LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Friday announced the following appointments of Upper Peninsula residents to a government council:

Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council

Daniel A. Paul, of Escanaba, is the president of Delta County Regional Inclusive Community Committee and the chair of the Self-Advocates of Michigan. He is also an associate at Walmart and holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Northern Michigan University. Mr. Paul is reappointed to represent an individual with a developmental disability elected to the board of Self-Advocates of Michigan to represent self-advocates. He will serve for a term commencing October 1, 2020 and expiring September 30, 2024.

Marisa Van Zile, of Watersmeet, is a member of Grand Voices Network and the Upper Peninsula representative for the Family Leadership Network. Ms. Van Zile is a member of the Sokaogon Chippewa Band of Lake Superior Indians and chair of the Intertribal Council of Michigan Parent Policy Committee. She works at the Northern Waters Casino and holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Northern Michigan University. Ms. Van Zile is appointed to represent a parent or guardian of a child with developmental disabilities for a term commencing October 1, 2020 and expiring September 30, 2024. She succeeds Matt Bolger whose term expires September 30, 2020.

The Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council advocates for people with developmental disabilities to increase access to appropriate treatment, services, and rehabilitation. The Council’s objectives include supporting and encouraging people to take control of their lives through community-wide, results-oriented action; channeling federal funds, in the form of grants, where they can do the most good; and maintaining and financially supporting a very effective system of local networking groups across the state known as “regional inclusive community coalitions,” or RICCs.

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