Current Fellows

Each Michigan Political Leadership Program class of fellows is comprised of 24 individuals from across Michigan. Brief biographical sketches of the current MPLP fellows, the Class of 2009, are provided below. An overview of the fellowship is also available online.

2010 MPLP Fellows

Marlon Brown (D), Ingham:  Marlon is the Specialty Courts MIS Coordinator for the Michigan Supreme Court/State Court Administrative Office.  He currently serves on the Ingham County Equal Opportunity Committee and formerly served as Secretary of the Warren City Planning Commission.  Marlon has a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from the American University, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Delaware.  In 2008, Marlon ran for State Representative and worked as a campaign staffer for Oakland County Treasurer, Andy Meisner.  Marlon is also developing an online network that focuses on North American Studies.

Edward Bujdos (R), Kent:  Ed is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch.  Ed has fostered business, community and mentoring relationships by seeking leadership and volunteer roles with the United Way, Grand Rapids Rotary Club, and as a coach and father to his three children.  Ed has a growing thirst for understanding the collaboration necessary amongst individuals, organizations and institutions to make a significant difference in people’s lives.  He is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a degree in Economics and Marketing.

Eric Doeh (D), Macomb:  Eric graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Political Science and English.  He attended Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, where he received his JD.  He currently is an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney at the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.  He has also worked as an Assistant Attorney General for the Washington DC Attorney General’s Office.  Eric is a member of the Michigan Bar Association, served as Vice-President for the Government Bar Association and is a guest lecturer at Wayne State University.

Elke Doom (D), Wayne:  Elke is serving her first term as Huron Charter Township Supervisor.  She is owner of Huron Appraisal Service, a company that assists communities with assessment administration.  Active in grass roots politics, she works to elect local officials who share her belief in accountability and transparency in government.  She sits on the executive board of the Western Wayne County Democratic Club.  She has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Siena Heights University.

Beth Emmitt (R), Kent:  Beth has served as Director of Constituent Relations for Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land since 2003.  Prior to her employment with Secretary Land, she directed a successful political campaign for a current Kent County Commissioner.  Beth is a graduate of Hope College in Holland, Michigan.  She is an active member of her church, a Rotarian and a member of various Republican clubs.  Beth and her husband, Andrew, have two sons, Daniel and Sam.

Jenell Hierholzer (R), Ingham:  Jenellis currently the Policy Director for Representative Kevin Green.  A former resident of Indiana, Jenellmoved to Michigan to attend Verity Institute and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications.  She began interning with the House of Representatives in 2006.  She has managed various House campaigns, worked as an aide to two Representatives, advanced a Presidential Campaign and co-ran a House Leadership Election.  She was the first female recipient of the Frank M. Fitzgerald Public Service award in 2008 and completed her Masters in Public Administration in November of 2009.

Johannah Jelks (D), Kent:  Johannah is currently attending Calvin College and pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Business Communication.  As a young community activist and rising Michigan political leader, she is involved with and serves on the board of several grass roots organizations such as PWA Progressive Women’s Alliance, WMEAC (West Michigan Environmental Council) and Weed & Seed steering committee.  In 2008, she worked for the Obama Campaign and supported State Representative Robert Dean.  She has worked as the Wealthy Heights Community Organizer for East Hills Neighborhood Association and has organized and collaborated in fundraisers for the Grand Rapids Public Schools. 

Kristin Judge (D), Washtenaw:  Kristin is a Washtenaw County Commissioner and Vice Chair of Ways and Means.  She serves on both the National and Michigan Association of Counties Judicial and Public Safety Committee.  Kristin is an active member of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party and President of the Women Progressive Activists.  Kristin has served in various leadership positions in parent organizations and community groups.  She is a former teacher and counselor.

Russell Kavalhuna (D), Kent:  Russell is currently an Assistant United States Attorney with the United States Department of Justice, and a member of the State Bar of Michigan.  He received his J.D. at Thomas Cooley Law School and his Bachelor’s Degree in Science at Western Michigan University.  Russell has an Airline Transport Pilot License and serves as Commissioner for the Michigan Aeronautics Commission.  Russell also volunteers his time to Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Michigan Youth in Government and Child Advocate Training.

Justin Kimpson (D), Wayne:  Justin is a career planner with Detroit Workforce Development Department at Michigan Works Agency.  He has participated in numerous social and community service organizations such as Coleman A. Young Foundation, Youthville Detroit, Morehouse Alumni Association and Fusion (Detroit Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Organization).  In addition, he serves as an executive board member of the English Village Condo Association.  Justin is a graduate of Morehouse College with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.  He also holds a Masters of Education and teaching certificate from Marygrove College.

Michael Leahy (R), Ingham:  Michael is an economist with the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth working on energy issues impacting Michigan.  He is a Gerber Scholar and recent graduate from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts double major in Economics and Political Science.  At MSU, Michael was elected President of the Student Government.  He also founded the Spartan Armed Forces Council to work on behalf of fellow Spartans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.  While attending MSU, Michael worked for the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security.

Garnet Lewis (D), Saginaw:  Garnet is the General Manager for Allicom Investments, LLC based in Freeland, MI.  Garnet’s community involvement includes volunteering for the “Meals on Wheels” program and serving as a member of the Dow Event Center Board, the Saginaw County League of Women Voters and the Michigan Equality Board of Directors.  She was recently appointed to the Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees by Governor Jennifer Granholm and holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Texas.  Garnet recently ran for the Michigan House of Representatives in 2008 and hopes to run again in 2012.

