LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – A Marquette non-profit leader is part of a new housing development group created by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Zosia Eppensteiner, the CEO of the Community Foundation of Marquette County, is appointed to the governor’s new Michigan State Housing Development Authority Statewide Housing Partnership.
Governor Whitmer signed an executive order in 2022 to establish the Statewide Housing Partnership, an advisory body within the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Its primary responsibility is to develop a strategic plan including rehabilitating the housing supply, reducing equity gaps and homelessness, and increasing home energy efficiency.
The governor’s office said of Eppensteiner:
"Zosia Eppensteiner, of Marquette, serves as chief executive officer for the Community Foundation of Marquette. Ms. Eppensteiner also currently serves as a board member for the Community Development Association of Michigan, and as a Marquette County Ambassador through the Lake Superior Community Partnership. She holds a Master of Science in Mathematics and Master of Arts in Sociology from the University of Gdansk in Poland. Ms. Eppensteiner is appointed to represent organizations that advocate in support of access to resources and services for marginalized individuals and families, for a term commencing March 9, 2023 and expiring September 6, 2024."
The Partnership will dissolve on September 6, 2024.
You can read the full press release from the governor’s office below.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the following appointments to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority Statewide Housing Partnership.
Michigan State Housing Development Authority Statewide Housing Partnership
Nicole M. Basch, of Traverse City, is currently the housing director for Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. She received her bachelor’s degree from Spring Arbor University in management and organizational development. She also holds her Associates of Applied Science in Business Administration from Northwestern Michigan College. Ms. Basch is appointed to represent a tribal government located within this state, for a term commencing March 9, 2023 and expiring September 6, 2024.
David Bulkowski, of Grand Rapids, is a commissioner for Kent County and serves as executive director at the Disability Advocates of Kent County. David holds his Bachelor of Arts in Theology and his Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Catholic University of Louvain and holds his Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University Law School. Mr. Bulkowski is appointed to represent community development or advocacy organizations that provide services or housing to families, or support other organizations who do, for a term commencing March 9, 2023 and expiring September 6, 2024.
Stephan W. Currie, of East Lansing, is currently the executive director of Michigan Association of Counties. Stephan also serves as a member of the Horizon Bank Advisory Board of Directors. He graduated from Hope College with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and has a Master of Business Administration from Michigan State University. Mr. Currie is appointed to represent local government, which might include representatives from county or municipal government associations, for a term commencing March 9, 2023 and expiring September 6, 2024.
Nikki Devitt, of Petoskey, is the president of the Petoskey Regional Chamber. She is also a founding member of the Little Traverse Bay Housing Partnership, on the board of directors for Northern Community Mediation, and on the board of directors for the Little Traverse Civic Center. Nikki graduated from Caro Community High School and has attended nonprofit and leadership trainings at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management. Ms. Devitt is appointed to represent business advocacy organizations, for a term commencing March 9, 2023 and expiring September 6, 2024.
Catherine Distelrath, of Farmington Hills, is director of the Michigan team for the Cooperation for Supportive Housing. She received her bachelor’s in Psychology and Sociology from John Carroll University, and her Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. Ms. Distelrath is appointed to represent organizations that advocate in support of access to resources and services for marginalized individuals and families, for a term commencing March 9, 2023 and expiring September 6, 2024.
Zosia Eppensteiner, of Marquette, serves as chief executive officer for the Community Foundation of Marquette. Ms. Eppensteiner also currently serves as a board member for the Community Development Association of Michigan, and as a Marquette County Ambassador through the Lake Superior Community Partnership. She holds a Master of Science in Mathematics and Master of Arts in Sociology from the University of Gdansk in Poland. Ms. Eppensteiner is appointed to represent organizations that advocate in support of access to resources and services for marginalized individuals and families, for a term commencing March 9, 2023 and expiring September 6, 2024.
Robert Filka, of Muskegon, Filka is the chief executive officer for the Home Builders Association of Michigan. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration at Hope College. Mr. Filka is appointed to represent development associations or organizations, which might include organizations representing realtors, builders, and planners, for a term commencing March 9, 2023 and expiring September 6, 2024.
Chedrick Greene, of Saginaw, is a fire lieutenant for Saginaw Fire Department. He is also president for the Saginaw County Veterans Memorial Plaza Board, as vice president for the Board of the Saginaw Valley Crime Commission. In addition, he also holds an associate’s degree from Delta College. Mr. Greene is appointed to represent individuals with lived experience of housing instability, for a term commencing March 9, 2023 and expiring September 6, 2024.
Amin Irving, of West Bloomfield, is the founder and chief executive officer for Ginosko Development Company. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. Mr. Irving is appointed to represent development associations or organizations, which might include organizations representing realtors, builders, and planners, for a term commencing March 9, 2023 and expiring September 6, 2024.
