LANSING, Mich.* Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced the following appointments to the Michigan Cherry Committee,Michigan Corn Marketing Committee,Michigan Tree Fruit Commission,Michigan Craft Beverage Council,Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect,**and the Advisory Board for the Michigan Intelligence Operations Center for Homeland Security.
*Michigan Cherry Committee*
Paul D. Hubbell,of Williamsburg,is the owner of Orchard View Farms and president of the Grand Traverse Fruit Growers Council. Mr. Hubbell is appointed to represent District 1 sweet cherry growers for a term commencing March 2, 2020 and expiring February 1, 2023.He succeeds Isaiah Wunsch whose term expired February 1, 2020.
Andrew J. Riley,of Mears, is the manager of Riley Orchards,Inc. and president of West Central Michigan Horticultural Research,Inc. Mr. Riley is reappointed to represent District 2 tart cherry growers for a term commencing March 2, 2020 and expiring February 1, 2023.
David C. Smeltzer, of Bear Lake,is the owner of West Wind Orchards, LLC. and the current chairman of the Michigan Cherry Committee. Mr. Smeltzer is reappointed to represent District 1 tart cherry growers for a term commencing March 2, 2020 and expiring February 1, 2023.
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 Corn Marketing Committee*
Matthew M. Holysz,of Vicksburg,is the owner of his family’s corn and soybean farm. Mr. Holysz is reappointed to represent District 2 growers for a term commencing March 6, 2020 and expiring March 5, 2023.
David M. Rupprecht, of Vassar,is the vice president of A.Zwerk & Sons Inc.Mr. Rupprecht is appointed to represent District 7 growers for a term commencing March 6, 2020 and expiring March 5, 2023.He succeeds Tom Durand whose term expires March 5, 2020.
Ned L. Wyse, ofCamden,is the owner of his family’s corn and soybean farm. Mr. Wyse is reappointed to represent District 3 growers for a term commencing March 6, 2020 and expiring March 5, 2023.
The Michigan Corn Marketing Program Committee enhances the economic position of Michigan corn growers by providing for the growth and expansion of the corn industry in Michigan through foreign and domestic market development, promotion, and research that will stimulate the demand for corn.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
*Michigan Tree Fruit Commission*
Fred L. Koenigshof,of Coloma,is the owner of K & K Farms where he grows apples, peaches, blackberries, and raspberries. Mr. Koenigshof is reappointed to represent District 3 growers for a term commencing March 2, 2020 and expiring March 1, 2023.
Trever G.Meachum, of Hartford,is the production manager and partner for High Acres Fruit Farm where they grow apples, strawberries, plums, and grapes. Mr.Meachum is appointed to represent District 3 growers for a term commencing March 2, 2020 and expiring March 1, 2021.He succeeds William Teichmanwho has resigned.
Mark A.Miezio,of Suttons Bay,is the president of Cherry Bay Orchards where they grow cherries, apples, pears, and grapes. Mr.Miezioisappointed to represent District 1 growers for a term commencingMarch 2, 2020 and expiring March 1, 2022.He succeedsTravisBratschiwho has resigned.
Charles A. Rasch,of Conklin,is the owner of Windy Ridge Orchard, LLC. where he grows apples and peaches.Mr. Rasch isappointed to represent District 2 growers for a term commencingMarch 2, 2020 and expiring March 1, 2021.He succeedsChristopherKropfwho has resigned.
SteveThome,of Comstock Park,is a member of his familys apple farm,ThomeOrchards, LLC. Mr.Thomeisreappointed to represent District 2 growers for a term commencing March 2, 2020 and expiring March 1, 2023.
BruceVeliquette,ofKewadin,is the owner and manager of his familys cherry farm, CherryKe, Inc. Mr.Veliquetteisappointed to represent District 1 growers for a term commencing March 2, 2020 and expiring March 1, 2023.He succeedsRick Slayer whose term expires March 1, 2020.
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.
*Michigan Craft Beverage Council*
Larry J. Bell,of Kalamazoo,is the founder and president of BellsBrewery.Mr. Bell isappointed to represent large brewers for a term commencingMarch 2, 2020 and expiring September 30, 2020.He succeedsBradley Stevenson who has resigned.
The Michigan Craft Beverage Council was created to replace the Grape and Wine Industry Council. The Council will award grants for research into winemaking, hops, barley, beer and spirits; conduct market surveys and analysis; and offer other programs that encourage the agricultural elements related to Michigans craft beverage industries. The Councils activities are funded exclusively by non-retail, non-wholesale liquor license fees.
This appointment isnot subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
*Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect*
Paula A. Aylward,of Marshall,is the president and owner of Allegiant Legal, PC. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk University Law School. Ms. Aylward isappointed to represent child advocates, including both attorneys for children and, where such programs are in operation, court appointed special advocates, for a term commencingMarch 2, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2021.She succeedsFrederick Gruber.
MarianDwaihyBriske,of Harper Woods,is an assistant prosecuting attorney for the Macomb County Prosecutors Office. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit Law School. Ms.Briskeisappointed to represent judges and attorneys involved in both civil and criminal court proceedings related to child abuse and neglect, for a term commencingMarch 2, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2020.She succeedsChristopher Wirth.
Joseph E. Merritt, Jr.,of Mason,is a public safety officer and detective with theBlackman-Leoni Department of Public Safety.He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Olivet College and attended the Mid-Michigan Police Academy at Lansing Community College. Mr. Merritt is appointedtofill a new seat on the Task Forcerepresentingthe law enforcement community for a term commencingMarch 2, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2022.
Bethany A. Mohr, M.D.,of Pinckney,is a pediatric hospitalist, director of the Child Protection Team, and a clinical associate professor for the University of Michigan Health System. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from New York Medical College. Dr. Mohr isappointed to represent health professionals for a term commencingMarch 2, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2021.She succeedsRachelRanciliowho has resigned.
Yasmine I. Poles, of Birmingham, is an attorney with her private law firm, Yasmine I. Poles, PLLC. and a former assistant prosecutor in the Child Protection Unit of the Macomb County Prosecutors Office. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from the Wayne State University Law School. Ms. Poles is appointed to represent judges and attorneys involved in both civil and criminal court proceedings related to child abuse and neglect, for a term commencing March 2, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2020. She succeeds JulieNakfoor-Pratt.
The Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect was established within the Department of Health and Human Services and designed as a multidisciplinary task force for the purposes of the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. The Task Force consists of members who are professionals with knowledge and experience relating to the criminal justice system and issues of child physical abuse, child neglect, child sexual abuse and exploitation, and child maltreatment related fatalities.
These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
*Advisory Board for the Michigan Intelligence Operations Center for Homeland Security*
Richard A. Fenton,of Ann Arbor,is the vice president of corporate security and the chief security officer for Ilitch Holdings and chairman of theNational Center for Spectator Sport Safety & Security (NCS4) National Advisory Board. Mr. Fenton isreappointed to represent residents of this state who are not connected to law enforcement or employed by local, state or federal governments for a term commencing April 12, 2020 and expiring April 11, 2024.
William T. Riley,III,of Dearborn Heights,is the chief of police for the City of Inkster Police Departmentand a veteran of the United States Navy and Naval Reserve.Chief Riley isreappointed to represent local police departments in this state or the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police for a term commencing April 12, 2020 and expiring April 11, 2024.
The State of Michigan’s Intelligence Operations Center shall collect, evaluate, collate, and analyze information and intelligence and then, as appropriate, disseminate this information and intelligence to the proper public safety agencies so that any threat of terrorism or criminal activity will be successfully identified and addressed.
These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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