July 19, 2007

Mackinac Island, Mich. - Dennis O. Cawthorne was reappointed to the Mackinac Island State Park Commission for a fourth term by Governor Jennifer Granholm on July 18, 2007.   The governor's office also announced that Barry J. Goodman of Southfield was appointed to the Commission to take the seat currently held by Joan L. Porteous of Reed City.

A partner in Kelley Cawthorne, a Lansing-based legal and government relations practice, Mr. Cawthorne has served as chairman of the Commission since he was originally appointed by Governor John Engler in 1991.  He is a former member of the Michigan House of Representatives where he served as House Republican Leader for four years.  He is a graduate of Albion College (Phi Beta Kappa honors) and Harvard Law School.  Mr. Cawthorne is the longest-serving chairman in the Mackinac Island State Park Commission's 112-year history. 

Of his reappointment, Mr. Cawthorne said: "I am pleased and honored to be reappointed to the Commission and I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners to continue our mission of protecting, preserving and presenting the rich historic and natural resources of the Mackinac State Historic Parks."   

Mr. Goodman is an attorney and senior partner with Goodman Acker, P.C. of Southfield.  Mr. Goodman has a juris doctorate from Stetson University College of Law. He was admitted to practice in Florida in 1977 and Michigan in 1979. He has also practiced extensively in the federal courts of both states. He has been a member of the Michigan Trial Lawyers since 1985, and has served in the capacity of Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President, President Elect and President of that organization.

The Mackinac Island State Park Commission consists of seven members appointed by the governor of Michigan and confirmed by the Michigan Senate.  Its other members include Karen Karam (vice chair), Laurie A. Stupak (secretary), Frank J. Kelley, Richard A. Manoogian and Fr. Jim Williams.

Mackinac State Historic Parks, a family of living history museums and nature parks in northern Michigan's Straits of Mackinac, is an agency within the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries. Its sites - which are accredited by the American Association of Museums - include Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Island State Park and Historic Downtown on Mackinac Island, and Colonial Michilimackinac, Historic Mill Creek and Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City.

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