Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 16, 2026

Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions

LANSING, Mich. - Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced appointments to the following boards and commissions: Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine; Michigan Board of Physical Therapy; Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission; Human Trafficking Health Advisory Board; Michigan Board of Nursing Home Administrators; Michigan Board of Acupuncture; Michigan Board of Marriage and Family Therapy; Michigan State Transportation Commission; State Council for Interstate Adult Offenders Supervision; MEDC Executive Committee; State Board of Professional Surveyors; Board of Professional Engineers; Elevator Safety Board; Michigan Board of Athletic Trainers; and Michigan Cherry Committee.

Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Marcy McKeithen, of Detroit, is a senior veterinarian at Detroit Animal Care and Control. Dr. McKeithen holds a Bachelor of Science in agriculture and animal science from Florida A&M University and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida. Dr. Marcy McKeithen will be reappointed as a veterinarian for a term commencing date January 1, 2027, and expiring December 31, 2030.

Dr. Megan Grant, of Lake Leelanau, is the director of veterinary quality at Banfield Pet Hospital. Grant holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Michigan State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern Indiana. Dr. Megan Grant will be reappointed as a veterinarian for a term commencing January 1, 2027, and expiring December 31, 2030.

Dr. Kevin Stachowiak, of Pigeon, is the chief executive officer of Caseville Small Animal Clinic. Stachowiak holds an associate of science in pre-veterinary medicine from Delta College and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Michigan State University. Dr. Kevin Stachowiak will be reappointed as a veterinarian for a term commencing date January 1, 2027, and expiring December 31, 2030.

Kelsey Maccombs, of DeWitt, is the founder of Constellation Cat Cafe. Maccombs holds a Bachelor of Arts in environmental policy from Alma College. Kelsey Maccombs is appointed as a member of the public for a term commencing April 16, 2026, and expiring December 31, 2030. Maccombs succeeds Evette Chavez, whose term has expired.

The Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine was originally formed with the enactment of Public Act 156 of 1956. The Public Health Code mandates certain responsibilities and duties for a health professional licensing board. Underlying all duties is the responsibility of the Board to promote and protect the public's health, safety, and welfare. This responsibility is implemented by the Board by ascertaining minimal entry level competency of health practitioners. The Board also has the obligation to take disciplinary action against licensees who have adversely affected the public's health, safety, and welfare. The Board works with the Department to oversee Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians.

These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Board of Physical Therapy

Amy Hahn, of Farmington Hills, is a physical therapist assistant at Henry Ford Health. Hahn holds an associate of applied science in physical therapist assistance from Henry Ford Community College and an associate of liberal arts from Oakland Community College. Amy Hahn will be appointed as a physical therapist assistant for a term commencing January 1, 2027, and expiring December 31, 2030. Hahn will succeed Sherry Saggers, whose term will expire.

Lissa Pietrykowski, of Clarkston, is the owner of Peak Physique Fitness and Peak Women. Pietrykowski was previously a personal trainer at SCFIT Virtual Personal Training. Pietrykowski holds a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences from the University of Michigan and a post-graduate certification in elementary education from Eastern Michigan University. Lissa Pietrykowski is appointed as a general public member for a term commencing April 16, 2026, and expiring December 31, 2027. Lissa succeeds La'Nik St Julien, who has resigned.

The Michigan Board of Physical Therapy was originally formed with the enactment of Public Act 164 of 1965. The Public Health Code mandates certain responsibilities and duties for a health professional licensing board. Underlying all duties is the responsibility of the board to promote and protect the public's health, safety, and welfare. This responsibility is implemented by the Board by ascertaining minimal entry level competency of health practitioners. The Board also has the obligation to take disciplinary action against licensees who have adversely affected the public's health, safety, and welfare.

These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission

Asiya El, of Detroit, is the associate director of student relationships at Driven by Growth Detroit and a certified official with USA Boxing. El holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration. Asiya El is appointed to represent boxing for a term commencing April 16, 2026, and expiring June 4, 2029. El succeeds Corey Taylor, whose term has expired.

The Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission is the successor to the Michigan Boxing Commission and is responsible for the regulation of professional boxing and mixed martial arts. The Commission and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs are vested with management, control, and jurisdiction over all professional boxing, professional or amateur mixed martial arts, or unarmed combat contests or events conducted in this state.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Human Trafficking Health Advisory Board

Safa Sankari, of Bloomfield Hills, is a master's limited psychologist at Great Lakes Psychology Group. Safa holds a Bachelor of Science in molecular biology from State University of New York College at Brockport and a Master of Science in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan - Dearborn. Safa Sankari is appointed to represent Mental Health Professionals for a term commencing April 16, 2026, and expiring December 31, 2029. Sankari succeeds Katherine Kogelmann, whose term has expired.

