Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions June 25, 2020

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced the following appointments to the Mackinac Bridge Authority, Michigan Board of Nursing, Michigan Board of Pharmacy, and the Governor’s Educator Advisory Council.

Mackinac Bridge Authority

Marianna Caroline Cheeseman, of St. Ignace, is the director of compliance for the First National Bank of St. Ignace. She holds a Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Accounting from Northeastern University. Ms. Cheeseman is appointed to represent Democrats for a term commencing July 1, 2020 and expiring June 30, 2026. She succeeds Brad Canale whose term expires June 30, 2020.

William G. Milliken, Jr., of Ann Arbor, is the owner of Milliken Realty Co. and a trustee with Washtenaw Community College. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Colorado College. Mr. Milliken is appointed to represent Independents for a term commencing July 1, 2020 and expiring June 30, 2026. He succeeds Matthew McLogan whose term expires June 30, 2020.

The Mackinac Bridge Authority is committed to preserving and maintaining the state of Michigan’s single largest asset and one of the world’s leading suspension bridges to provide safe, pleasurable, and expedient passage over the Straits of Mackinac for economic benefit and improved quality of life.

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

Michigan Board of Nursing

LeQuay S. Brown, of Detroit, is a licensed practical nurse with West Oaks Senior Care and Rehab. She holds a certified nursing assistant certificate from the Barnabas Health Care School and a diploma from the practical nursing program at Dorsey Schools. Ms. Brown is appointed to represent licensed practical nurses for a term commencing June 25, 2020 and expiring June 30, 2023. She succeeds Alana Thomas whose term expired June 30, 2019.

Kimberly S. Lindquist, Ph.D., of Monroe, is the dean of health sciences and the director of nursing at Monroe County Community College. She holds a Ph.D. in Nursing Leadership from Walden University and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Toledo. Dr. Lindquist is appointed to represent registered professional nurses with a master’s degree who are engaged in nursing education in a licensed practical nurse program, for a term commencing July 1, 2020 and expiring June 30, 2024. She succeeds Mary VanderKolk whose term expires June 30, 2020.

Lori Long-Poloni, of Beulah, is a registered professional nurse and the patient aligned care team manager at the Veterans Administration Traverse City Community Base Outpatient Clinic. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Madonna University. Ms. Long-Poloni is appointed to represent registered professional nurses with a baccalaureate degree who are engaged in nursing practice or nursing administration, for a term commencing July 1, 2020 and expiring June 30, 2024. She succeeds Joshua Meringa whose term expires June 30, 2020.

The Michigan Board of Nursing was created to establish qualifications for nurse licensure, to establish standards for education and approve nurse education programs, develop and implement criteria for assurance of continued competency, and take disciplinary action against licensees when the health, safety, and welfare of the public has been adversely affected.

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

Michigan Board of Pharmacy

Kyle A. McCree, of Grand Blanc, is a community affairs manager for Consumers Energy. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Minnesota. Mr. McCree is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing June 25, 2020 and expiring June 30, 2021. He succeeds Mary Ann Victor who has resigned.

Michael A. Sleiman, PharmD, of Dearborn, is the pharmacists in charge at True Wellness Pharmacy in Van Buren Township. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy from the Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy. Mr. Sleiman is appointed to represent pharmacists for a term commencing July 1, 2020 and expiring June 30, 2024. He succeeds James Stevenson whose term expires June 30, 2020.

The Michigan Board of Pharmacy was enacted as part of the Public Health Code to oversee the practice of pharmacy as a health service, the clinical application of which includes the encouragement of safety and efficacy in the prescribing, dispensing, administering and use of drugs and related articles for the prevention of illness and the maintenance and management of health. The Public Health Code mandates certain responsibilities and duties for a health professional licensing board including promoting and protecting the public’s health, safety, and welfare.

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

Governor’s Educator Advisory Council

Eva Coleman, of Southgate, is a social issues and African American studies teacher at César Chávez Academy High School. She holds a Master of Arts in Educational Technology and a Master of Arts in Social Justice from Marygrove College. Ms. Coleman is appointed to represent teachers for a term commencing June 25, 2020 and expiring May 9, 2024. She succeeds Anne Markey whose term expired May 9, 2020.

Angela Perez, of Muskegon, is a Spanish two-way immersion teacher for Muskegon Public Schools. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching in Bilingual Education from Aquinas College. Mrs. Perez is reappointed to represent teachers for a term commencing June 25, 2020 and expiring May 9, 2024.

Mandy R. Stewart, Ph.D., of Charlotte, is the superintendent of Charlotte Public Schools. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Wayne State University. Dr. Stewart is reappointed to represent administration for a term commencing June 25, 2020 and expiring May 9, 2024.

The Governor’s Educator Advisory Council was created by Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order No. 2019-09. The Council will review and make recommendations regarding legislation relevant to this state’s public education system, identify and analyze issues impacting the effectiveness of Michigan’s public education system, identify best practices in public education and recommend corresponding changes and improvements to Michigan’s public education system, and provide other information or advice relevant to public education.

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