January 25, 2007

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the following appointments to the Michigan Board of Mechanical Rules, the Great Lakes Protection Fund Board of Directors, the Aquatic Nuisance Species Council, the Michigan Cherry Marketing Program Committee, and the Michigan Board of Dentistry:

Michigan Board of Mechanical Rules

Patrick M. Maher of Traverse City, business agent for Sheet Metal Workers' Local 7.  Mr. Maher is appointed to represent HVAC equipment contractors for a term expiring October 1, 2010.  He succeeds Thomas P. Lisowski whose term has expired.

Gary J. Van Ochten of Essexville, ASP services manager for Consumers Energy.  Mr. Van Ochten is appointed to represent energy producing utilities for a term expiring October 1, 2009.  He succeeds Roger W. Lane whose term has expired.

Charles H. Wash of Roseville, business representative for Sheet Metal Workers' Local 80.  Mr. Wash is appointed to represent the general public for a term expiring October 1, 2009.  He succeeds Thomas Jaenicke whose term has expired.

Robert K. Jagenberg of Highland Park, chief fire protection designer for John E. Green.  Mr. Jagenberg is designated to serve as chairperson of the board for a term expiring at the pleasure of the governor.

The Michigan Board of Mechanical Rules makes recommendations to the State Construction Code Commission on the promulgation of rules necessary for the safe design, construction, installation, alteration, servicing, and inspection of heating, cooling, ventilating, and refrigerating equipment in the state.
 
These appointments are subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan State Constitution of 1963.  They stand confirmed unless disapproved by the Senate within 60 days.

Great Lakes Protection Fund Board of Directors

Kenneth DeBeaussaert of Clinton Township, director of the Office of the Great Lakes.  Mr. DeBeaussaert is reappointed to represent the general public for a term expiring October 11, 2008.

Maureen H. Smyth of East Lansing, vice president for programs at the C.S. Mott Foundation.  Ms. Smyth is reappointed to represent the general public for a term expiring October 11, 2008.

The Great Lakes Protection Fund Board of Directors oversees the Great Lakes Protection Fund and offers grants for projects that help institutions and agencies throughout the Great Lakes region work together to clean up their shared lake resources.
 
These reappointments are not subject to disapproval by the Michigan Senate.

Aquatic Nuisance Species Council

Melissa A. Sortman of Mason, local Uniserv director for the Michigan Education Association.  Ms. Sortman is reappointed to represent the general public for a term expiring December 16, 2008.

William W. Taylor of Okemos, chair of the Fisheries and Wildlife Department at Michigan State University and former co-chair of the Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force.  Mr. Taylor is reappointed to represent the general public for a term expiring December 16, 2008.

The Michigan Aquatic Nuisance Species Council advises the Office of the Great Lakes and the Departments of Environment Quality, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Transportation on the state's efforts to prevent and control aquatic nuisance species introduction and spread within Michigan.  The council also coordinates research and monitoring activities pertaining to aquatic nuisance species and makes revisions and updates to the Michigan's Aquatic Nuisance Species State Management Plan, as necessary. 
 
These appointments are not subject to disapproval by the Michigan Senate.

Michigan Cherry Marketing Program Committee

Kurt B. Dowd of Hartford, farm manager for Dowd Orchards, Inc.  Mr. Dowd is appointed to represent tart cherry growers in District 3 for a term expiring February 1, 2008.  He succeeds William R. Pugsley whose term has expired.

Marc C. Willmeng of Watervliet, farm manager for Willmeng Farms.  Mr. Willmeng is appointed to represent tart cherry growers in District 3 for a term expiring February 1, 2007, and is reappointed for a term expiring February 1, 2010.  He succeeds Patricia M. Molter whose term has expired.

John F. King of Central Lake, owner of King Orchards.  Mr. King is reappointed to represent tart cherry growers in District 1 for a term expiring February 1, 2009.

Jeffrey J. Send of Suttons Bay, owner of Cherry Lane Farms.  Mr. Send is reappointed to represent tart cherry growers in District 1 for a term expiring February 1, 2009.

These appointments and reappointments are subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan State Constitution of 1963.  They stand confirmed unless disapproved by the Senate within 60 days.

Michigan Board of Dentistry

Faiz M. Khan of Sterling Heights, design release engineer for General Motors.  Mr. Khan is appointed to represent the general public for a term expiring June 30, 2009.  He succeeds Evalyn L. McNamara whose term has expired.

The Michigan  Board of Dentistry is responsible for certification of dental specialists and the licensure and examination of persons prior to their entry into the practice of dentistry, dental hygiene, or dental assisting in Michigan.
 
This appointment is subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan State Constitution of 1963.  It stands confirmed unless disapproved by the Senate within 60 days.