FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 23, 2024 Contact: [email protected]
Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the following appointments to the Michigan Aeronautics Commission, Ski Area Safety Board, Michigan Board of Accountancy, Michigan Board of Social Work, Michigan Board of Counseling, Suicide Prevention Commission, Board of Examiners in Mortuary Science, and Michigan Opioids Task Force. 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.
Michigan Aeronautics Commission
Ben Carter, of Farmington Hills, is the executive vice president and chief operating officer for Trinity Health. He is also a pilot and certified flight instructor. Carter received a Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. Benjamin Carter is reappointed for a term commencing May 23, 2024, and expiring May 27, 2028 The Michigan Aeronautics Commission is responsible for the general supervision of all aeronautics within the state. The Commission is empowered by state law to make rules and regulations governing all airports, flight schools, and other aeronautical activities. This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Ski Area Safety Board Charles Gano, of Indian River, serves as general counsel at Boyne Resorts. Gano received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Miami University, and Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve University. Charles Gano is reappointed to represent the Central United States Ski Association for a term commencing June 9, 2024, and expiring June 8, 2028. Benjamin Bartz, of Wakefield, is the chief of mountain operations at Midwest Family Ski Resorts. Bartz received an associate’s degree in ski area management from Gogebic Community College, and a bachelor’s degree in ski area management from Northern Michigan University. Benjamin Bartz is appointed to represent Upper Peninsula Ski Area Managers for a term commencing June 9, 2024, and expiring June 8, 2028. Benjamin Bartz succeeds Samuel Bracket who has resigned.
The Michigan Ski Area Safety Board was created to license and regulate ski areas and ski lifts in Michigan. The Board works with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to oversee the operation of ski areas, surface and chair lifts, and rope tows. These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Michigan Board of Accountancy Jacquelyn Dupler, of Dewitt, is an attorney and shareholder at Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C. Dupler received a Bachelor of Arts in international studies and political science from Michigan State University, and a Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law. Jacquelyn Dupler is reappointed to represent a general public member who is an attorney for a term commencing July 1, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2028.
Charles L. Moore Jr., of Lansing, is a certified public accountant and owner of C.L. Moore & Associates. Moore received a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Adrian College. Charles Moore is reappointed to represent certified public accountants for a term commencing July 1, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2028.
The Michigan State Board of Accountancy is responsible for the certification, licensure, and regulation of certified public accountants and public accounting firms in Michigan.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Board of Social Work
China Sells, of Grand Rapids, is a housing resource specialist at Inner City Christian Federation Community Homes. Sells is a graduate of Carthage Senior High School. China Sells is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing May 23, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2026. She succeeds Jasmine Calhoun whose term has expired.
The Michigan Board of Social Worker registers social workers in Michigan. Social Work is the professional application of social work values, principles, and techniques to counseling or to helping an individual, family, group, or community to enhance or restore the capacity for social functioning and/or provide, obtain, or improve tangible social and health services.
This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Board of Counseling
Roberto Overton, of Berrien Center, is a school-based therapist for InterCare Community Health Network. He has also worked as an academic advisor for Southwestern Michigan College and as an English as a second language interventionist at Benton Harbor Area Schools. Overton is both a national certified counselor and a licensed professional counselor. Overton received both a Bachelor of Science in education and a Master of Science in counseling and human services from Indiana University. Roberto Overton is reappointed to represent individuals engaged primarily in providing counseling techniques, behavior modification techniques, or preventative techniques to clients for a term commencing July 1, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2028. Rotesa Baker, of Detroit, is an adjunct faculty member at Oakland University, Eastern Michigan University, and Central Michigan University. She has also worked as a practicum site supervisor at Grand Canyon University, an adjunct faculty member at Eastern Michigan University, an associate faculty member at University of Phoenix, a licensed professional counselor at Oakland Psychological Clinic, and as a guest lecturer at the University of Detroit. Baker is a nationally licensed certified counselor. Baker received a Bachelor of Science in psychology and rehabilitation services from Florida State University, and a Master of Arts in counseling from Eastern Michigan University. Rotesa Baker is reappointed to represent individuals engaged primarily in teaching, training, or research in counseling for a term commencing July 1, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2028. The Michigan Board of Counseling was enacted as part of the Public Health Code to license counselors who render to individuals, groups, families, organizations, or the general public a service involving the application of clinical counseling principles, methods, or procedures in an educational, business, health, private practice, or