Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions December 16, 2021

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the following appointments to the Data Collection Agency Governing Board, Michigan Board of Massage Therapy, Michigan Board of Occupational Therapists, Task Force on Forensic Science, State 9-1-1 Committee, and the State Police Retirement Board.

Data Collection Agency Governing Board 

Emily McDonough, of Williamston, is the administrator for the Funds Administration and Self-Insured Program Division in the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology and Zoology from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctor degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Ms. McDonough is reappointed to represent the executive branch of state government for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2022.

The Data Collection Agency Governing Board is responsible for the determination of workers’ compensation data requirements for establishing workers’ disability compensation insurance rates. One member of the board is appointed by the Governor to represent the Executive Branch of state government.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Board of Massage Therapy

Allen Fender, of Redford Charter Township, is a massage therapy educator for Douglas J Aveda Institute. He is a licensed massage therapist and studied massage therapy at Irene’s Myomassology Institute. Mr. Fender is appointed to represent massage therapists for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2025. He succeeds Charlie Franklin whose term expires December 31, 2021.

Amelia Lipovsky, of White Lake, is a massage manager and licensed massage therapist with Rodnick Chiropractic and the president and founder of Free Outreach, an anti-sex trafficking outreach organization. She holds an Associates of Applied Science in Massage Therapy from Oakland Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University. Miss Lipovsky is reappointed to represent massage therapists for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2025.

Frances E. McCullough, of Bloomfield Hills, is the owner and operator of MuscleCare, Inc. She is a licensed massage therapist and studied massage therapy at Irene’s Myomassology Institute. Ms. McCullough is appointed to represent massage therapists for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2025. She succeeds Jodi Wiley whose term expires December 31, 2021.

The Michigan Board of Massage Therapy ascertains minimal entry level competency of health practitioners and verifies continuing education during licensure. The Public Health Code defines the practice of massage therapy as the application of a system of structured touch, pressure, movement, and holding to the soft tissue of the human body in which the primary intent is to enhance or restore the health and well-being of the client. Underlying all duties is the responsibility of the board to promote and protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare.

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

Michigan Board of Occupational Therapists

Don L. Frega, of Royal Oak, is a licensed occupational therapist and the manager of rehabilitation services for Henry Ford Health System. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Michigan and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Rush University. Mr. Frega is appointed to represent occupational therapists for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2025. He succeeds Lynn Kaiser whose term expires December 31, 2021.

Camron Moorehead, of Saline, is a licensed occupational therapist with Briarwood Pediatric Rehabilitation at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Grand Valley State University and Master of Occupational Therapy from Eastern Michigan University. Mr. Moorehead is appointed to represent occupational therapists for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2025. He succeeds Janet Santos whose term expires December 31, 2021.

Matthew S. Swan, of Eaton Rapids, is a licensed occupational therapist with Ingham County Medical Care Facility. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Wayne State University. Mr. Swan is reappointed to represent occupational therapists for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2025.

The Michigan Board of Occupation Therapists works with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to promulgate rules for licensing occupational therapists and ascertaining minimal entry level competency of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants.  The Public Health Code mandates certain responsibilities and duties for a health professional licensing board. Underlying all duties is the responsibility of the Board to promote and protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare.

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

Task Force on Forensic Science

Christopher R. Bommarito, of Williamston, is the president and chief forensic scientist of Forensic Science Consultants, Inc. Mr. Bommarito is reappointed to represent forensic science practitioners with at least five years of experience in the field for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2022.

Kent Gardner, of Davison, is the administrator of forensic lab services for the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department. Mr. Gardner is reappointed to represent a forensic science practitioner from a county forensic service provider for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2022.

Brandon N. Giroux, of Northville, is the president of Giroux Forensic, Inc. and Forensic Assurance, Inc. He is also a forensic firearm and tool mark instructor and consultant for the National Forensic Science Technology Center and a forensic science instructor at Wayne State University. Mr. Giroux is reappointed to represent forensic science practitioners with at least five years of experience in the field for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2022.

Jeffrey M. Jentzen, M.D., Ph.D., of Ann Arbor, is a clinical professor emeritus of pathology for the University of Michigan Department of Pathology. Dr. Jentzen is reappointed to represent a board-certified pathologist with experience in forensic pathology. He will serve for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2022.

Barbara O’Brien, Ph.D., of East Lansing, is a professor at the Michigan State University College of Law. Dr. O’Brien is reappointed to represent an individual from the private sector or from a university in this state who has published scholarship related to cognitive bias. She will serve for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2022.

Jonathan Sacks, of Ann Arbor, is the director of the State Appellate Defender Office. Mr. Sacks is reappointed to represent a public defender or criminal defense attorney for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2022.

Donald Shelton, Ph.D., of Saline, is the director of the criminology and criminal justice program at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and program director for their Justice Reform Project, Alternatives to Violent Force. Dr. Shelton is reappointed to represent individuals from the private sector or from a university in this state who have earned a doctoral degree in a distinct field relevant to forensic science and who have published scholarship related to the field in a peer-reviewed journal. He will serve for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2022.

Ruth Smith, Ph.D., of Okemos, is a professor of forensic chemistry and the director of the forensic science program at Michigan State University. Dr. Smith is reappointed to represent individuals from the private sector or from a university in this state who have earned a doctoral degree in a distinct field relevant to forensic science and who have published scholarship related to the field in a peer-reviewed journal. She will serve for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2022.

Matthew J. Wiese, of Marquette, is the prosecuting attorney for Marquette County. Mr. Wiese is reappointed to represent a prosecuting attorney for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2022.

The Task Force on Forensic Science was created by Governor Whitmer’s EO 2021-4. The Task Force’s mission is to review the state of forensic science in Michigan and recommend methodology improvements, processes to address misconduct, and procedures to update stakeholders on developments in forensic science. Executive Order No. 2021-15 will extend the Task Force’s work until December 31, 2022.

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

State 9-1-1 Committee

Steven L. Berenbaum, of Birmingham, is the area manager of regulatory relations for AT&T. He holds a Bachelor of Science, Master of Business Administration, and Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan. Mr. Berenbaum is reappointed to represent commercial mobile radio service for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2023.

Timothy I. McKee, Sr., of Rudyard, is the NG 911 program director for Peninsula Fiber Network, LLC. He holds an Associate of Applied Arts in Criminal Justice from Suomi College. Mr. McKee is appointed to represent members of the general public with expertise relating to telephone systems, rural health care concerns, or emergency radio communications, dispatching, and services, for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2023. He succeeds Scott Temple whose term expires December 31, 2021.

The State 9-1-1 Committee and it’s 21 member organizations work together to promote the successful development, implementation, and operation of 9-1-1 systems across the state of Michigan. In accordance with Public Act 244 of 2003, the Michigan State Police provides staff assistance to the committee as necessary to carry out the committee’s duties.

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

State Police Retirement Board

Julian Darden, of Lansing, is the managing director of DCI Financial Services. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Central Michigan University and Master of Business Administration from Northwood University. Mr. Darden is reappointed to represent a member of the general public with experience in the insurance, actuarial, or institutional investment field, for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2024.

Mitchell Stevens, of Gaylord, is a detective sergeant and methamphetamine regional coordinator for the Michigan State Police. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Management and Organizational Development from Spring Arbor University and a Master of Business Administration from Lawrence Technological University. Detective Sergeant Stevens is reappointed to represent an officer member of the retirement system having the rank of sergeant or below, for a term commencing January 1, 2022 and expiring December 31, 2024.

The Michigan State Police Retirement Board provides oversight of the Michigan State Police Retirement System.

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