April 20, 2005

Deborah Muchmore, chair of the Michigan Historical Center Foundation board of directors, today announced the appointment of five new members to the board:  John R. Axe of Grosse Pointe Farms, Nancy E. Danhof of East Lansing, Steven K. Hamp of Ann Arbor, Douglas B. Roberts of East Lansing, and U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz of Battle Creek.  The board members will serve two-year terms.

"With the outstanding contribution these individuals have made to their communities and our state, we're glad to have them in our corner to champion the importance of Michigan history," said Muchmore.  "Their wealth of experience and leadership will be an invaluable asset to the Michigan Historical Center Foundation."

John R. Axe, president of Municipal Financial Consultants Incorporated and senior member of Axe and Ecklund, PC, serves on the faculty of Wayne State University Law School, where he teaches public finance law.  He is co-author of Michigan Municipal Law.

Nancy E. Danhof, executive director of the Todd Martin Development Fund, serves on the Michigan State University Natural History Museum Associates Board and the East Lansing Focus 20/20 Strategic Planning Commission.  She is a member of the Michigan Board of Education.

Steven K. Hamp, recognized as a Michiganian of the Year by the Detroit News in 1999, is the president of The Henry Ford, where he has worked for 25 years.  Chairman of the Henry Ford Academy Board, the Michigan Travel Commission, and the Michigan Historical Commission, he also serves on numerous other state and local boards and committees, including the Natural Resources Trust Fund and the Nature Conservancy.

Douglas B. Roberts serves as director of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at Michigan State University.  He hasmore than 28 years of experience in Michigan government, including 10 years as state treasurer and time as director of the Senate Fiscal Agency, deputy superintendent of the Department of Education, and acting director of the Department of Management and Budget.  He is a member of the Michigan Historical Commission.

U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz was elected to Congress in 2004, representing the 7^th district.  Formerly a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy and a Central Intelligence Agency operative, he served for 16 years in the Michigan Senate, including 10 years as president pro tempore, and for eight years on the Battle Creek City Commission, the last two years as mayor.  A practicing physician, Schwarz has been treating patients for 30 years.

The Michigan Historical Center Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization that supports the work of the Michigan Historical Center.  The Michigan Historical Center includes the Michigan Historical Museum in Lansing and its 10 field sites, the State Archives of Michigan, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of the State Archaeologist, Michigan History magazine, and Records Management Services. 

The Michigan Historical Center is part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries, 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 Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Library of Michigan, the Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

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