safety in Michigan by setting standards for selection, employment, licensing, license revocation, and funding in law enforcement and criminal justice, in both the public and private sectors.
This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Board of Licensed Midwifery
Patrice E. Bobier, of Hesperia, is the senior midwife for Full Circle Midwifery Service Incorporated. She holds a Certified Professional Midwife credential from the North American Registry of Midwives. Ms. Bobier is reappointed to represent midwives for a term commencing August 25, 2022, and expiring December 31, 2025.
Mahesh Shrestha, of Kalamazoo, is an assistant professor and pediatrician for Western Michigan University. She holds a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery from Universal College of Medical Sciences. Dr. Shrestha is appointed to represent certified pediatricians for a term commencing August 25, 2022, and expiring December 31, 2025. She succeeds Donald Greydanys whose term expired December 31, 2021.
Kimberley D. Sims, of Muskegon Heights, is the home school administrator and childbirth advocate for Just BE Doula Services and More. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Video Communication from Grand Valley State University. Ms. Sims is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing August 25, 2022, and expiring December 31, 2025. She succeeds Claretta Duckett-Freeman whose term expired December 31, 2021.
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.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Board of Medicine
Mary S. Stearns, of Spring Lake, is an independent consultant for Kent Intermediate School District. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Social Studies from Ball State University and a Master of Arts in Special Education from Columbia University. Mrs. Stearns is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing August 25, 2022, and expiring December 31, 2025. She succeeds Shereen Tabrizi whose term expired December 31, 2021.
Kathy J. VanderLaan, of Greenville, is a retired business development manager for The Right Place. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech, Communication & Theatre from Albion College. Ms. VanderLaan is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing August 25, 2022, and expiring December 31, 2025. She succeeds Renee Johnston whose term expired December 31, 2021.
Nancy L. Wayne, Ph.D., of Ann Arbor, is a professor emerita of physiology for the UCLA School of Medicine. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Northwestern University. She also holds a Ph.D. in Physiology from the University of Michigan. Dr. Wayne is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing August 25, 2022, and expiring December 31, 2023. She succeeds Stacey Frankovich who has resigned.
The Michigan Board of Medicine works with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to oversee the practice of medical doctors in the state. 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 responsibility is implemented by the Board by ascertaining minimal entry level competency of medical doctors and requiring continuing medical education during licensure.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Board of Physical Therapy
Sara Burhans, of Portage, is the wellness coordinator for Bells Brewery. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from Western Michigan University. Ms. Burhans is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing August 25, 2022, and expiring December 31, 2025. She succeeds Syed Rob whose term expired December 31, 2021.
Katie Kiter, of Lansing, is a consultant for Envision Strategies. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Michigan State University. Mrs. Kiter is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing August 25, 2022, and expiring December 31, 2025. She succeeds Michael Winkler whose term expired December 31, 2021.
Jaharah Muhammad, of Detroit, is the outreach coordinator for Hope Starts Here Detroit. She is certified in Cyber Security from Cisco and holds a certificate of achievement in Computer Networking Academy from Henry Ford Community College. Ms. Muhammad is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing August 25, 2022, and expiring December 31, 2025. She succeeds Allison Ives whose term expired December 31, 2021.
The Michigan Board of Physical Therapy works with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to oversee the licensing of physical therapists in this state and ascertains the minimal entry level competency of health practitioners. 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.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Public School Employees’ Retirement Board of Directors
Mark W. Greathead, of Brownstown, is the superintendent for Woodhaven-Brownstown School District. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Master of Arts in Education Leadership from Eastern Michigan University. Mr. Greathead is appointed to represent superintendents for a term commencing August 25, 2022, and expiring March 30, 2025. He succeeds Jeffrey Crouse who has resigned.
James Pearson, of Highland, is a retired public school teacher for Huron Valley School District. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from Western Michigan University and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from University of Michigan. Mr. Pearson is reappointed to represent retired teachers for a term commencing August 25, 2022, and expiring March 30, 2026.
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.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission
Jon Gale, of Twin Lake, is the chief of police for Norton Shores. He holds a Master of Public Administration in Criminal Justice from Grand Valley State University. Chief Gale is appointed to represent local units of government for a term commencing August 25, 2022, and expiring May 27, 2023. He succeeds Ronald Wiles who has resigned.
Michael J. Poulin, of North Muskegon, is the sheriff for Muskegon County. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Grand Valley State University. Sheriff Poulin is reappointed to represent local units of government for a term commencing August 25, 2022, and expiring May 27, 2025.
The Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission shall identify traffic safety challenges and develop, promote, and implement strategies to address those challenges. The Commission shall develop comprehensive solutions to traffic safety challenges through partnerships with all levels of government and the private sector, while maximizing and coordinating the use of existing financial resources.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Governor’s Educator Advisory Council
Owen D. Bondono, of Washington Township, is a teacher with Oak Park Public Schools. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education in Secondary English Education and English as a Second Language from Wayne State University. Mr. Bondono is appointed to represent teachers for a term commencing August 25, 2022, and expiring May 9, 2026. He succeeds Ruth Ryannen who has resigned.
Nanette M. Hanson, of Gladstone, is a teacher with Escanaba Area Public Schools. She holds a Bachelor of Elementary Education and a Master of Education Administration from Northern Michigan University. Mrs. Hanson is appointed to represent the Michigan Teacher of the Year for a term commencing September 1, 2022, and expiring August 31, 2023. She succeeds Leah Porter whose term expires August 31, 2022.
Joseph D. Sbar, of Sault Ste. Marie, is a school psychologist for the Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District in Sault Ste. Marie. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Arts in School Psychology from Michigan State University. Mr. Sbar is appointed to represent counselors for a term commencing August 25, 2022, and expiring May 9, 2025. He succeeds Cathy Longstreet who has resigned.
The Governor’s Educator Advisory Council was created by Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order No. 2019-9. The Council will review and make recommendations regarding legislation relevant to this state’s public education system, identify and analyze issues impacting the effectiveness of Michigan’s public education system, identify best practices in public education and recommend corresponding changes and improvements to Michigan’s public education system, and provide other information or advice relevant to public education.
These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee
Safwan Badr, M.D., of West Bloomfield, is the chair of internal medicine for Wayne State University School of Medicine. He holds a Doctor of Medicine from Damascus University School of Medicine and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee. Dr. Badr is appointed to represent physicians for a term commencing August 25, 2022, and expiring October 1, 2023. He succeeds Anthony Ognjan whose term expired October 1, 2021.
Mehvish S. Khan, Pharm.D., of West Bloomfield, is the inpatient staff pharmacist for St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Oakland University and a Doctor of Pharmacy from Wayne State University. Dr. Khan is appointed to represent pharmacists for a term commencing August 25, 2022, and expiring October 1, 2023. She succeeds Danielle Melford whose term expired October 1, 2021.
Patricia Railling, of Portage, is the staff pharmacist for Ascension Borgess Hospital. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology from Ferris State University and a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Research from Eastern Virginia Medical School. Ms. Railling is appointed to represent pharmacists for a term commencing August 25, 2022, and expiring October 1, 2023. She succeeds Rony Foumia who |
Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions
