Snyder makes appointments to six boards and commissions

Gov. Rick Snyder last week announced 16 appointments and reappointments to multiple boards and commissions.

“I thank this committed group of Michiganders for their service on these boards and commissions,” Snyder said.

Midwestern Higher Education Compact
Appointment:

Casandra Ulbrich, of Rochester Hills, is the vice president of college advancement and community relations at Macomb Community College. She previously served as the director of corporate and foundation relations at Wayne State University. Ulbrich earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Michigan, and master’s degree in communication and Ph.D. in communication from Wayne State University. She will serve as the State Board of Education representative.

Ulbrich will serve a term expiring at the pleasure of the Governor.

Michigan Trails Advisory Council
Appointments:
John Matonich, of Marenisco, retired in 2016 as CEO of Rowe Professional Services Company. He served as the firm’s chief operating officer from 1992 to 1999 and president from 1997 to 2014 before becoming CEO. He earned his bachelor’s degree in land surveying from Michigan Technological University. He will represent snowmobile owners and replace Frank Wheatlake.

Matonich will serve the remainder of a four-year term expiring Jan. 17, 2020. He will also serve as chair at the pleasure of the governor.

Joe Kuchnicki, of Alanson, is the general manager at Dobbs Motorsports in Harbor Springs. He has more than 20 years of experience as a marine technician, working with large marinas on the Great Lakes.
He will represent snowmobile owners and replace James Dickie.

Kuchnicki will serve the remainder of a four-year term expiring Jan. 17, 2021.

Jessi Adler, of Okemos, is a public relations manager at Michigan State University. Previously, she served as communications director at the Michigan Community Service Commission and was a communications specialist at Emergent BioSolutions. Adler earned her bachelor’s degree in business from Ferris State University. She will represent ORV owners and replace Tim Kobasic.

Adler will serve the remainder of a four-year term expiring Jan. 17, 2022.

Patty Janes, of Spring Lake, is a professor in the hospitality and tourism management program at Grand Valley State University. She previously served as a professor at Central Michigan University dedicated to the Commercial Recreation and Facility Management major. Janes earned her bachelor’s degree in recreation administration and Master of Science in administration from Central Michigan University as well as a Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Resources from Michigan State University. She will represent Equine Trailways Subcommittee and replace Sarah Nicholls.

Janes will serve the remainder of a four-year term expiring Jan. 17, 2022.

Jenny Cook, of Kalamazoo, is the equine property manager at Running W Ranch in Kalamazoo. In addition, she serves as the co-owner and office manager of Advantage Outdoor Service. Cook is active in the community, serving as the Shoreline Horseback Riding Coordinator, volunteers at Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center and as a horse course teacher at Kalamazoo Christian Middle School. She will represent Equine Trailways Subcommittee and replace Michael R. Foote.

Cook will serve the remainder of a four-year term expiring January 17, 2022.

Reappointment:

Thomas Dunn, of Lansing, is the president of The American Motorcyclist Association District 14 where he oversees the day-to-day operations of a 3,000-member non-profit organization that promotes motorcycle rights, riding and racing. Dunn is an Automotive Serve Excellence certified mechanic and State of Michigan licensed automotive mechanic in Lansing. He will continue to represent ORV owners.

Dunn will serve the remainder of a four-year term expiring Jan. 17, 2021.

Governor’s Talent Investment Board
Appointments:

Kristin Beltzer, Haslett, is the director of gubernatorial appointments for Gov. Rick Snyder. She previously served as executive vice president and chief marketing officer for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. Beltzer earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from Michigan State University and master’s degree in public administration from Western Michigan University. She will represent youth providers and replace Rhetta Hunyady.

Beltzer will serve the remainder of a three-year term expiring April 15, 2020.

William Robinson, of Lansing, serves as director of the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons for the state of Michigan. Previously, he served as president and CEO of the National Accreditation Council for Blind and Low Vision Services, Inc., as well as an investment representative for Robinson Business Consulting. Robinson earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He will represent vocational rehab programs and replace Suzanne Howell.

Robinson will serve the remainder of a three-year term expiring April 15, 2019.

Advisory Council on Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing

Appointment:

Joanne Forbes, of Royal Oak, is the department chair of sign language interpretation discipline at Oakland Community College, is a Deaf Arts Festival Board member, and teaches baby sign language at The Honey Studio. She holds a bachelor’s in business administration from Rochester Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in sign language teaching from Gallaudet University. She will represent individuals knowledgeable in the field of deafness and replace Kathleen Mitchell.

Forbes will serve a three-year term expiring Jan. 18, 2020.

Developmental Disabilities Council

Appointments:

Price Pullins, of Kalamazoo, is a chief behavioral psychologist and consultant with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. He holds both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Western Michigan University. He will represent both an individual from the state agency that administers funds provided under Title V of the Social Security Act and an individual from the state agency that administers funds provided under Title XIX of the Social Security Act and replace Lisa Grost.

Pullins will serve a four-year term expiring Sept. 30, 2022.

Kelly Rockwell, of West Bloomfield, is co-founder, creative director, and sits on the board of directors for MiWork Matters as well as design director for One10 Marketing. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the Center for Creative Studies College of Art in Detroit. She will represent a local, non-governmental agency concerned with services for individuals with developmental disabilities with sufficient authority to engage in policy planning and implementation and fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Lois Arnold.

Rockwell will serve the remainder of a four-year term expiring September 30, 2019.

Brad Rivard, of Rockford, is the director of business development for Select Specialty Hospital and is a board member of the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University and a Master of Business Administration from Northwood University. He will represent a parent or guardian of a child with developmental disabilities and fill a vacancy.

Rivard will serve the remainder of a four-year term expiring Sept. 30, 2019.

Reappointment:

Deborah Rock, of Pewamo, is a regional parent mentor at The Arc of Kent County. She previously served as a teacher paraprofessional at Portland High School. She holds a teacher paraprofessional certificate from Lansing Community College. She will continue to represent a parent or guardian of a child with developmental disabilities.

Rock will serve a four-year term expiring Sept. 30, 2021, she will also serve as chair for a term expiring at the pleasure of the Governor.

Detroit Financial Review Commission

Appointments:

John Walsh, of Livonia, is the budget director for the state of Michigan. Previously, he served as director of strategic policy for Gov. Rick Snyder. Walsh earned his bachelor’s degree in public policy analysis from Michigan State University and law degree from Wayne State University Law School. He will replace Darrell Burks and serve a four-year term expiring Nov. 9, 2022.

Ronald Rose, of Birmingham, worked in the legal profession for more than 45 years before retiring as partner at Dykema Gossett. He earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Pennsylvania and law degree from University of Michigan Law School. He will fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Bill Martin and serve the remainder of a four-year term expiring Nov. 9, 2020.