Appointments

Press Release

Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the following appointments to the Michigan Cherry Committee, Michigan Tree Fruit Commission, Black Leadership Advisory Council, Michigan Citizen-Community Emergency Response Coordinating Council, and the Chair of the Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity.

Michigan Cherry Committee

Dave Hackert, of Ludington, is the vice president of Indian Summer Co-op where he oversees farm and process operations and coordinates with growers. Mr. Hackert is appointed to represent District 2 sweet cherry growers for a term commencing April 26, 2022 and expiring February 1, 2025. He succeeds Daryl Peterson whose term expired February 1, 2022.

Caleb Herrygers, of Hart, is the operations manager for Herrygers Farms. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Agribusiness Management with a specialty in Food and Industry Management from Michigan State University. Mr. Herrygers is appointed to represent District 2 tart cherry growers for a term commencing April 26, 2022 and expiring February 1, 2025. He succeeds Michael DeRuiter whose term expired February 1, 2022.

Marc Willmeng, of Watervliet, is the owner and manager at Marc Willmeng Farms, LLC. He holds a Certificate in Hospitality Management from Cape Coral Technical College. Mr. Willmeng is appointed to represent District 3 tart cherry growers for a term commencing April 26, 2022 and expiring February 1, 2025. He succeeds Joseph Muvrin whose term expired February 1, 2022.

The Michigan Cherry Committee was developed for the purpose of improving the economic position of the Michigan red tart and sweet cherry growers by creating greater marketing opportunities for their fruit. The Committee conducts advertising and promotion programs, assembles, and disseminates market information, and supports research into new marketing methods.

These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Tree Fruit Commission

Mark A. Miezio, of Suttons Bay, is the president of Cherry Bay Orchards. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois and a Master of Business Administration from Michigan State University. Mr. Miezio is reappointed to represent District 1 growers for a term commencing April 26, 2022 and expiring March 1, 2025.

Daniel A. Dietrich, of Conklin, is the owner of Ridgeview Farms, a farm operated through family-owned Dietrich Orchards. Mr. Dietrich is appointed to represent District 2 growers for a term commencing April 26, 2022 and expiring March 1, 2025. He succeeds Michael VanAgtmael whose term expired March 1, 2022.

Gerrit Herrygers, of Hart, is the lead sales representative and certified crop advisor for Wilbur-Ellis Company and the crop manager for Herrygers Farms. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agribusiness Management from Michigan State University. Mr. Herrygers is appointed to represent District 2 growers for a term commencing April 26, 2022 and expiring March 1, 2025. He succeeds Jim Engelsma whose term expired March 1, 2022.

The Michigan Tree Fruit Commission was created pursuant to the Agricultural Commodities Marketing Act for the purpose of improving the economic position and competitiveness of the Michigan tree fruit industry.

These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Black Leadership Advisory Council

Christopher Burtley, of Flint, is an attorney with Barnes and Thornburg, LLP. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Michigan State University's James Madison College and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Mr. Burtley is reappointed to represent Black leadership in law and a member between the ages of 18-35 for a term commencing April 26, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2024.

Jerry L. Clayton, of Ypsilanti, is the Sheriff of Washtenaw County. He also serves as a training consultant for the National Institute of Corrections and CEO of The Cardinal Group II, a policing and corrections training company. Sheriff Clayton is reappointed to represent Black leadership in community safety and preparedness for a term commencing April 26, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2024.

Kevin T. Jones, of Saginaw, is the founder of Blactiquing, a black art and black history museum exhibit. He's also a senior associate and lead of ambassador and community evaluation for Morino Ventures. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan, a Master of Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a Master of Public Health from the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Jones is appointed to represent Black leadership in arts and culture for a term commencing April 26, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2023. He succeeds Rochelle Riley.

Bryan Lewis, of Southfield, is the executive director of EcoWorks, an environmental non-profit organization. He holds a Master of Science in Energy Science, Technology & Policy, and Bachelor of Science degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering and Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University. Mr. Lewis is appointed to represent Black leadership in the environmental sector and a member between the ages of 18-35, for a term commencing April 26, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2024. He succeeds Justin N. Onwenu whose term expired December 31, 2021.

Latrice M. McClendon, of Detroit, is the community president of Detroit for Huntington Bank. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Communications from Eastern Michigan University. Mrs. McClendon is appointed to represent Black leadership in economics for a term commencing April 26, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2024. She succeeds Theresa Roach whose term expired December 31, 2021.

Kathy Purnell, Ph.D., of Kalamazoo, is the principal and founding attorney of the Human/Civil Rights Law Center and senior coordinator of advocacy and intake for the Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Harvard University, a Ph.D. in Government from Cornell University, and a Juris Doctor degree from the DePaul University College of Law. Dr. Purnell is reappointed to represent Black leadership in law and a member who is an immigrant or individual with expertise in immigration policy. She will serve for a term commencing April 26, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2024.

Deirdre Waterman, M.D., of Pontiac, is the founder and director of the Spirit of Pontiac Community Foundation and recently served as the Mayor of Pontiac. She also worked as an ophthalmologist and consultant for the Wellness Plan. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Chicago and a Doctor of Medicine from Meharry Medical College. Dr. Waterman is appointed to represent Black leadership in public policy and health and wellness for a term commencing April 26, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2023. She succeeds Carl M. Williams.

Nathaniel Wells, of Saint Joseph, is the lead pastor of the Greater Community Church of God in Christ in Benton Harbor and Holy Trinity Church of God in Christ in Muskegon. He holds an Associate of Arts in Business Administration from Muskegon Community College and an Associate of Arts in Pastoral Studies from Moody Bible Institute. Pastor Wells is appointed to represent Black leadership in the faith-based community for a term commencing April 26, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2022. He succeeds Pastor James E. Atterberry, Sr.

The Black Leadership Advisory Council was created by Governor Whitmer's Executive Order 2020-163 as an advisory body in the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. The Council acts in an advisory capacity to the governor and develops, reviews, and recommends policies and actions designed to eradicate and prevent discrimination and racial inequity in Michigan.

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

Michigan Citizen-Community Emergency Response Coordinating Council

Jeffrey W. Parsons, of Kalamazoo, is an emergency management specialist with the Kalamazoo County Office of Emergency Management. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration from Western Michigan University. Mr. Parsons is appointed to represent individuals with technical expertise related to emergency response for a term commencing April 26, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2025. He succeeds Kerry Minshall whose term expired December 31, 2021.

John Dulmes, of Kentwood, is the executive director of the Michigan Chemistry Council. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy from Hope College. Mr. Dulmes is appointed to represent individuals with technical expertise related to emergency response for a term commencing April 26, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2025. He succeeds Sara Stoddard whose term expired December 31, 2021.

The Michigan Citizen-Community Emergency Response Coordinating Council (MCCERCC) assists in developing, maintaining, implementing and in supporting and promoting emergency response principles, strategies and practices within governmental agencies and private sector organizations in Michigan.

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

Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity Chair

Justin D. Hodge, of Ypsilanti, is a county commissioner for Washtenaw County and a clinical assistant professor of social work at the University of Michigan. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Asian Studies and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. The Governor has designated Commissioner Hodge to serve as Chair of the Commission for a term commencing April 26, 2022 and expiring at the pleasure of the Governor.

The Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity was created to provide opportunity for low-income persons to actively participate in the development of policies and programs to reduce poverty and serves as a statewide forum to address the needs and concerns of low-income people in the state of Michigan.

Chair designations are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

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