NEGAUNEE — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced appointments to a number of state boards and panels including the Rural Development Fund Board. Appointed to that board was Erin Warlick of Negaunee.

Warlick is the director of finance and project development at InvestUP. Warlick holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting and information systems from the University of Utah and a Master of Accounting from Saint Louis University. Erin Warlick is appointed to represent Independents and residents of the Upper Peninsula for a term commencing February 11, 2026, and expiring December 31, 2029. Warlick succeeds Victoria Leonhardt, whose term has expired. 

The Rural Development Fund Board, housed in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, has oversight of the Rural Development Fund. The Board is charged with advising the Department on how to distribute tax revenue collected from mines to improve and strengthen local communities.  

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.