Three local residents have been appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to a council that will focus on Michigan’s population.
The Growing Michigan Together Council will advise the governor on specific policies to grow Michigan’s population, including identifying a population goal for 2050. The council will also look at ways to prepare Michigan’s workforce for in-demand jobs and emerging industries by proposing initiatives to improve preK-12 educational outcomes and long-term funding solutions for higher education including financial aid. Additionally, to meet the needs of a growing, thriving population, the council will develop long-term, sustainable transportation and water infrastructure funding solutions.
On Friday, Whitmer announced that she had appointed Linda Apsey, of Brighton, Maha Freij, of South Lyon and Jennifer Root, of Howell, to the council.
Aspey, President and CEO for ITC Holdings Corporation, also served as the Manager of Transmission Policy and Business Planning for ITC. She earned a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in public affairs management from Michigan State University.
Freij, President & Chief Executive Officer of ACCESS, holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics from Hebrew University..
Root, Executive Director for SEIU Michigan, works on behalf of workers in four local unions and approximately 30,000 members. She received her Bachelor of Arts in political science and women’s studies from Indiana University and her Juris Doctorate from the Indiana University School of Law.
All three are appointed to represent the interests of the private sector, labor, workforce development and talent, infrastructure, non-profit or philanthropy, and education, for a term commencing June 30, 2023, and expiring at the pleasure of the governor.
Officials say that additional appointments, including four members of the legislative branch and two members with expertise in demography and economics, will be made in the weeks ahead.
These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
