NERITA HUGHES

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday appointed Nerita Hughes, the president of Bay de Noc Community College, to the state’s Workforce Development Board.

The board is responsible for the development and improvement of the workforce development system in Michigan, acting as an advisory body. It assists with the development, implementation, and modification of Michigan’s four-year state plan pursuant to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, the governor’s office said in a news release.

WIOA was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2014 to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services while also matching employers with skilled workers. Michigan’s Workforce Development Board works as well to advance Whitmer’s 60 by 30 goal of helping 60% of the state’s workforce achieve a post-secondary degree or certification by 2030.

Hughes, of Escanaba, became president of Bay College in July 2023. She is also president of JG Consulting. She previously held the role of interim associate vice president of academic affairs and workforce innovation at North Hennepin Community College. Prior to that, she served as the organizational effectiveness and development manager for Ramsey County, Minnesota, where she also led as workforce innovation and opportunity manager.

Hughes earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from National American University and both her Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Education from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Hughes was named by Whitmer to represent presidents of community colleges for a term expiring May 29, 2028. She succeeds Russ Kavalhuna, who has resigned. Bay College, founded in 1962, has campuses in both Escanaba and Iron Mountain.

Also appointed to the Michigan Workforce Development Board on Thursday was Larry Brinker Jr., of Northville, chief executive officer of Brinker and president of Brinker Group and L.S. Brinker Company.

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

In some other appointments:

— Brandon Fewins, of Traverse City, the former Michigan state director for rural development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the former Northern Michigan regional manager for U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, was named to the Natural Resources Commission. Fewins holds an associate’s degree in history from Northwestern Michigan College and a Bachelor of Science in history and social sciences from Central Michigan University. He was appointed as a Democrat for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2028. He succeeds Dan Kildee, who has resigned.

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission has authority to regulate the taking of game and sportfish and is authorized to designate game species and authorize the establishment of the first open season for animals through the issuance of orders. This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

— Dr. Kyle Danek, of Marquette, president of Lincoln Dental Marquette, was named to the Michigan Board of Dentistry. Danek holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from Northern Michigan University and a Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Michigan. He was appointed as a dentist for a term expiring June 30, 2029. Danek succeeds Mark Johnston, whose term has expired.

The Michigan Board of Dentistry was formed to regulate the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene, authorize dental assistants, and certify specialists in the fields of orthodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and oral pathology. The appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

— Lesley Addison, of Marquette, a retired school counselor for Marquette Area Public Schools, was named to the Michigan Board of Counseling. Addison holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and education from Albion College and a Master of Arts in guidance and counseling from Bowling Green State University. Addison was reappointed as a member of the general public for a term expiring June 30, 2029.

The Michigan Board of Counseling works to oversee the practice of approximately 9,099 counselors across the state. Underlying all duties is the responsibility of the board to promote and protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare. The board also has the obligation to take disciplinary action against licensees who have adversely affected the public’s health, safety, and welfare. The appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

— Kathleen Isleib, of Negaunee, an accountant at Tailored CPAs and an accounting instructor at Northern Michigan University, was named to the Michigan Board of Accountancy. Isleib holds a Bachelor of Arts in accounting from Michigan State University and a Master of Science in accounting from Northern Illinois University. She was reappointed as a certified public accountant who is a full-time instructor of accounting above the elementary level at an accredited college or university for a term expiring June 30, 2029.

The Michigan State Board of Accountancy is responsible for the certification, licensure, and regulation of certified public accountants and public accounting firms in Michigan. The appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772 ext. 85226 or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.