Article courtesy MIRS News for SBAM’s Lansing Watchdog e-newsletter
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed several Michigan insiders, former politicians, and business leaders to the council that would advise her on how to grow Michigan’s population and set the population goal for 2050.
The Growing Michigan Together Council was formed during the Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference with former U.S. Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates John Rakolta and Wayne State University Board of Governor’s Vice Chair Shirley Stancato co-chairing the panel.
The tenures for all of the members started June 30 and end when the governor deems it necessary.
Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Sandy Baruah, of Grosse Pointe Park, was the U.S. Small Business Administration administrator and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce under former President George W. Bush. He was appointed to represent the interests of private sector, labor, workforce development and talent, infrastructure, nonprofit or philanthropy and education.
Former Lt. Gov. and Republican state Rep. Brian Calley, of Portland, would serve on the board to represent the interests of the private sector, labor, workforce development and talent, infrastructure, non-profit or philanthropy and “education.” Calley is currently the president & CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan.
The president of the University of Michigan Santa Ono, of Ann Arbor, was appointed to represent the interests of the private sector, labor, workforce development and talent, infrastructure, nonprofit or philanthropy and education.
Patrick “Shorty” Gleason, of Davison, retired as the president and business agent for the Michigan Iron Workers Local 25 and currently serves as chair of the Mackinaw Bridge Authority. He was appointed to represent the interests of the private sector, labor, workforce development and talent, infrastructure, nonprofit or philanthropy and education.
Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association Executive Vice President Robert Coppersmith, of Laingsburg, was appointed to represent the interests of the private sector, labor, workforce development and talent, infrastructure, nonprofit or philanthropy and education.
Former Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Jeffery Donofrio, of Detroit, was appointed to represent the interests of private sector, labor, workforce development and talent, infrastructure, nonprofit or philanthropy and education.
Northwoods Group CEO and Chair Bill Parfet, of Hickory Corners, former chair of the Upjohn Company and Stryker, and director for Monsanto, Consumers Energy, Bissel, Inc., and the Toubman Company, was appointed to represent the interests of private sector, labor, workforce development and talent, infrastructure, nonprofit or philanthropy and education.
Detroit Public Schools Community District Superintendent Nickolai Vitti, of Detroit, was appointed to represent the interests of private sector, labor, workforce development and talent, infrastructure, nonprofit or philanthropy and education.
Service Employees International Union Michigan Executive Director Jennifer Root, of Howell, was appointed to represent the interests of private sector, labor, workforce development and talent, infrastructure, nonprofit or philanthropy and education.
ITC Holdings Corp. CEO and President LindaApsey, of Brighton, was appointed to represent the interests of private sector, labor, workforce development and talent, infrastructure, nonprofit or philanthropy and education.
Michigan Hispanic Fund President and DTE Energy Senior Vice President JoANN Chávez, of Ann Arbor, was appointed to represent the interests of private sector, labor, workforce development and talent, infrastructure, nonprofit or philanthropy and education.
Detroit Future City CEO Anika Goss-Foster, of Detroit, was appointed to represent the interests of private sector, labor, workforce development and talent, infrastructure, nonprofit or philanthropy and education.
ACCESS President and CEO Maha Freij, of South Lyon, was appointed to represent the interests of private sector, labor, workforce development and talent, infrastructure, nonprofit or philanthropy and education.
New Community Transformation Fund Managing Director Ollie Howie, of White Cloud, was appointed to represent the interests of private sector, labor, workforce development and talent, infrastructure, nonprofit or philanthropy and education.
Whitmer previously said there would be a 25-year-old individual on the council, but the youngest is 27-year-old Howie.
“We will have another round of appointments for all outstanding positions,” reads a statement from the governor’s office.
There will be six more appointments, including four members of the legislature. Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton) suggested that Sen. Jonathan Lindsey (R-Brooklyn) should serve on the council.
There would also be two appointments made for people with expertise in demography and economics.
The appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.