The Human Trafficking Health Advisory Board was established to collect and analyze information concerning medical and mental health services available to survivors of human trafficking, identify state, federal and local agencies that are involved with issues relating to human trafficking, and coordinate the dissemination of information concerning medical and mental health services available to survivors of human trafficking in this state. The Board may establish a program to improve public awareness of medical and mental health services available to survivors of human trafficking in this state.

This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Board of Nursing Home Administrators

LaTosha Agee-Gussman, of Southfield, is an administrator at Carson AFC. Agee-Gussman holds a Master of Healthcare Administration in healthcare management from the University of Phoenix. LaTosha Agee-Gussman will be reappointed to represent the general public for a term commencing July 1, 2026, and expiring June 30, 2030.

The Michigan Board of Nursing Home Administrators was created to license nursing home administrators who plan, organize, direct, and control the total operation of nursing homes on behalf of the governing board or owner of a nursing home. The Board promotes and protects the public's health, safety, and welfare by ascertaining minimal entry-level competency of nursing home administrators.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Board of Acupuncture

Hailey Zureich, of Ferndale, is the owner of Zhailey Coaching, LLC. Zureich was previously a director of people and development at Caine to Five. Zureich holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Oakland University. Hailey Zureich will be appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing July 1, 2026, and expiring June 30, 2030. Zureich will succeed Elizabeth Lukasik, whose term will expire.

Dr. Megha Mohey, of Bloomfield Hills, is the founder of Megha Mohey MD PC. Dr. Mohey holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Michigan and a Doctor of Medicine from Michigan State University. Dr. Megha Mohey will be appointed to represent physicians licensed under part 170 or 175 of the Public Health Code for a term commencing April 16, 2026, and expiring June 30, 2029. Dr. Mohey succeeds Dr. Zhiling Trowbridge, whose term has expired.

The Michigan Board of Acupuncture works with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to oversee the practice of approximately 89 acupuncturists. The Board has the obligation to take disciplinary action against registrants who have adversely affected the public's health, safety, and welfare.

These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Board of Marriage and Family Therapy

Angela Miller, of Livingston, is a senior pastor at Chilson Hills Church in Howell. Miller holds an urban ministry diploma from the Ecumenical Theological Seminary of Detroit. Angela Miller is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing April 16, 2026, and expiring June 30, 2029. Miller succeeds Bernard Lawler, whose term has expired.

The Michigan Board of Marriage and Family Therapy was created to license and regulate the practice of marriage and family therapy in Michigan, which is the provision of guidance, testing, discussions, therapy, instruction, or advice that is intended to avoid, eliminate, relieve, manage, or resolve marital or family conflict or discord, to create, improve, or restore marital or family harmony, or to prepare couples for marriage. Underlying all duties is the responsibility of the Board to promote and protect the public's health, safety, and welfare.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan State Transportation Commission

Joel Archibald, of Kimball, is a business manager with the Laborers' International Union of North America Local 1075, where he represents nearly 1,000 members working throughout Genesee, Lapeer, Sanilac, Shiawassee, and St. Clair counties. Archibald has been a member of LiUNA for over thirty years and began his career as a as a construction craft laborer. Joel Archibald will be appointed to represent Democrats for a term commencing December 22, 2026, and expiring December 21, 2029. Archibald will succeed Richard Turner, whose term will expire.

The Commission establishes policy for the Michigan Department of Transportation in relation to transportation programs and facilities and other such works as related to transportation development, as provided by law. Responsibilities of the Commission include the development and implementation of comprehensive transportation plans for the entire state, including aeronautics, bus and rail transit, providing professional and technical assistance, and overseeing the administration of state and federal funds allocated for these programs.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

State Council for Interstate Adult Offenders Supervision

Alana Horkey, of Dundee, is a victim rights coordinator at the Monroe County Prosecutor's Office. Horkey holds an associate degree in commerce from Monroe County Community College. Alana Horkey is appointed as a member representing crime victims for a term commencing April 16, 2026, and expiring October 31, 2026. Horkey succeeds Mia Edgerson, whose term has expired.

The State Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision was established in 1937 with the purpose of regulating the movement of probationers and parolees across state lines. ICAOS has evolved into a powerful and adaptive tool for ensuring cooperation among the states. Its purpose is to establish and enforce regulations, provide training, facilitate the collection and sharing of data, and perform other essential tasks to ensure that supervised individuals maintaining continuity when relocating to another state.