David A. LaLumia, of Eagle, is the executive director for Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan. David received a Master of Social Work in Public Policy and Administration from the University of Michigan. David also received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Loyola University. Mr. LaLumia is appointed to represent community development or advocacy organizations that provide services or housing to families, or support other organizations who do, for a term commencing March 9, 2023 and expiring September 6, 2024.
Nancy Lindman, of East Lansing, is the director of Public Policy and Partnerships with the Michigan Association of United Ways. She received her Master of Arts in Public Relations and Bachelor of Arts in Communication at Michigan State University. Ms. Lindman is appointed to represent organizations that advocate in support of access to resources and services for marginalized individuals and families, for a term commencing March 9, 2023 and expiring September 6, 2024.
Joshua J. Lunger, of Grand Rapids, is the vice president of Governmental Affairs at the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. He received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Grand Valley State University. Mr. Lunger is appointed to represent business advocacy organizations, for a term commencing March 9, 2023 and expiring September 6, 2024.
Sergio Martinez, of Detroit, is currently the general manager for La Feria in Detroit and a board member for Michigan United. Mr. Martinez is an activist for issues included but not limited to immigrant rights, Latino leadership, small business engagement, and LGBTQ rights. He graduated from Woodhaven High School. Mr. Martinez is appointed to represent individuals with lived experience of housing instability, for a term commencing March 9, 2023 and expiring September 6, 2024.
Christine C. Narayanan, of Ann Arbor, is the president and chief executive officer for Opportunity Resource Fund. Ms. Narayanan is also a founding steering committee member the Michigan Community Development Financial Institutions Coalition and Public Interest Director of the Board of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Management and Organizational Development from Spring Arbor University. Ms. Narayanan is appointed to represent the finance industry, which might include banking institutions, credit unions, or their respective associations, for a term commencing March 9, 2023 and expiring September 6, 2024.
Faye A. Nelson, of Grosse Pointe Woods, serves as Michigan director of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Mercy College of Detroit and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Detroit School of Law. Ms. Nelson is appointed to represent philanthropic or nonprofit organizations that promote the welfare of others through funding or programming, for a term commencing March 9, 2023 and expiring September 6, 2024.
Jason Paulateer, of Detroit, is the senior vice president for Community Development Markets at Fifth Third Bank. He serves as Chairman of the Board for Communities First in Flint, a board member for Samaritas, a board member for Forgotten Harvest, a board secretary for Gleaners Food Bank of Southeast Michigan, and as a board member for LifeBUILDERS in Detroit. He holds his Bachelor of Business Management from Grand Valley State University and his Master of Business Administration from Grand Valley State University. Mr. Paulateer is appointed to represent the finance industry, which might include banking institutions, credit unions, or their respective associations, for a term commencing March 9, 2023 and expiring September 6, 2024.
Jennifer Rigterink, of DeWitt, is an assistant director of State and Federal Affairs at Michigan Municipal League. She holds her Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from Michigan State University and is a certified Economic Development Finance Professional with The National Development Council. Ms. Rigterink is appointed to represent local government, which might include representatives from county or municipal government associations, for a term commencing March 9, 2023 and expiring September 6, 2024.
Brad Ward, of South Lyon, is the vice president of public policy and legal affairs for Michigan Realtors. Mr. Ward is also a member of the State Bar of Michigan, National Association of Realtors Government Affairs Director Advisory Board, and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce Tax Policy Committee. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy for Michigan State University, and J.D. from Wayne State University School of Law. Mr. Ward is appointed to represent development associations or organizations, which might include organizations representing realtors, builders, and planners, for a term commencing March 9, 2023 and expiring September 6, 2024.
Statewide Housing Partnership Background
Last year, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2022-10 establishing the Statewide Housing Partnership as an advisory body within the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Members include leaders from state, local, and tribal governments, advocates from nonprofit and community organizations, and representatives from the business advocacy world and finance industry.
The partnership’s primary responsibility is to develop a strategy to implement the Michigan Statewide Housing Plan released in 2022 and make recommendations to MSHDA on how best to achieve its goals. The plan presented opportunities for organizations to partner on common objectives, including rehabilitating and stabilizing the housing supply, reducing equity gaps and homelessness, and increasing home energy efficiency and weatherization.
The new Statewide Housing Partnership will lead a coordinated, data-driven, outcome-oriented approach to housing, ensuring that all Michiganders have a safe, affordable place to call home. They will also establish regional consortiums to ensure statewide initiatives build on local efforts whenever possible, and they will keep Michiganders updated on their progress with public-facing communications. The Partnership will dissolve on September 6, 2024.
These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
