Governor Appoints New Strategic Fund Board, Land Bank

LANSING – Gov. Whitmer has appointed a new Michigan Strategic Fund Board of Directors after eliminating the previous one and replacing it with one she created in the executive order she issued setting up the new Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

Whitmer also named Jeff Mason of Bath, the president and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, as the president of the Michigan Strategic Fund for a term expiring at the pleasure of the governor. The MEDC CEO traditionally holds that position.

Here are the appointments by the governor:

MICHIGAN STRATEGIC FUND BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The initial appointments are Britany Affolter-Caine of Ypsilanti to represent a member with experience in commercialization of technology for a term expiring July 31, 2020; Charles Rothstein of Farmington Hills to represent a member from the private sector with experience in private equity or venture capital investments and Susan Tellier of Caledonia to represent a member from the private sector, both for terms ending July 31, 2021; Ronald Beebe of Midland to represent a member submitted by the Senate majority leader representing individuals within the private sector with experience in private equity or venture capital investments, commercial lending, or commercialization of technology and Paul Gentilozzi of Lansing to represent a member submitted by the speaker of the House of Representatives representing individuals within the private sector with experience in private equity or venture capital investments, both for terms ending July 31, 2022; and September Hargrove of Detroit to represent a member from the private sector with experience in commercial lending and Cindy Warner of Traverse City to represent a member from the private sector, both for terms expiring July 31, 2023. The appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

STATE LAND BANK AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The initial appointments are Helen Lehman of Ada for a term expiring July 31, 2020; Kyleeuna Mitchell Wells of Southfield for a term expiring July 31, 2022; Krysta Pate of Detroit for a term expiring July 31, 2021; and Lisa Webb Sharpe of Okemos for a term expiring July 31, 2023. The appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

MICHIGAN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL: The initial appointments are Gail Alpert of West Bloomfield to represent nonprofit organizations that promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and Christian Velasquez of Midland to represent economic sectors of this state that rely upon a workforce with education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, both for terms expiring September 30, 2020; Mary Bacon of Paris to represent K-12 and postsecondary educational institutions involved with science, technology, engineering and mathematics career preparation or education and Wendy Winston of Grand Rapids to represent K-12 and postsecondary educational institutions involved with science, technology, engineering and mathematics career preparation or education, both for terms expiring September 30, 2021; Lee Graham of Holly to represent economic sectors of this state that rely upon a workforce with education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, Tonya Matthews of Detroit to represent K-12 and postsecondary educational institutions involved with science, technology, engineering and mathematics career preparation or education and Adam Zemke of Ypsilanti to represent economic sectors of this state that rely upon a workforce with education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, all for terms expiring September 30, 2022; Jacqueline Huntoon of Houghton to represent K-12 and postsecondary educational institutions involved with science, technology, engineering and mathematics career preparation or education and Daniel Williams of Grand Rapids to represent nonprofit organizations that promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, both for terms expiring September 30, 2023.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) designates Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia) and Sen. Dale Zorn (R-Ida) as non-voting members, and House Speaker Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) designates Rep. Padma Kuppa (D-Troy) and Rep. Brad Paquette (R-Niles) as non-voting members.

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

This story was published by Gongwer News Service.