Contact:
Jessica Weirauch
Michigan Municipal League
jweirauch@mml.org, 734-669-6311

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 3, 2025

LANSING, MI – The Michigan Municipal League honored the Elected Officials Academy (EOA) 2025 Graduates on March 19 at the League’s Capital Conference in Lansing. 

The EOA is an ongoing four-level program that educates and recognizes elected officials across the state for their dedication to becoming as professional and knowledgeable as possible in the role of public servant. The voluntary program was created in 1997 by a board of elected officials working with League staff. 

“It was exciting to see how many people advanced through their levels this year,” said Dennis Hennen, Councilmember from Berkley and President of the Elected Officials Academy Advisory Board. “I think we even had a record number of people at Level One. It’s so promising to see our elected officials taking their roles seriously, learning and improving themselves so they can be better for their community and for their state.” 

Level One graduates receive the Education Award, which requires 25 academy credits. This year’s recipients are:  

• Mohammed Alsomiri, City of Hamtramck 

• Joshua Atwood, City of Lapeer 

• Emily Bauman, City of Westland  

• Joseph Chin, City of Charlotte  

• Robert Clark, City of Monroe 

• Priscilla Garcia, City of Saginaw  

• Mykale Garrett, City of Lathrup Village  

• Yolanda Haynes, City of Southfield 

• Amanda Herzog, City of Royal Oak  

• Josh Kofflin, City of Milan 

• Monique Lamar-Silvia, City of Saginaw  

• Michelle LaVoy, City of Monroe 

• Amy Perschbacher, City of Mount Pleasant 

• Judy Priestley, City of Flint 

• Khalil Refai, City of Hamtramck  

• Jim Salzwedel, City of Lowell 

• George Sleeper, City of South Haven 

• Tim Steenstra, City of Grandville 

• Norman Taylor, City of Wayland 

• Brook Thomas, City of St. Joseph 

• Jessica Vilani, City of Berkley 

• Regina Williams, City of Harper Woods 

Level Two graduates receive the Leadership Award, which requires 55 academy credits. This year’s recipients are:  

• Christina DeMoore, City of Petoskey 

• Pam Howd, City of Linden 

Level Three graduates receive the Governance Award, which requires 100 academy credits. This year’s recipients are:  

• Anita Ashford, City of Port Huron 

• Brian Boggs, City of Durand 

• Brad Dick, City of Linden 

• Ivery Toussant, City of Harper Woods 

Level Four graduates receive the Ambassador Award, which requires 150 academy credits. There are four recipients this year:  

• Beverly Hills Councilmember Rock Abboud 

• Saline Mayor Pro Tem Janet Dillon 

• St. Johns Commissioner Eric Hufnagel 

• Saginaw Councilmember William Ostash 

“I’d like to congratulate the 2025 graduates of the Elected Officials Academy,” said Emily Kieliszewski, Assistant Director, Member Experience and Learning at the League. “Their dedication to ongoing education and professional development exemplifies excellence in public service. The League is pleased to recognize these elected officials for their efforts to better serve their communities and enhance local leadership.” 

Michigan Municipal League is dedicated to making Michigan’s communities better by thoughtfully innovating programs, energetically connecting ideas and people, actively serving members with resources and services, and passionately inspiring positive change for Michigan’s greatest centers of potential: its communities. The League advocates on behalf of its member communities in Lansing, Washington, D.C., and the courts; provides educational opportunities for elected and appointed municipal officials; and assists municipal leaders in administering services to their communities through League programs and services. Learn more at mml.org. 

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