Michigan – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced appointments to several state boards and commissions, including groups focused on indigent defense, education, gaming regulation, child protection, homelessness, public health, workforce development, and economic growth.
The appointments include members serving on the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission, Early Childhood Investment Corporation Executive Committee, Michigan Gaming Control Board, Governor’s Educator Advisory Council, Michigan Strategic Fund Board of Directors, State Historic Preservation Review Board, Michigan Board of Pharmacy, Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect, Michigan Opioids Task Force, and several other state bodies.
Among the appointments are two judges selected for the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission.
Hon. James Maceroni of Saint Clair Shores, a judge on the 16th Circuit Court, was appointed as a member submitted by the Michigan Judges Association. Maceroni also serves on the State Bar of Michigan Prisons and Corrections Committee and the Criminal Law Committee of the Michigan Judges Association.
Hon. Stacia Buchanan of Lansing, chief judge of the 54-A District Court, was appointed as a member submitted by the Michigan District Judges Association. Buchanan also serves on several judicial and community advisory groups.
The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission works to develop and oversee standards designed to ensure eligible defendants receive effective legal representation as required under state and federal law.
Whitmer also announced appointments to the Early Childhood Investment Corporation Executive Committee, including the reappointments of Irene Watts of Franklin and Chioke Borgelt-Mose of Detroit.
The corporation serves as Michigan’s central organization for early childhood education investment and supports efforts aimed at helping children enter kindergarten healthy and prepared to learn.
The governor appointed Jim Townsend of Royal Oak to the Michigan Gaming Control Board, where he will also serve as chair. Townsend is director of the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy at Wayne State University and previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board oversees gaming operations in the state, including commercial casinos, online gaming, sports betting, charitable gaming, and compliance with tribal gaming agreements.
Whitmer also appointed Erik Meerschaert of Lake Orion as the Michigan Teacher of the Year representative on the Governor’s Educator Advisory Council. Meerschaert is a special education teacher at Lake Orion High School and has been involved in several student and education programs.
The council advises the governor on issues affecting Michigan’s public education system and recommends improvements and best practices.
The governor named Jeffrey Dokho of Huntington Woods to the Michigan Strategic Fund Board of Directors. Dokho serves as director of special projects for the United Auto Workers and will represent individuals with private-sector experience in areas including investment, lending, and technology commercialization.
Other appointments included members of historic preservation and records boards, including Dr. Lane Demas and Dr. Mary Ann Heidemann to the State Historic Preservation Review Board and Annika Peterson to the State Historical Records Advisory Board.
Whitmer also appointed Roy Smotherman II of Ortonville to the Michigan Board of Pharmacy and Richard Day of Allegan to the Elevator Safety Board.
The governor made additional appointments involving child protection and public health efforts, including Timothy Pinto and Ursula Ahart to the Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect, Elizabeth Rios-Jones to the Michigan Interagency Council on Homelessness, Luke Lindsey to the Farm Produce Insurance Authority, Ebony Hemphill to the Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice, and Greg Toutant to the Michigan Opioids Task Force.
Several of the appointments require confirmation by the Michigan Senate, while others are not subject to Senate approval.
Whitmer’s office said the appointments are intended to bring experienced leaders and professionals to state boards and commissions responsible for advising agencies, developing policy recommendations, and overseeing programs serving communities across Michigan.
