August 3, 2006

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today made the following recent appointments and reappointments to the Michigan Civil Rights Commission and the Michigan Rehabilitation Advisory Council:

Michigan Civil Rights Commission

J. Michael Zelley of Grand Blanc, president of The Disability Network.  Mr. Zelley is appointed to represent Independents for a term expiring December 31, 2009.  He succeeds Albert Calille whose term has expired.

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission investigates alleged discrimination against any person because of religion, race, color, national origin, sex, age, marital status, height, weight, arrest record, or physical or mental disabilities.  The bipartisan commission also works to secure the equal protection of such civil rights without discrimination.
 
This appointment is subject to Section 6 of Article V of the Michigan State Constitution of 1963.  It stands confirmed unless disapproved by the Michigan Senate within 60 days.

Michigan Rehabilitation Advisory Council

Norma T. Bauer of Lansing, employment specialist with Peckham Incorporated.  Ms. Bauer is appointed to represent the Statewide Independent Living Council for a term expiring September 14, 2007.  She succeeds Melissa Strope-Davert whose term has expired. 

Keith L. Bennett of Plymouth, program director for Goodwill Industries Detroit.  Mr. Bennett is appointed to represent parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of individuals with disabilities who have difficulty in representing themselves or are unable due to their disabilities to represent themselves for a term expiring September 14, 2007. He succeeds Larry Patton whose term has expired. 

Eleanor L. Chang of Ann Arbor, volunteer for the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living.  Ms. Chang is appointed to represent disability advocacy groups that represent individuals with physical, cognitive, sensory and mental disabilities for a term expiring September 14, 2008.  She succeeds Edward Wollmann whose term has expired. 

Adolph W. Cwik of East Jordan, CEO and president of Occupational Planning and Placement, Inc.  Mr. Cwik is appointed to represent vocational rehabilitation counselors with knowledge of and experience with vocational rehabilitation programs for a term expiring September 14, 2006 and reappointed for a term expiring September 14, 2009. He succeeds Beth Doherty whose term has expired, and who is being appointed to the council in a different capacity. 

Eddie Mae Dixon of Clinton Township, social work student at Marygrove College.  Ms. Dixon is appointed to represent current or former applicants for, or recipients of, vocational rehabilitation services for a term expiring September 14, 2008.  She succeeds Monica Del Castillo whose term has expired. 

Beth Childress of Grand Haven, director of services with KANDU, Inc. in Holland.  Ms. Childress is appointed to represent community rehabilitation program service providers for a term expiring September 14, 2007.  She succeeds Nancy Hebert whose term has expired. 

Fanchon P. Halacka of Bloomfield Hills, civic volunteer and parent of three hearing impaired children. Ms. Halacka is appointed to represent parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of individuals with disabilities who have difficulty in representing themselves or are unable due to their disabilities to represent themselves for a term expiring September 14, 2007.  She succeeds Paul Cartman whose term has expired. 

Debra E. Hilvers of Belleville, co-project manager of the Citizens Alliance to Uphold Special Education (CAUSE).  Ms. Hilvers is appointed to represent parent training and information centers for a term expiring September 14, 2006 and reappointed for a term expiring September 14, 2009.  She succeeds Susan Pratt who has resigned. 

Marwan M. Kayyali of Byron Center, owner and president of SAK Supply, Inc.  Mr. Kayyali is appointed to represent business, industry, and labor for a term expiring September 14, 2006 and reappointed for a term expiring September 14, 2009. He succeeds Jacqueline Thomas whose term has expired, and who is being appointed to the council in a different capacity.

Nancy A. Melke of Westland. Ms. Melke is appointed to represent current or former applicants for, or recipients of, vocational rehabilitation services for a term expiring September 14, 2008.  She succeeds Luke Zelley whose term has expired.   

Sharon A. Rivera of Canton, international representative for the UAW International. Ms. Riviera is appointed to represent business, industry, and labor, and the State Workforce Investment Board for a term expiring September 14, 2008.  She succeeds Kenneth Miller whose term has expired. 
 
Michael E. Tanner of Flint, director of workforce development outreach with the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce.  Mr. Tanner is appointed to represent business, industry, and labor for a term expiring September 14, 2006 and reappointed for a term expiring September 14, 2009. He succeeds Richard Osentoski whose term has expired. 

Jacqueline R. Thomas of Kentwood, vice president of workforce with Greater Grand Rapids Goodwill Industries.  Ms. Thomas is appointed to represent disability advocacy groups that represent individuals with physical, cognitive, sensory and mental disabilities for a term expiring September 14, 2008.  She succeeds Marilyn Wayland whose term has expired.

Deborah L. Warfield of Kalamazoo, owner of Worldwide Family Media Productions. Ms. Warfield is appointed to represent business, industry, and labor, and current or former applicants for, or recipients of, vocational rehabilitation services for a term expiring September 14, 2007.  She succeeds Colin Sullivan whose term has expired. 

Richard J. Weir of Ann Arbor, program manager of the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living.  Mr. Weir is representing parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of individuals with disabilities who have difficulty in representing themselves or are unable due to their disabilities to represent themselves for a term expiring September 14, 2006 and reappointed for a term expiring September 14, 2009.  He succeeds Gary Harris whose term has expired.

Cecily D. Cagle of Kalamazoo, civic volunteer and parent of disabled children.  Ms. Cagle is reappointed to represent parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of individuals with disabilities who have difficulty in representing themselves or are unable due to their disabilities to represent themselves for a term expiring September 14, 2006.

Manuela K. Kress, Ph.D. of Lansing, director of employment advocacy with Michigan Protection and Advocacy Services, Inc.  Dr. Kress is reappointed to represent the client assistance program established under Title I of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 for a term expiring September 14, 2009.

The Michigan Rehabilitation Advisory Council reviews, analyzes, and advises Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) regarding all rehabilitation programs and policies administered in Michigan under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

These appointments and reappointments are not subject to disapproval by the Michigan Senate