
Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced the following appointments to the Environmental Rules Review Committee, Michigan Natural Resources Commission, Advisory Council on Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing, Electronic Recording Commission, and the Mental Health Diversion Council.
Environmental Rules Review Committee Charles A. Lippstreu, a Democrat of Grand Rapids, is the president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Mr. Lippstreu is appointed to represent a statewide agricultural organization for a term commencing February 7, 2020 and expiring October 4, 2021. He succeeds Tyler Ernst who has resigned. Melissa Stults, Ph.D., a Democrat of Ann Arbor, is the sustainability and innovations manager for the City of Ann Arbor. She earned her Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Michigan. Dr. Stults is appointed to represent local governments for a term commencing February 7, 2020 and expiring October 4, 2021. She succeeds Mark Fowler who has resigned. The Environmental Rules Review Committee (ERRC) was created to oversee all rulemaking for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Michigan Natural Resources Commission George K. Heartwell, a Democrat of Newaygo, is the chair of the Newaygo Economic Development Organization, a member of the Environmental Law and Policy Center Advisory Board, and a member of the bi-national Great Lakes Water Quality Board. He previously served as the mayor of Grand Rapids and as a member of the Michigan State Transportation Commission. Mr. Heartwell is appointed for a term commencing February 7, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2023. He succeeds Rex Schlaybaugh whose term expired December 31, 2019. The Governor has designated Mr. Heartwell to serve as Chairperson of the Commission. The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has exclusive authority to regulate the taking of game and sportfish and is authorized to designate game species and authorize the establishment of the first open season for animals through the issuance of orders. This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Advisory Council on Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing Gerid C. Adams, of Wyoming, is a field trainer and accounts manager for CaptionCall and the president of the Great Grand Rapids Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America. He holds an Associate of Science in Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services from Grand Rapids Community College. Mr. Adams is appointed to represent deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing persons, for a term commencing February 7, 2020 and expiring January 18, 2022. He succeeds Ann Liming whose term expired January 18, 2019. Susan Caudell, of Westland, is a deaf and hard of hearing outreach teacher consultant with Wayne-Westland Community Schools. She earned her master’s degree in special education for learning disabilities from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Ms. Caudell is appointed to represent members who are knowledgeable in the field of deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing matters, for a term commencing February 7, 2020 and expiring January 18, 2022. She succeeds Todd Morrison whose term expired January 18, 2019. Sarah J. Hein, of Rochester Hills, is a staff nurse at Henry Ford Hospital, an adjunct instructor with the University of Detroit Mercy, and the board secretary for the Michigan Deaf Association and the Association of Medical Professionals with a Hearing Loss. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Detroit Mercy. Miss Hein is appointed to represent deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing persons, for a term commencing February 7, 2020 and expiring January 18, 2023. She succeeds Elizabeth Kobylak whose term expired January 18, 2020. Christopher H. Hunter, of Holt, is the former director for the Michigan Division on Deaf and Hard of hearing and a former American Sign Language instructor at Michigan State University. He holds a Master of Arts in Education, Administration and Supervision from California State University. Mr. Hunter is reappointed to represent deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing persons, for a term February 7, 2020 and expiring January 18, 2022. Kathleen L. Johnston-Calati, of Lansing, is a program manager with the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition. She holds a Master of Public Policy and Administration and a Master of Arts in English Literature and Drama from Western Michigan University. Ms. Johnston-Calati is appointed to represent members who are knowledgeable in the field of deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing matters, for a term commencing February 7, 2020 and expiring January 18, 2023. She succeeds Cynthia Caldwell whose term expired January 18, 2020. Jumana Salamey, of Dearborn, is the deputy director of the Arab American National Museum. She holds a Doctor of Audiology from Wayne State University. Ms. Salamey is appointed to represent deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing persons, for a term commencing February 7, 2020 and expiring January 18, 2023. She succeeds Thomas Shields whose term expired January 18, 2020. The Advisory Council on Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing serves to advise the Department of Civil Rights on matters pertaining to deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing persons. These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Electronic Recording Commission Brian P. Henry, of Bloomfield Hills, is the chief counsel for eTitle Agency and the chief legal officer for Orlans Associates PC. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit Mercy. Mr. Henry is appointed to represent an individual who is engaged in the land title profession, for a term commencing February 7, 2020 and expiring January 1, 2022. He succeeds Thomas Richardson whose term expired January 1, 2020. The Electronic Recording Commission keeps the standards and practices of county registers of deeds in this state in harmony with the standards and practices of offices of county registers of deeds in other jurisdictions. The Commission keeps the technology used by county registers of deeds in this state compatible with technology used by offices of county registers of deeds in other jurisdictions. This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Mental Health Diversion Council Willie E. Brooks, Jr., of Rochester Hills, is the president and CEO of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network. He holds a Master of Arts in Economics and a Master of Science in Finance from Walsh College. Mr. Brooks is reappointed to represent a Medicaid pre-paid inpatient health plan (PIHP) for a term commencing February 7, 2020 and expiring January 30, 2024. Bradley P. Casemore, of Battle Creek, is the chief executive officer of Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health. He holds a Master of Health Services Administration and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. Mr. Casemore is appointed to represent adult service agencies and/or providers from a local community mental health service program (CMHSP), for a term commencing February 7, 2020 and expiring January 30, 2024. He succeeds Ross Buitendorp whose term expired January 30, 2020. Judge Milton L. Mack, Jr., of Wayne, is the state court administrator for the Michigan Supreme Court and the former chief judge of the Wayne County Probate Court. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University. Judge Mack is reappointed to represent the State Court Administrative Office for a term commencing February 7, 2020 and expiring January 30, 2024. The Governor has designated Judge Mack to serve as Chairperson of the Council. Jessica Taylor, of Detroit, is the executive director of Chance for Life nonprofit organization and the director of training for TJA Staffing Services. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Cornerstone University. Ms. Taylor is appointed to represent community prisoner or jail re-entry for a term commencing February 7, 2020 and expiring January 30, 2024. She succeeds Betsy Hardwick 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. These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.