Guest Speakers - Executive Branch
Bucholz, T.J
T.J. Bucholz served as the Public Information Officer for the Michigan
Department of Education. In his capacity with the Department, Bucholz serves
as a senior education and communications advisor to Michigan Superintendent
of Public Instruction Tom Watkins. He is the chief spokesperson for the
Department of Education and State Board of Education. Prior to his work
with the Department of Education, Bucholz worked as the Director of Communications
in both the Mt. Pleasant and Midland
Public Schools. He also has worked as a newspaper reporter for the Mt. Pleasant
Morning Sun and the Associated Press. He also serves as President-Elect
of the Michigan School Public Relations Association. In 2003, Bucholz was
named as a Fellow in the Michigan Political Leadership Program.
Michigan Department of Community Health
320 S. Walnut St.
Lansing, MI 48913
517-335-0267
Byers, Doris
Doris Byers has been a state employee for more than 27 years. For the past seven years she has been a Legislative Liaison with the Michigan Department of Transportation, Office of Governmental Affairs. Prior to joining the Department of Transportation, Ms. Byers worked as a Regulation Officer for the Public Service Commission, which was then under the Department of Labor.
Deacon, Brad
Brad Deacon grew up on a small dairy farm in Faithorn, in the Upper Peninsula's Menominee County. Brad graduated from Michigan State University's James Madison College, and then spent the following academic year studying in Germany on a Fulbright grant. Upon returning from Germany, Brad worked on the farm until May of 1995, when he started working in the office of Governor John Engler. In June of 1999, Brad became the Legislative Liaison and Regulatory Affairs Officer for the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Brad is also attending Michigan State University-Detroit College of Law part time as a King Scholar.
517-335-3403
Huddleston II, Lindsay
Lindsay W. Huddleston II is a 27 year old native Detroiter. He attended Detroit Henry Ford High School. Lindsay then went on to graduate from Western Michigan University with a degree in Political Science. While at Western Michigan, he was vice president of the N.A.A.C.P. and became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. Upon graduating from Western Michigan, he returned to Detroit to teach English and coach basketball at his alma mater, Henry Ford High School. Lindsay also taught the G.E.D. and was Student Government advisor at the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility. Following that, Lindsay traveled the United States and Canada as a motivational speaker. He spoke to high school and college students about the importance of academic success, what to look for in a college or university and job interview skills. Lindsay then began law school at Michigan State University-Detroit College of Law. It was during this time that he met then Michigan Attorney General Jennifer M. Granholm. Lindsay joined her campaign for Governor of the State of Michigan working as a Generation X organizer. Upon Jennifer Granholm being elected Governor, Lindsay became an assistant to the Governor. His responsibilities include doing her political advance, Cool Cities outreach and being the Governor's Representative in Northwest Detroit.
Huddlestonl@michigan.gov
Knapp, Dennis
Dennis Knapp has served as the Department of Natural Resources Legislative Liaison Office since January, 2002. He previously worked for the Michigan United Conservation Clubs as the Policy Director and as the Wildlife Resource Specialist/SE Michigan Field Representative for 12 years.
(517) 241-0330
Krause, Jeffrey
Mr. Krause is a Business Line Executive, and is on special assignment to the Governor's Office as of February 2003. His assignment is to bring lean business practices to help streamline operations in the Family Independence Agency. He earned a bachelor's degree from GMI and an MBA from Harvard. Prior to this assignment, Krause was the Business Line Executive for Exhaust Emissions, Fuel Handling, and Evaporative products for Delphi and Chassis Systems. Krause has also worked in the New York Treasurer's Office, where he held such positions as analyst for the employment section during labor negotiations, manager of business development and manager for Investor Relations during GM's North American Operations turnaround.
517-335-6397
LaPine, Deb
Deb LaPine has been a Deputy Director for the Michigan Department of Career Development for the past three years. She oversees all administrative functions for the department, including a budget of approximately $461 million and federal grants estimated to total about $388 million. Ms. LaPine has also worked in Michigan state government in the areas of human resources, labor relations, and economic development; and experience working in the Michigan Legislature.
(517) 241-4000
Martin, Tom
Tom Martin was born in the small, western Washington community of Winlock. He graduated from the University of Washington and received a graduate degree from the University of Wisconsin. He has worked for the State of Michigan for 28 years. Currently, Mr. Martin serves as Legislative Liaison for the Department of Consumer and Industry Services. He has ridden a bicycle to work for over 25 years.
(517) 373-7486