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MARQUETTE -- Appointments to a variety of state boards and commissions have been made.
One Upper Peninsula resident was named to the Michigan Developmental Disability Council:
• Marisa Van Zile of Watersmeet is a night auditor at Northern Waters Casino, a court officer at the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians' Healing to Wellness Court and is a tribal citizen of the Sokaogon Chippewa Community. She holds an associates of applied management in business from Gogebic Community College and a Bachelor of Science in sociology and Native American studies from Northern Michigan University.
Van Zile, who will succeed Tiffany Gaiter whose term will expire, will be appointed as a parent or guardian of a child with developmental disabilities for a term commencing Oct. 1 and expiring Sept. 30, 2030.
The Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council is an advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. MiDDC channels federal funds to support programmatic activities and grants to improve systems and services to help people with I/DD live self-determined and self-directed lives in a diverse and inclusive community.
Separately, appointments to the Every Child Reads Champions Council were made. The council is a new advisory body created through Executive Order 2026-12 to champion, advise on and strengthen Michigan's statewide literacy plan and ensure every child becomes a strong reader, writer and communicator.
Several U.P. residents were named:
• Carrissa Rondeau, of Skandia, is a clinical therapist, licensed behavior analyst and the founder and owner of Functional Behavior Services. Rondeau holds a bachelor's degree in sociology and a master's degree in social work from Michigan State University. She serves on the boards of the Upper Peninsula Association of Applied Behavior Analysis and the Superior Health Foundation and is chair of the Small Business Association of Michigan UP Regional Board. Rondeau is appointed as a member from the business sector with experience supporting lifelong education for a term commencing Sept. 3 and expiring Sept. 2, 2030.
• Tan-A Hoffman of Sault Ste. Marie, is the director of education for the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. Previously, Hoffman worked for 25 years as a teacher. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Lake Superior State University, an Educational Specialist degree from Northern Michigan University and an Anishinaabe Language teaching certificate from Bay Mills Community College. Hoffman is appointed as a member with experience working in a tribal government or educating in tribal communities and supporting lifelong education for a term commencing Sept. 3 and expiring Sept. 2, 2030.
These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.