LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointments of Susan Broman, of Grand Rapids, Melissa Cragg, of Grosse Pointe Park and Leslie Murphy, of Ann Arbor, to the Early Childhood Investment Corp. He also announced the reappointments of Shauna Barbeau, of Midland, and Lewis “Lew” Chamberlin, of Grand Rapids.
Created in 2005, the 18-member committee is the state’s leading group for information and investment in early childhood programs.
“These individuals bring diverse backgrounds and years of experience, and I am confident they will do great work to ensure the quality and effectiveness of Michigan’s early childhood programs,” said Snyder.
Broman is director of the Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Great Start. Previously, she served as president of the Steelcase Foundation, which focuses on human services, health, education, community development, the arts and environment. Broman is chair of the Kent County Family Children Coordinating Council and former chair of the Council on Michigan Foundations’ “Early Matters” early childhood initiative. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Western Michigan University. Broman is the designee of the Michigan Department of Education.
Cragg is the chief investment officer for The Fisher Group in Southfield, where she oversees investment management and strategy development. Previously, she served as treasurer and vice president of finance for the Detroit Medical Center, and as group manager and vice president for Comerica Bank. Cragg is treasurer for the Women’s Caring Program, and serves as a member of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s investment committee and Trinity Health’s investment subcommittee. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in business administration, both from Washington University in St. Louis. Cragg replaces Anne Mervenne.
Murphy is president and CEO of Murphy Consulting Inc., where she provides services to businesses, professional firms and nonprofit entities in the areas of corporate governance, work force development, culture enhancement and staff retention. Previously, she served as a group managing partner with Plante Moran PLLC. Murphy received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Michigan. She replaces Douglas Luciani.
Barbeau is a family nurse practitioner with Health Delivery Inc. – Janes Street Academic Community Health Center in Saginaw, where she provides preventative and acute health care services to citizens of all ages. Previously, Barbeau worked as a family nurse practitioner in Spokane, Wash., and served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve as a flight nurse captain. During Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom, she served as medical crew director, where she assisted returning injured servicemen and servicewomen. Barbeau holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Seattle University and Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., respectively.
Chamberlin is managing partner and CEO of the West Michigan White Caps minor league baseball team. He is a member of the Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention and Visitors Bureau board and the Convention/Arena Authority, which owns and operates VanAndel Arena and DeVos Place. Chamberlin also serves on the First Steps Commission, whose goal is to build a comprehensive system of support for Kent County’s youngest children, ages five and below. He received a bachelor’s degree in history from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania and a law degree from the University of Toledo.
Appointees will serve four-year terms that expire July 22, 2016, and their appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.