Gov. Rick Snyder announced March 5, 2015, initial appointments to two advisory groups that will build upon legislation signed by the governor, creating some of the strongest policies in the nation to combat human trafficking and support survivors.
The Human Trafficking Commission and the Human Trafficking Health Advisory Board will work to further protect Michigan residents from human trafficking, fight repeat violations and improve survivor support services.
“I’m proud of all that we have done in Michigan to prevent human trafficking. We must keep working together to bring a stop to this dangerous threat that has affected too many in our state and nation,” Snyder said. “I thank all of these appointees for their willingness to serve and I am confident their efforts will help ensure Michigan is doing whatever is possible to hold criminals accountable while strengthening protections for human trafficking victims.”
The 14-member Human Trafficking Commission, created by House Bill 5158 of 2014, is charged with making recommendations to the Legislature to improve laws and rules to
address human trafficking violations in the state. The commission will be housed in the Department of the Attorney General. Appointees will serve two-year terms expiring March 1, 2017. Their appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Snyder also made initial appointments to the nine-member Human Trafficking Health Advisory Board, created by Senate Bill 596 of 2014. The board will be housed in the Michigan Department of Community Health and work to address issues relating to medical and mental health of human trafficking survivors. After the expiration of one, two, three or four year initial terms, all subsequent appointees will serve four-year terms. Their appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Members of the Human Trafficking Commission include:
Elizabeth Hertel, of East Lansing, is the director of health policy and innovation for the Michigan Department of Community Health. She was a senior policy adviser in the House Republican Policy Office, a policy analyst for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a senior health policy consultant for Public Sector Consultants, and a legislative assistant for state Rep. Bruce Caswell. Hertel earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Grand Valley State University. She serves as the designee of the director of the Department of Community Health.
Carol Isaacs, of East Lansing, is chief deputy attorney general and served as project manager of the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Commission. She previously served as an adviser and counsel to the Michigan Senate and in Governor John Engler’s office. Isaacs earned a bachelor’s degree in physiology and anthropology from Michigan State University and a law degree from Cooley Law School. She serves as the designee of the attorney general.
Mark Jansen, of Grand Rapids, most recently served as state senator representing the 28th district. He was previously the director of special initiatives for Michigan Habitat for Humanity, a state Representative and Clerk for Gaines Charter Township. He represents individuals recommended by the Senate majority leader.
Kenneth Kurtz, of Coldwater, served six years in the state House of Representatives, representing the 58th district. He also owned and operated three funeral homes. He represents individuals recommended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
David Leyton, of Flint, is the prosecutor for Genesee County. He was previously Flint Twp. clerk and partner at Leyton & Kasle PLC. He is past-president of the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan and was a member of the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Commission. Leyton earned bachelor’s degrees in journalism and political science from University of Toledo and a law degree from Cooley Law School. He represents county prosecuting attorneys.
Kathy Maitland is executive director of the Michigan Abolitionist Project. She also worked in various roles for Hewlett Packard. She has been active in anti-human trafficking work and prevention efforts since 2012. Maitland earned a bachelor’s degree from Spring Arbor University. She represents individuals recommended by the Senate majority leader.
Cheryl Pezon is a policy adviser for the Bureau of Health Care Services in the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). She previously served as a policy analyst in the Senate Majority Policy Office and worked as an attorney in private practice. Pezon earned a bachelor’s degree in employment relations and psychology from Michigan State University and a law degree from Michigan State University. She serves as the designee of the director of LARA.
Edward Price, Oak Park, is a Michigan State Police detective sergeant in the the Second District Special Investigation Section. Price is assigned to the Southeast Michigan Crimes Against Children Task Force, an FBI Task Force that investigates the exploitation of children by means of sex trafficking. He is a member of the U.S. Eastern District of Michigan Project Safe Childhood Training Team. He serves as the designee of the director of the Michigan State Police.
Michelle Rick, of DeWitt, is the 29th Circuit Court’s family court judge and also presides over the criminal division. Rick is a legislative and executive committee member of the Michigan Judicial Association and a member of the Gratiot County Community Corrections Board. Rick earned a bachelor’s in social science from Michigan State University and a law degree from the University of Detroit School of Law. She represents circuit court judges.
Herbert Smitherman Jr., is CEO of Health Centers Detroit Foundation and assistant dean of community and urban health/associate professor of medicine at the Wayne State University Medical School. Smitherman earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Northwestern University, a doctorate from the University of Cincinnati, and a master’s degree in public health and health services administration from the University of Michigan. He represents individuals recommended by the speaker of the House of Representatives.
Tom Tiderington has been chief of the Plymouth Township Police Department since 2001. He helped found the first human trafficking special investigations division in Ft. Lauderdale. Tiderington earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Mercy College of Detroit and a bachelor’s degree in police administration from Florida Atlantic University. He represents law enforcement.
Beth Emmitt, of Byron Center, is currently the director of scheduling for Snyder. She has worked in state government for more than 12 years, previously serving as the Department of State liaison to the Michigan Women’s Commission. She will serve as the designated representative from within the office of the governor.
The two remaining appointees will represent survivors of human trafficking. To learn more or apply, visit the appointments page at www.michigan.gov/snyder.
Members of the Human Trafficking Health Advisory Board:
Brigette Robarge is a human trafficking survivor working toward an associate degree at Schoolcraft Community College. She represents human trafficking survivors.
Ruth Rondon, Wyoming, is retired, most recently serving as clerk for the Kent County Register of Deeds. She is on the board of Red Cord Community, a support organization for women who have survived commercial sexual exploitation and/or drug addiction. She represents human trafficking survivors.
Dena Nazer is chief of the child protection team at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Wayne State University, and performs medical evaluations of suspected child sexual abuse at Kids-TALK Children’s Advocacy Center. Nazer represents individuals licensed to practice medicine and recommended by the Speaker of the House.
Subburaman Sivakumar is president of Subburaman Sivakumar Medical Group and medical director and CEO of Michigan Academic Hospitalist Group. He is also a physician at St. Mary Mercy Hospital where he serves on the Medical Executive Committee. He represents individuals licensed to practice medicine and recommended by the Senate majority leader.
Erin Diamond, appointed chair, is an investigator and electronic forensic examiner in the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department Internet Crimes Unit and part of the Southeast Michigan Crimes Against Children Task Force. He represents individuals with experience and expertise in the field of intervention in or prevention of human trafficking or treatment of human trafficking survivors.
Jeffrey Jackson of Grand Rapids, is a staff psychiatrist at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services and assistant psychiatry clerkship director at Michigan State University. He represents mental health professionals.
Sheila Meshinski is the staff development instructor for emergency services at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital. She has been an emergency nurse for more than 35 years and has served as a sexual assault and forensic nurse. She represents registered professional nurses with experience in an emergency department, emergency room, or hospital trauma center.
Elizabeth Hertel will serve as the designated representative from within the Department of Human Services. She is also serving on the Human Trafficking Commission.
The remaining appointee will be the director of the Michigan Children’s Services Agency which will be created following the effective date of the governor’s executive order merging the Departments of Community Health and Human Services.
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