Snyder makes appointments to Michigan Freedom Trail Commission

LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointments of Charles "David" Teeter, of Detroit, and Kimberly Davis Tranumn, of Northville, as well as the reappointment of Roy Finkenbine, of Livonia, to the Michigan Freedom Trail Commission.

Established in 1998, the commission preserves and promotes the legacy of the Underground Railroad's Freedom Trail in Michigan.

"I am pleased to appoint David, Kimberly and Roy to the essential work of preserving this trail, and with it, Michigan's history, cultural heritage and embodiment of freedom," said Snyder.

Appointed:

Teeter serves as a public policy analyst for the Detroit City Council's Research and Analysis Division. Previously, he worked as a museum assistant for Wayne State University's anthropology museum, an instructor in the university's Department of Anthropology and an archival assistant in the university archives. Since 2001, Teeter has presented at the First Congregational Church of Detroit's Underground Railroad Tours. He received a bachelor's degree in anthropology and history from the University of Idaho and a master's degree in anthropology from Wayne State University. Teeter will represent local communities in which the Underground Railroad had significant presence and replaces Lottie Jones Hood.

Davis Tranumn is director of Adrian College's Underground Railroad Education Program and serves as an adjunct professor of communication arts. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science as well as master's degrees in public administration and journalism. Currently, Davis Tranumn is pursuing a doctorate in political science from Wayne State University. She will represent members of the academic community filling a vacancy created by the passing of Bonnie Marshall.

Reappointed:

Finkenbine is the interim dean for the College of Liberal Arts and Education at the University of Detroit Mercy. He teaches an annual college course on the Underground Railroad and consulted with the Detroit Historical Museum and the Wright Museum of African American History on Underground Railroad exhibits. Finkenbine earned a bachelor's degree in social studies education from Taylor University in Indiana, a master's degree in history from Northern Arizona University and a doctorate in American culture studies from Bowling Green State University. He will represent members of the academic community.

Appointees will serve four-year terms that expire Feb. 1, 2016. Their appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

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