MARQUETTE — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently announced appointments state boards and commissions recently. Several Upper Peninsula residents were among those named. 

• Michigan Truck Safety Commission 

Pete Torola, of Chassell, is a research engineer at Michigan Tech University. Torola holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Michigan Technological University.  Peter Torola is appointed to represent four-year colleges and universities for a term commencing June 23 and expiring Aug. 4, 2027. Torola succeeds Dr. Colin Brooks, who has resigned. The Michigan Truck Safety Commission is the only organization in the nation dedicated to commercial truck driver education and training supported solely by the industry it serves. The Commission is committed to enhancing truck and truck driver safety by providing truck driver education and training, heightening all drivers’ awareness of the operational characteristics and limitations of trucks, initiating data collection and research, and supporting enforcement of motor carrier safety laws.

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

• Gun Violence Prevention Task Force  

Shawn Borowicz, of Saint Ignace, is a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors. Borowicz is licensed to practice as a paramedic and firefighter. Shawn Borowicz is appointed as an individual with experience working within a tribal government for a term commencing June 23 and expiring June 22, 2030. The Michigan Gun Violence Prevention Task Force was originally created by Executive Order 2024-4 and re-established by Executive Order 2026-13. The Task Force is housed within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and is charged with identifying the root causes of gun violence, compiling and reports relevant data, maximizing existing resources, soliciting perspectives from diverse stakeholders, and recommending policy to save lives. The group is comprised of members reflecting a wide range of stakeholders including state department directors, medical experts, law enforcement professionals, tribal representatives and more.     

This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

• Michigan Public Safety Communications Interoperability Board 

Bryce Tracy, of St. Ignace, is the director of 911 and emergency management for Mackinac County. Tracy is a member of the state 9-1-1 committee and holds a certification as a professional emergency manager. Bryce Tracy is appointed as a representative of local emergency medical services departments for a term commencing June 23 and expiring April 30, 2027. The Michigan Public Safety Communications Interoperability Board oversees the Michigan’s Public Safety Communications System, an 800/700 MHz radio system and telecommunications network that also provides public safety specific applications integrated into the network. The board is responsible for advising the governor on all interoperability aspects of current and future technology in the state to ensure the public safety community is well prepared today and in the future with the emergency communications ecosystem.    

This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.