Karen Maurer (R), Washtenaw:  Karen is a co-owner of Maurer Management & Properties, Inc., a company that develops, preserves and manages historic buildings.  Maurer Management has restored over 30 properties in the Ypsilanti area.  Karen serves as a board member of the Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority, the 2020 Taskforce and President of Midtown Neighborhood Association.  Karen has a Bachelor’s Degree in Film and Video Studies from the University of Michigan and also works as a Freelance Film Producer.  Karen has run a mayoral campaign as well as three City County campaigns. 

Ronald McComb (D), Clinton:  Ron is a 24 year veteran with the State of Michigan and has been a long term small business owner during that tenure.  He has previously run for State Representative in the 93rd district in 2006 and 2008.  Ron is heavily involved in his community volunteering for organizations such as the Michigan State Supreme Court Foster Care Review Board Program which Ron oversaw cases in eight Mid-Michigan Counties, Ele’s Place for grieving children, Clinton/Gratiot County Democratic clubs and a variety of sports programs in Clinton County.   Ron is currently an intern with the House of Representatives in Representative Mike Huckleberry's office.

Kevin McCurren (R), Kent:  Kevin has 25+ years of corporate, not-for-profit and entrepreneurial experience.  His executive positions included several hospitals and two national health care providers.  Kevin also started a medical management company, a dental laboratory company and a biotech company.  He is an active angel investor and has provided leadership to numerous not-for-profits and public organizations including venture clubs, churches, small cities and economic development groups.  Kevin holds a BA and MSPH from the University of Missouri.

Kazi Miah (D), Wayne:  Kazi is a small business owner in Hamtramck.  He currently works at National City Bank.  For the last six years he has been running an after-school basketball and tutoring program for minority children in Hamtramck.  He was appointed by the Mayor of Hamtramck to be the Human Relations Commissioner.  He was recently elected as a City Council member and also serves on the Hamtramck Recreation Commission.  Kazi is responsible for organizing numerous city clean-ups.  Kazi is married with two children.

Shenique Moss (D), Eaton:  Shenique is an Assistant Attorney General at the Michigan Department of Attorney General.  She is the Treasurer and Chair of the Student/Lawyer Mentorship Program of the Lansing Black Lawyers Association.   Shenique also serves as the Secretary of the Ingham County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section and is a member of the Volunteer Council of the Detroit Institute of Arts.  She actively participates in several charitable organizations such as the Focus: HOPE and the American Cancer Society, to name a few.   Shenique has worked on State House campaigns and aspires to run for office in the future.

Rory Neuner (D), Ingham:  Rory is the State Network Manager with the Safe Routes to School National Partnership. She has years of experience working at the intersection of transportation, land use, health and sustainability policy, and has been active in local and statewide campaigns to expand sustainable transportation options.  Previously, she worked for the Michigan Environmental Council and at the City of Chicago Mayor’s Office. Rory sits on the board of the League of Michigan Bicyclists and the Ingham County Women’s Commission. She is a graduate of Yale University and holds a Masters Degree in Public Policy from the University of Chicago.

Dennis O’Connor (R), Oakland:  Dennis owns a Novi-based consulting agency which specializes in marketing and training programs.  Prior to that, he served as the News Editor for West Bloomfield Eccentric.  He was elected to a 4-year term as a Trustee on the Novi Board of Education.  Eight weeks after the election, he achieved board member certification through the Michigan Association of School Boards.  Dennis is a University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduate.  He earned his MBA from Wayne State University.

Jan Peabody (R), Lapeer:  Jan is a Medical Nurse Case Manager for GENEX Services, Inc. in Troy, MI.  She has been in the nursing industry for twenty-five years.  She is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a Bachelors of Science degree and Georgia Southwestern University with an Associates Degree in Nursing.  Jan is currently the Chair for the Lapeer County Republican Party annual Lincoln Day Dinner and on the Parent Advisory Committee at Lapeer East High School.  In 2009, she was elected to the Treasurer position with the Lapeer County Republican Party.  Jan hopes to establish a Lapeer County Republican Women’s Group and plans to run for office.  She has worked on two State Representative campaigns.

Adrian “Troy” Rolling (R), Berrien:  Troy has been a Sales Consultant in the automobile industry since May, 2000.  He worked as the County Chairman for Keith Butler for the US Senate campaign in 2006 as well as the Dick DeVos for Governor Campaign that same year.  He was also the State Chairman for the African American Coalition for McCain for President Campaign in 2008.  Troy currently serves as the Grassroots Vice Chairman for the Michigan Republican Party and National Secretary for the Frederick Douglass Foundation.

Amna Seibold (R), Kent:  Amna is Director of the Department of Pathology, Saint Mary’s Health Care in Grand Rapids.  She is currently a City Commissioner in East Grand Rapids, having been reelected for a second term in 2009.  Prior to that, she served on the East Grand Rapids Planning Commission.  Amna is the incoming Board Chairman of Michigan Blood.  She is a graduate of Albion College and received her MHSA from the University of Michigan.

Brad Wever (R), Ingham:  Brad is currently the Legislative Director for State Representative Larry DeShazor .  He previously worked for a lobbying firm on issues in Michigan, Washington DC and around the country.  Brad is a graduate of James Madison College at Michigan State University with a degree in Social Relations.

Jessica Wortley Adler (R), Ingham:  Jessica is Communications Director for State Senator Ron Jelinek.  She is on the Board of Directors for Grand River Connection, a networking organization for Lansing’s young professionals, and serves on advisory boards for WKAR and Ferris State University.  She is active in Relay for Life and is a member of Capital City Ringers, a professional handbell ensemble.  Jessica graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ferris State University where she was a member of the Honors Program.

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