Snyder Names New Members to Talent Investment Board

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LANSING – Gov. Rick Snyder announced the first appointments to the new Talent Investment Board charged with bringing together employers, organized labor, and community-based organizations, including apprenticeship programs, to make recommendations on how to best develop workforce talent across the state.

“This talented group will be essential in our efforts to lead in the nation in talent development and I’m confident that their experiences will make them an asset on this board,” Snyder said.

Two year terms to expire April 15, 2017:

Helen Dietrich, of Conklin, will represent the private sector. Dietrich is the owner of Ridgeview Orchards. Dietrich attended Michigan State University and Aquinas College.

Jodi Gibson, of Kalamazoo, will represent the private sector. Gibson is vice president of corporate responsibility for Kellogg Co. and previously served as divisional vice president of jcpcares at JCPenny. She holds a bachelor’s from Ripon College.

Al Haidous, of Wayne, will represent elected officials. Haidous is a Wayne County Commissioner and served as Mayor of the city of Wayne from 2001-2014. He has served on Wayne’s City Council and Board of Zoning Appeals.

Marcus James, of Jackson, will represent the private sector. James retired from The Dow Chemical Co. as the global engineering manager after more than 30 years of service. James holds a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Southern University.

Donald O’Connell, of Beverly Hills, will represent organized labor. O’Connell is the executive director of Operating Engineers Local 324 Labor Management. He holds a bachelor’s in mathematics from the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Douglas Parkes, of Manistee, will represent the private sector. Parkes is a real estate appraiser at Manistee Appraisal Service Inc. and previously served as vice president and commercial lender at Honor Bank. Parkes holds a real estate license, an appraisal license, and a bachelor’s from Alma College.

Tauzzari Robinson, of Grand Blanc, will represent youth providers. Robinson is the director of programs and operations for The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Flint. Robinson holds a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Toledo and an MPA in non-profit administration from the University of Michigan – Flint.

Brad Rusthoven, of DeWitt, will represent the private sector. Rusthoven is the human resources manager at Franchino Mold & Engineering. Rusthoven holds an associates degree from Lansing Community College and a Bachelor of Science from Drake University.

Three year terms to expire April 15, 2018:

Dennis Argyle, of Saginaw, will represent the private sector. Argyle is vice president and chief financial officer of Knight Facilities Management Inc. Argyle holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and management information systems from Central Michigan University. Argyle will serve as vice chair of the board.

Thomas Begin, of Fenton will represent the private sector.  Begin is the public affairs east regional manager at Northeast Team. Begin holds a bachelor’s in biochemistry from Saginaw Valley State University, a Bachelor of Business Administration from Northwood University, and an MBA from the University of Michigan-Flint.

Darcy Kerr, of Sunfield, will represent the private sector. Kerr is the senior vice president of human resources at Accident Fund Holdings Inc. Kerr holds a bachelor’s from Grand Valley State University and a master’s in labor relations and human resources from Michigan State University.

Bill Peterson, of Harrison Township, will represent organized labor. Peterson is the assistant to secretary treasurer for the UAW. He is a member of the State and local Workforce Investment Act Boards.

Tony Retaskie, of Marquette, will represent organized labor. Retaskie is the executive director of the Upper Peninsula Construction Council. He serves as co-chair of the Michigan Works! The Job Force Board’s Career Connection Group.

Gregory Winter, of Alpena, will represent the private sector. Winter is president of Omni Metalcraft Corp. which he founded in 1976. He is past president of Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce and Target Alpena Economic Development Corp.

Elaine Wood, of Traverse City, will represent Michigan’s workforce. Wood is chief executive officer of Networks Northwest. She holds a bachelor’s from Albion College and a master’s in organizational development from Spring Arbor University.

Four year terms to expire April 15, 2018:

Mark Alyea, of Jackson, will represent the private sector. Alyea was recently named president emeritus of Alro Steel Corp. after serving as president and COO of Alro Steel Corp. He holds an associates degree from Oakland Community College. Alyea will serve as chair of the board.

Paul Arsenault, of Ishpeming, will represent the private sector. Arsenault is president of Concepts Consulting and is a licensed residential builder. He serves as a member of K.I. Sawyer Economic Development Committee, Six-County Employment Alliance, and Michigan Works! Job Force Board.

Kenyatta Brame, of Grand Rapids, will represent the private sector. Brame is executive vice president of Cascade Engineering and previously served as an adjunct professor for the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Brame holds a bachelor’s from Wabash College, an MBA from Michigan State University, and a juris doctor from the University of Michigan.

Tony Day, of Athens, will represent the private sector. Day is the Tribal Council Sergeant of Arms for the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi and previously served as the director of facilities for the organization.

Suzanne Howell will represent core programs. Howell is the director of Michigan Rehabilitation Serves and has been with MRS for nearly 30 years. She holds a bachelor’s in elementary education from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in vocational rehabilitation from Michigan State University.

John Moll, of North Branch, will represent the private sector. Moll is chief executive officer of Gemini Group Inc. Moll holds a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Drexel University and an MBA from Oakland University.

Christine Quinn will represent core programs. Quinn is the director of the Michigan Workforce Development Agency and previously served as president of South Central Michigan Works! Quinn holds a bachelor’s degree in recreation leadership and management from Ferris State University.

Conan Smith, of Ann Arbor, will represent elected officials. Smith is the executive director of the Michigan Suburbs Alliance as well as a Washtenaw County Commissioner.  Smith holds a bachelor’s from the University of Michigan and master’s from Wayne State University.

Zane Walker, of North Branch, will represent organized labor. Walker is president of the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council. Walker served in the U.S. Army as well in Operation Desert Storm and attended Lansing Community College.