Updates About People

Following approval from federal officials, Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) has officially named Amy Hovey as the executive director.

Hovey served as a contract consultant for MSHDA while awaiting the finalization of her appointment as executive director. Hovey’s priorities include collaborating with the Housing Partnership Advisory Board to implement their housing goal of creating 75,000 new housing units across Michigan over the next five years. This is in accordance with Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Order signed in September which created the Housing Partnership Advisory Board to ensure federal funding for affordable housing and housing equity.

On November 22, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed State Representative Kyra Harris Bolden (D-Southfield) to serve on the Michigan Supreme Court.

Bolden is set to make history as the first Black woman to serve on the high court. This will also be the Governor’s first appointment to the Supreme Court. This appointment comes following the announcement of Chief Justice Bridget McCormack’s retirement earlier this fall after ten years on the bench.

In related news, Justice Elizabeth Clement was unanimously elected as the new chief justice and will take over for the remainder of Chief Justice Bridget McCormack’s term. Justice Clement was appointed by former Governor Rick Synder and elected to an eight-year term in 2018. Following her election as chief justice, Clement said she is committed to a judiciary that focuses on civility, transparency, and accountability.

On December 2, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced new leadership in state departments and agencies for the next four years. Entering her second term as governor, she commented that new opportunities and challenges are ahead, and the appointments and promotions will build on the work of the last four years.

Dan Eichinger will serve as acting director of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Eichinger is currently the director at the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), where he has served since 2019. He replaces Liesl Clark.

Michelle Lange will serve as director of the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB). Lange has held leadership positions within DTMB, including chief deputy officer, director of executive direction and operations, chief of staff to the director, and the legislative department liaison. She has worked under Governor Whitmer as well as former governor Rick Snyder.

Senator Adam Hollier (D-Detroit) was chosen as the new director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA). He is currently serving his second term in the Michigan Senate and will term out at the end of the year. Hollier served as a volunteer firefighter before enlisting in the U.S. Army and graduating with distinction from officer candidate school, where he earned the commission of 2nd Lieutenant.

Brian Hanna was selected as executive director of the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA). He will move from acting executive director to executive director. Hanna spent five years with the CRA as field operations, inspections, and investigations manager and served under former director Andrew Brisbo.

Brade Wieferich will assume the role of acting director of the Department of Transportation (MDOT). He is currently the chief operations officer of MDOT, overseeing their seven regions, the Bureau of Development, the Bureau of Field Services, and the Bureau of Bridges and Structures. He replaces Director Paul Ajegba, who is planning to retire from MDOT at the end of the year.

Kathy Angerer was selected as acting director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), where she is currently the deputy director. She replaces Director Gary McDowell, who is planning to retire at the end of the year.

Shannon Lott will serve as acting director of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Lott has worked for over 25 years at the DNR and most recently held the role of natural resources deputy.

In addition to new leadership across state departments, Governor Whitmer announced staff changes in the executive office. Senior Advisor Shaquila Myers will be chief of staff to Speaker-elect Joe Tate (D-Detroit). Deputy Chief of Staff Melanie Brown will serve as executive ombudsman and senior partnerships advisor at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Chief Legal Counsel Nick Bagley will return to his position as a law professor at the University of Michigan. Maria Martinez will act as chief legal counsel while maintaining her duties as chief compliance officer.