This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

MEDC Executive Committee

Christina Grossi, of Okemos, is a partner at Honigman, LLP. Previously, Grossi served as chief legal counsel to Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Grossi also held roles of increasing responsibility over a decade of service in the Michigan Attorney General's office, including as chief deputy attorney general. Grossi holds a Bachelor of Arts in political economy from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctor from the Thomas Cooley Law School. Christina Grossi was reappointed as a member from the private sector for a term commencing April 6, 2026, and expiring April 5, 2030.

Michael McLauchlan, of Grosse Pointe Woods, is vice president of government relations for Ilitch Holdings. McLauchlan holds a Bachelor of Arts in public policy from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctor from Detroit College of Law. McLauchlan serves on the board of directors of the Downtown Detroit Partnership, as a member of the Detroit Economic Growth Association, and as a member of the Board of Visitors of the Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business. Michael McLauchlan was reappointed as a member from the private sector for a term commencing April 6, 2026, and expiring April 5, 2030.

Dr. Robert McMahan, of Flint, became the seventh President of Kettering University in 2011. McMahan holds a Bachelor of Science in physics and the history of art from Duke University and a Doctor of Philosophy in physics from Dartmouth University. Dr. McMahan serves as immediate past chair of the Association of Independent Technological Universities. Dr. Robert McMahan was reappointed as a member from the private sector for a term commencing April 6, 2026, and expiring April 5, 2030.

La June Tabron is the President and CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Tabron holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from the University of Michigan and a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University. Tabron serves on the boards of directors for TIAA, the Upjohn Institute, and the Detroit Regional Partnership. Tabron also previously served on the boards of directors of Bronson Healthcare Group and Kellanova. La June Tabron was reappointed as a member from the private sector for a term commencing April 6, 2026, and expiring April 5, 2030.

The MEDC Executive Committee provides policy direction and guidance to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation regarding economic development program and initiatives, approves the MEDC corporate budget, and appoints the chief executive officer who administers all programs, funds, personnel, and all other administrative transactions of the MEDC. The MEDC Executive Committee assists the MEDC through governance, support to enable results-based action, and advocacy for the organization and economic development in Michigan.

These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

State Board of Professional Surveyors

Cory Smith, of Grand Rapids, is a senior project manager at Wade Trim. Smith holds a Bachelor of Science in survey engineering from Ferris State University and a Master of Science in civil engineering from Purdue University. Cory Smith is appointed as a professional surveyor for a term commencing April 16, 2026, and expiring March 31, 2030. Smith succeeds Timothy Platz, whose term has expired.

The Michigan Board of Professional Surveyors was created to license and regulate the practice of professional surveying in Michigan. The Board works with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to oversee the practice of licensed professional surveyors.

These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Board of Professional Engineers

Cory Smith, of Grand Rapids, is also appointed to the Board of Professional Engineers as a professional surveyor for a term commencing April 16, 2026, and expiring March 31, 2030. Smith succeeds Timothy Platz, whose term has expired.

The Michigan Board of Professional Engineers was created to license and regulate the practice of professional engineering in Michigan. The Board works with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to oversee the practice of licensed professional engineers.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Elevator Safety Board

Ricardo Knott, of Warren, is the chief elevator inspector for the City of Detroit. Knott attended Mumford High School. Ricardo Knott is appointed as a code inspector of a city, village, or township having elevator inspection regulations per MCL 408.805 for a term commencing April 16, 2026, and expiring July 22, 2028.

The Elevator Safety Board promulgates rules and prepares examinations in relation to contractor licenses. The Board also conducts hearings to determine whether an elevator contractor license or certificate of competency or commission should be suspended or revoked.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Board of Athletic Trainers

Kate Dornbos, of Midland, is the assistant athletic director at Northwood University. Dornbos holds a Bachelor of Arts in athletic training from Hope College and a Master of Arts in athletic administration from Western Michigan University. Kate Dornbos will be reappointed as an athletic trainer for a term commencing July 1, 2026, and expiring June 30, 2030.

The Michigan Board of Athletic Trainers works with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to oversee the practice of approximately 1,028 athletic trainers. The practice of athletic training, as defined in the Public Health Code, means the treatment of an individual for risk management and injury prevention, the clinical evaluation and assessment of an individual for an injury or illness, the immediate care and treatment of an individual for an injury or illness, and the rehabilitation and reconditioning of an individual's injury or illness.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Cherry Committee

Noah Fox, of Hart, is a farm manager at N. J. Fox and Sons. Fox holds a Bachelor of Science in agribusiness management from Michigan State University. Noah Fox is appointed to represent district 2 tart cherry growers for a term commencing April 16, 2026, and expiring February 1, 2029. Fox succeeds Andrew Riley, whose term has expired.

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.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

###