Appointments made to State Board of Ethics

LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointments of Judge Lawrence Glazer, of Okemos, Albert Nelson Jr., of Troy, and Joseph Walker, of Bingham Farms, to the State Board of Ethics. John Pirich, already serving on the board, will serve as chair for a term ending at the pleasure of the governor.

The seven-member board serves as an advisory and investigatory committee which determines the ethical conduct of classified and unclassified state employees and public officers in the executive branch of Michigan state government.

"These individuals are exceptional choices for this board," said Snyder. "I am confident their backgrounds, skills and experiences will assist the board in maintaining the highest ethical standing across state government."

Glazer retired after 35 years of service in the legal and public sectors. Previously, he served as judge of the 30^th Circuit Court and the Court of Claims, special counsel and legal adviser to Gov. Jim Blanchard, executive director of the Governor's Advisory Commission on Electric Power Alternatives, assistant attorney general in the appellate division and administrative assistant to Attorney General Frank Kelley. Glazer also worked as an adjunct professor at Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he taught advanced elective courses in mass communications law, government regulation of business and anti-trust law. He received a bachelor's degree with a distinction in history from Wayne State University and a degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Glazer replaces Frank Kelley. 

Nelson is president of the defense practice firm Albert Taylor Nelson Jr. PLC and has served as counsel to Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton PC in Troy since 2001. Previously, he served as senior partner at Kemp Klein Umphrey & Endelman in Troy and partner at Evans, Nelson, Pletkovic and Hays in Huntington Woods. Nelson also worked as a teacher at Cass Technical High School, where he was a member of the school's North Central Accreditation Committee. He earned a bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree in public administration, both from the University of Detroit, and a law degree from Wayne State University. Nelson replaces Paul Yedwab.

Walker has served as president of Maple Bay Consulting LLC since 2009, where he provides strategic planning, leadership and talent development and teambuilding services for organizations in need of transition or transformation. Previously, he served as president of Polk Global Automotive, a division of R.L. Polk & Co., senior vice president and general counsel for R.L. Polk & Co. and president, CEO, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Plunkett & Cooney. Walker serves as chairman of the board for the Providence Health Foundation board of directors and is a member of the St. John Providence West Region board of trustees. He holds a bachelor's degree from Xavier University and a degree from the University of Detroit School of Law. Walker replaces Frederick Dillingham.

Appointees will serve four-year terms that expire Feb. 7, 2016, and their appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

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