human services setting. The Public Health Code mandates certain responsibilities and duties for a health professional licensing board including promoting and protecting the public’s health, safety, and welfare. These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Suicide Prevention Commission Dr. Natalie Kasiborski, of Petoskey, is an assistant professor for Michigan State University’s Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, and a public health consultant. Additionally, she is the director of the Womens Resource Center of Northern Michigan and past director of the School Community Health Alliance of Michigan. Dr. Kasiborski received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Public Health and Doctor of Philosophy from Michigan State University. Dr. Natalie Kasuboski is appointed to represent a member nominated by the school community health alliance for a term commencing May 23, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2024. Dr. Natalie Kasiborski succeeds Debra Brinson whose term has expired. Gregory S. Ginebaugh, of Lansing, is fire chief and emergency manager for the Delta Township Fire Department. He was previously the deputy fire chief for the City of Kentwood Fire Department. Ginebaugh is also a program instructor for the Center for Domestic Preparedness. Gregory S. Ginebaugh is reappointed to represent a member nominated by the Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs for a term commencing May 23, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2024. Sheriff Wilbur Yancer, of Lake City, is the Missaukee County Sheriff. Additionally, he is a certified police officer with over forty years of law enforcement experience, including working in all area’s including corrections, dispatch, patrol, investigations, and supervision. He previously served as the department honor guard, department marine division, and past coordinator of the Saginaw County Major Crimes Unit. Sheriff Yancer is reappointed to represent a member who is a suicide loss survivor and is nominated by the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association for a term commencing May 23, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2024. Frank K. Fischer, of Plymouth, is the executive director of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Michigan. He is also the executive director of The Dominique Fischer Memorial Foundation. Fischer received his Bachelor of Arts in business management from Western Michigan University. Fischer is reappointed to represent a national health care system whose work in this state focuses on providing comprehensive behavioral health services to children, adolescents, and adults throughout this state for a term commencing May 23, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2024. Dr. Kenneth Wolf, of West Bloomfield, is the CEO of the Incident Management Team. He is a licensed psychologist and has served as police psychologist, special deputy sheriff for Wayne County, as well as a psychological consultant for the Detroit Police Department. Dr. Wolf received a Bachelor of Arts in government from Columbia College and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Wayne State University. Dr. Kenneth Wolf is reappointed to represent a member who is experienced in crisis intervention for suicide response and is nominated by the Police Officers Association of Michigan for a term commencing May 23, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2024. This Suicide Prevention Commission works with state departments, and agencies, and nonprofit organizations on researching the causes and possible underlying factors of suicide in this state. These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Board of Examiners in Mortuary Science Brian Joseph, of St. Claire Shores, is the owner of Chas. Verheyden, Inc., a southeast Michigan funeral home and cremation service. Joseph received an associate’s degree in pre-mortuary science from Macomb Community College and a Bachelor of Science in mortuary science from Wayne State University. He is a licensed mortician of the State of Michigan. Brian Joseph is reappointed to represent professionals for a term commencing July 1st, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2028. The Michigan Board of Examiners in Mortuary Science was created to license and regulate the practice of mortuary science and funeral establishments in Michigan. The Board works with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to oversee the practice of mortuary science licensees, residential trainees, and funeral homes. This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Michigan Opioids Task Force Bradley Casemore, of Battle Creek, is the chief executive officer of Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health. He also is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and a former member of the Opioid Advisory Commission. Casemore received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and sociology, a Master of Social Work in administration, and a Master of Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan. Bradley Casemore is reappointed to represent PIHP region 4 for a term commencing June 15, 2024, and expiring June 14, 2028. Kristie Schmiege, of Royal Oak, is the director of strategic initiatives at the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of the Greater Detroit Area. Schmiege received a Bachelor of Science in clinical-community psychology from the University of Michigan-Flint, and a Master of Public Health from University of the Michigan School of Public Health. Kristie Schmiege is reappointed to represent PIHP region 8 for a term commencing June 15, 2024, and expiring June 14, 2028. The Michigan Opioids Task Force was created as an advisory body within the Department of Health and Human Services and consists of 12 members of the executive branch of state government. Members of the Task Force are ex officio members and serve at the pleasure of the governor. The director of the Department shall designate the chairperson of the Task Force. These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. |
Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions
