FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 25, 2024

Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the following appointments to the MEDC Executive Committee.

“To keep growing our economy and ensure we can compete to lead the future of cars, chips, and clean energy, I am proud to make several appointments to the MEDC Executive Committee that span industry and geography,” said Governor Whitmer. “Since I took office, we have secured more than 37,000 auto jobs, brought the supply chain of electric vehicle batteries and semiconductor chips home, and produced more clean American energy using American workers. With skilled MEDC leadership, we will keep our foot on the accelerator and build a brighter future for Michigan.”

The appointees announced this week build on Governor Whitmer’s work to ensure appointees reflect Michigan’s diverse population. Sixty percent of Whitmer’s appointees since day one have been women or people of color, and the Whitmer cabinet is the most diverse in Michigan history.

MEDC Executive Committee

April Clobes, of Bath Township, is president and CEO of Michigan State University Federal Credit Union. In addition, she is also the CEO of Roseda Group.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts in marketing and Master of Arts in advertising and public relations from Michigan State University and a Master of Business Administration from Western Michigan University. April Clobes is reappointed to represent business for a term commencing April 25, 2024, and expiring April 5, 2028.

Krista Flynn, of Ada, is the Midwest regional executive for PNC Bank, where she previously served as West Michigan market leader. Prior to joining PNC, Flynn was the West Michigan president for Huntington Bank. Flynn is dedicated to service and currently sits on the Grand Rapids Convention and Arena Authority, the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the Grand Action 2.0 Executive Committee. Flynn earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from University of Michigan and a Master of Science in finance from Walsh College. Krista Flynn is reappointed to represent business for a term commencing April 25, 2024, and expiring April 5, 2028.

Fadwa Hammoud, of Dearborn, is an attorney and the Detroit managing member of the Miller Johnson law firm. Prior to private practice, Hammoud served as Chief Deputy Attorney General and, from 2019 to 2022, as Michigan’s Solicitor General. She is a past member of the Dearborn Board of Education, Henry Ford Community College Board of Trustees, and the Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs. Hammoud holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and communications from the University of Michigan Dearborn and a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University. Fadwa Hammoud is appointed to represent business for a term commencing April 25, 2024, and expiring April 5, 2028. Hammoud succeeds Phillip Shaltz, whose term is expired.

Bobby J. Hopewell, of Kalamazoo, is currently the president and CEO of Mobile Health Resources (MHR), an entity that supports emergency medical services nationwide, including patient billing services. MHR is also the largest provider of EMS patient experience surveying in the county. Prior to his current position, Hopewell was the longest serving mayor of Kalamazoo, where he focused on comprehensive community development, public safety services, accountability, equality, innovation and efforts to prepare young people for the world. In addition to his work as mayor, Hopewell served as the administrative director of Borgess Health Park in Battle Creek and hospitality services director at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. Before joining Borgess, Hopewell served as the community relations manager for Bronson Healthcare—and before Bronson, as operations manager at Life EMS Ambulance.  Hopewell has served as chair of the Michigan Urban Core Mayors Association and as a board member for the Michigan Municipal League and Pretty Lake Camp. Bobby Hopewell is reappointed to represent business for a term commencing April 25, 2024, and expiring April 5, 2028.

Thomas Lutz, of White Lake, is the executive secretary treasurer of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights (MRCC), one of the largest skilled trades unions in Michigan, representing more than 14,000 carpenters, millwrights, and floorlayers throughout the state. Since joining the MRCC 34 years ago, Lutz has worked as a business agent, apprenticeship instructor, marketing director and recently served as president of the organization. He has also served on a variety of boards and commissions, including the Michigan Manufactured Housing Commission, the Michigan Works Workforce Development Board, and the Oakland County Construction Labor Advisory Board. Lutz earned an associate degree from Schoolcraft College and has obtained numerous professional certifications. Thomas Lutz is reappointed to represent business for a term commencing April 25, 2024, and expiring April 5, 2028.

Sheldon Neeley, of Flint, is the current mayor of Flint and a lifelong resident. Mayor Neeley spent much of his professional career working as a broadcast engineer for WJRT-12 in Flint and, until 2020, was the local union president for the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians-Communications Workers of America. He was elected to the Flint City Council for the first time in 2005, and later served in the Michigan House of Representatives, before being elected mayor in 2019. While in the House, Neeley served as chair of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus. Neeley earned an associate degree from Delta Community College and attended Saginaw Valley State University. Sheldon Neeley is reappointed to represent public entities for a term commencing April 25, 2024, and expiring April 5, 2028.

Anthony Tomczak, of Commerce, is the vice president of electric sales and marketing for DTE Energy. Previously, Tomczak served as vice president of corporate services and chief procurement officer where he was responsible for strategic management of the company’s procurement, supplier performance management, warehousing, fleet, facilities and real estate organizations. He is a member of numerous boards and commissions across the state and nation cocused in economic growth, energy, and conservation. Tomczak earned a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering from Purdue University, and a Master of Science in industrial operations from Lawrence Technological University. Anthony Tomczak is reappointed to represent business for a term commencing April 25, 2024, and expiring April 5, 2028.

Bob Sutherland, of Maple City, is the President and Owner of Cherry Republic, a retail line of more than 200 cherry-based products growing out of a love for Northern Michigan. Sutherland is also the former board president of the Michigan Land Use Institute, a founding member of the Great Lakes Business Network, and a former Leelanau County Commissioner. Sutherland is also a board member of the Michigan League of Conversation Voters. Sutherland earned a Bachelor of Arts in education, speech, and English from Northern Michigan University. Bob Sutherland is appointed to represent business for a term commencing April 25, 2024, and expiring April 5, 2028. Bob Sutherland succeeds Fay Beydoun, whose term is expired.

Carla Walker-Miller, of Detroit, is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Walker-Miller Energy Services, the state’s first company owned by a Black woman to obtain a B Corporation Certification. Walker-Miller is a champion for equity and the promotion of a clean energy ecosystem. In addition to running her company, she serves on numerous boards and committees, including the Mayor of Detroit’s Workforce Development committee, and the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council.  She is also the Executive Committee Chair for the Detroit Means Business Coalition and a trustee for the Hudson-Webber Foundation. Walker-Miller received her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Tennessee State University.  Walker-Miller is appointed to represent business for a term commencing April 25, 2024, and expiring April 5, 2028. Carla Walker-Miller succeeds Ryan Waddington, whose term is expired.

The MEDC Executive Committee provides policy direction and guidance to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation regarding economic development program and initiatives, approves the MEDC corporate budget, and appoints the chief executive officer who administers all programs, funds, personnel, and all other administrative transactions of the MEDC. The MEDC Executive Committee supports the MEDC through governance, support to enable results-based action, and advocacy for the organization and economic development in Michigan.

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