McDaniel receives ICBA award for volunteerism

Retired Brigadier General and WMU-Cooley Law School Associate Dean Michael C.H. McDaniel was presented with the Ingham County Bar Association’s Camille S. Abood Distinguished Volunteer Award for his pro bono work during the bar association’s 123rd annual dinner, Nov. 16.

The Volunteer Award is presented annually to a member of the Ingham County Bar Association who has distinguished himself or herself by making voluntary contributions of time and talent for the benefit of others.

During the presentation McDaniel was honored for his willingness to help the community, state and nation when called upon.  Before joining WMU-Cooley, McDaniel served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Homeland Defense Strategy, Prevention and Mission Assurance. His responsibilities included supervision of the Department of Defense Critical Infrastructure Protection Program and Global Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection Policy.

From 2003–2009, McDaniel accepted an appointment from then Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm as Homeland Security Advisor. In 2013, following Lansing’s massive power outage when 96,000 customers — 40 percent of Lansing’s Board of Water and Light's customers — went without power for up to 11 days, McDaniel offered his help, and was appointed to be the leader of the Community Review Team. In 2016, McDaniel was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to the Flint Water Interagency Coordinating Committee (FWICC). McDaniel led the critical effort to replace the city’s decayed lead water pipes. Simultaneously to Governor Snyder’s appointment, Mayor of Flint, Michigan, Karen Weaver, appointed McDaniel to lead the city’s “FAST Start Program” to eliminate lead contamination in the City’s drinking water system.

“While I’m honored to be presented the Camille S. Abood Distinguished Volunteer Award, it is a greater honor to be called upon to help our communities during times of need,” said McDaniel. “As an attorney, it is important to lead by example and encourage others to use their talents to help their neighbors. I did not look to receive an award when being asked to help, instead I knew within my heart I had to do the right thing.”