Updates About Executive Office Announcements

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has appointed Patti Tremblay to the Ingham Circuit Court, filling the vacancy left by former Judge Joyce Draganchuk’s resignation. Tremblay is currently serving as the governor’s director of legislative affairs, but has previously held the role of chief legal counsel to House Democrats and other positions within the governor’s office. She will serve until January 1, 2027, and must run for election in 2026 to retain the seat.

Filling Tremblay’s vacancy will be Kara Cook, who previously served as the state’s chief climate and energy strategist. Other staffing changes to the Executive Office (EOG) include Zoe Ahlstrom’s promotion to policy director (previously the EOG’s deputy policy director), and Emma Young’s promotion to education policy advisor (previously a policy analyst for the EOG).

Governor Whitmer has announced appointments to several Michigan boards and commissions. Among the list of changes are the following new and returning appointees:

• Health Information Technology Commission: Janée Tyus (succeeds Renee Smiddy)
• Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services: Laurie Penfold (succeeds Karen Schulz)
• Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect: Claudnyse Holloman (reappointed)
• Michigan Board Optometry: Dr. Paul Hodge (succeeds Lisa Webb Sharpe)
• Board of Interpreters for the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing: Miriam Andare Cuevas (reappointed), Myles Hudkins (succeeds Leslie Pertz)
• Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council: Iris Mehler (reappointed), Alexandra Hayes (succeeds Angel Irvin), Colleen Sullivan (succeeds Elizabeth Kohler), Jason Reaves (reappointed), Ray Schuholz (reappointed), Sheryl Stumbaugh (reappointed), and Nicholas Gable (succeeds Mark McWilliams)

For a complete list of the governor’s board and commission additions, click HERE.

Earlier 2025 appointments can also be viewed in GOVERNOR WHITMER’S LATEST APPOINTMENTS.

The Governor has announced new appointments and reappointments to several state boards and commissions. Below is a summary of some of the latest appointments

• Board of Chiropractic: Cecil Forbes (reappointed)

• Board of Interpreters for the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing: April Davidson and Mitchell Holaly (both reappointed).

• Board of Licensed Midwifery: Sarah Andrews (succeeding Heather Robinson) and Celeste Groenenberg (reappointed).

• Board of Occupational Therapy: Cristian LaBar (reappointed).

• Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery: Ronald Bishop (reappointed).

• Board of Physical Therapy: Benjamin Eggleston (succeeding Nora Cascardo).

• Board of Psychology: Harper West and Melissa Grey (both reappointed).