This week, Governor Rick Snyder announced the initial appointments to the Michigan Council on Future Mobility.  The twenty-one-member council was created through legislation in 2016.  Housed within the Department of Transportation, the council will provide the Governor and the Legislature with recommendations regarding changes to state policy to ensure Michigan continues to be a leader in automated, driverless, and connected vehicle technology.  They’re tasked with submitting recommendations for statewide policy changes and updates no later than March 31, 2017, and to continue making recommendations annually thereafter.  “The council is an additional avenue that the Governor is utilizing to keep Michigan at the forefront of this technology as it continues to evolve at a rapid pace,” stated Tony Des Chenes of MLC.

Members appointed by the Governor will serve terms expiring at the pleasure of the Governor and are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.  The appointees are:

• Steve Arwood, CEO of Michigan Economic Development Corporation
• Stephen Buckley, senior technical fellow and senior manager in electrical engineering for FCA US LLC
• David Bulkowski, executive director for Disability Advocates of Kent County
• Mark Davidoff, Michigan managing partner for Deloitte, LLP
• Eric DeLong, deputy city manager for the City of Grand Rapids
• Ryan Eustice, vice president of autonomous driving for Toyota Research Institute
• Emily Frascaroli, counsel for Ford Motor Company and a lecturer at the University of Michigan Law School
• John James, president of Renaissance Global Logistics and James Group International
• Amy Mass, vice president and counsel for The Hanover Insurance Group/Citizens Insurance
• Jeremy McClain, director of systems and technology for Continental Automotive Systems, Inc
• John Peracchio, managing member of Peracchio & Company, LLC.
• Gary Smyth, executive director of Global R&D Laboratories for General Motors Company, Global Research and Development

Additional voting members on the Council are:

• Kirk Steudle, Director of the Department of Transportation
• Pat McPharlin, Director of the Department of Insurance and Financial Services
• Michael Senyko, Chief of Staff and designee of Secretary of State Ruth Johnson
• David Behen, Director of the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget
• Col. Kriste Etue, Director of the Michigan State Police
• Senator Mike Kowall, appointed by the Senate Majority Leader
• Senator Rebekah Warren, appointed by the Senate Majority Leader
• Representative Michele Hoitenga, appointed by the Speaker of the House
• Representative Kevin Hertel, appointed by the Speaker of the House

Michigan Legislative Consultants is a bipartisan lobbying firm based in Lansing, Michigan. Our team of lobbyists and procurement specialists provide a wide range of services for some of the most respected companies in America. For more on MLC, visit www.mlcmi.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.