Nov. 25, 2008

The Michigan Historical Center Foundation today announced Merri Jo Bales, director of strategy development, communication and integration for Consumers Energy, as the newest member of its board of directors. Bales, who has worked for Consumers Energy since 1989 and, prior to that, spearheaded Michigan's sesquicentennial celebration, is involved with a number of community organizations.

"Merri Jo's experience and expertise will be a true asset to the foundation, complementing the wide-ranging talents of our returning board members," said Patricia Clark, director of the Michigan Historical Center Foundation. "Having this great roster of leaders in place certainly bolsters the foundation's mission to support the Michigan Historical Center in connecting people to Michigan history."

The foundation board also re-elected several members for a two-year term: Basil "Mickey" Briggs, Esq., of Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, P.C.; Mark Gaffney of the Michigan AFL-CIO; George Meyer of Meyer & Kirk, PLLC; Deborah Muchmore of Marketing Resource Group; Randolph Ragsdale of JP Morgan (board treasurer); Andrew Richner of Clark Hill, PLC; John "Joe" Schwarz, M.D., former congressman; Arlene Sierra of Michigan State University (board secretary); and Edward Surovell of Edward Surovell Realtors.

Other members of the board of directors include Dr. William Anderson of the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries; John Axe, Esq., of Municipal Financial Consultants, Inc.; Sandra Clark of the Michigan Historical Center; John M. Dempsey, Esq., of Dickinson Wright, PLLC; Paul Drake of General Motors - Lansing/Delta Assembly; Patrice Merritt of the Detroit Public Library Friends Foundation (board chair); William Rands, III of Sagres Partners, L.P.; Francis "Bus" Spaniola of the Friends of Michigan History (board vice-chair); and Jim Wardlaw of Ingham Regional Medical Center (board vice-chair).

The Michigan Historical Center Foundation is a private, not-for-profit organization that supports the work of the Michigan Historical Center. The center includes the Michigan Historical Museum, 10 regional museums, the Archives of Michigan, Records Management Services, archaeological and historic preservation programs, and publications, including Michigan History magazine. For more information about the foundation, visit www.michigan.gov/mhcfoundation.

The Michigan Historical Center is part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL), whose mission is to enrich quality of life and strengthen the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan heritage, and fostering cultural creativity. The department also includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. For more information about HAL, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).