Michigan LCV Board of Directors
Governor William Milliken, Honorary Chair
Mark is currently the President and Managing Partner of The Sam Bernstein Law Firm, PLLC, a leading plaintiff’s trial firm based in Michigan. He serves on the Executive Board of the Michigan Association for Justice. He was elected by both defense and plaintiff attorneys to serve on the State Bar of Michigan Negligence Section Council where he co-edited the Negligence Section newsletter. Mark was recently honored as a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation. He lectures at the University of Michigan Law School and the University of Michigan College of Literature Science and the Arts on tort and civil rights law.
Mark received a B.A. (’93) from the University of Michigan and graduated from the J.D/MBA joint-degree program (’96) between the Law School and School of Business Administration at the University of Michigan.
Mark was appointed by Governor Granholm to the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, as Chairperson of the Commission, and is currently the longest serving member of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission. He also served in the White House during the Clinton Administration as the Director of Press Pool Operations, and worked as an associate in the Real Estate Investment Banking Group with Citigroup Global Markets in New York City.
Mark is very active in the community having served on the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor (Board of Directors), the Isaiah Fund (Trustee), the Jewish Federation of Washtenaw County (Chairperson of the Community Relations Committee), the Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County (Advisory Board), and the University of Michigan Hillel (Governing Board and Board of Trustees). He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Jewish Funds for Justice.
Mark lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan with his family.
Bill retired from Farr Oosterhouse & Krissoff in 2009, but still maintains a small, private practice in Grand Rapids. He is a former President of the Grand Rapids Bar Association, a Fellow of the American Bar Association Foundation, a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation, and a Master of the American Inns of Court. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for the past several years, and received the Michael S. Barnes Award in 2007 for Pro Bono Service. In 2010, Bill received the Donald Worsfold award from the Grand Rapids Bar Association for service to the community and the profession.
Politically, he has served as Chair of the Kent County Republican Party and the 3rd District Republican Party, as a delegate to a Republican National Convention, at which he was one of two persons from Michigan who served on the Platform Committee, and he was the Republican candidate for Attorney General of Michigan in 1970.
He is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Pere Marquette Watershed Council, and has been a member of the Mayor’s Environmental Advisory Council. Also, he has served on several church, community, and business boards over the years, and continues to do so today.
Doug has more than a decade of experience working on sustainability, climate, and energy issues on Capitol HIll, in the academic sphere, and in the private sector including companies such as Swiss RE and Pratt and Whitney. After working as a Senate staffer for Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) in Washington DC from 2000 - 2004, Doug returned to Michigan to complete his graduate studies. In 2007, Doug was one of the contributing authors on a report for the Pew Center on Global Climate Change entiled "Corporate Strategies that Address Climate Change." That same year, he received his masters from the Ross School of Business and School of Natural Resources & Environment as part of the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise at the University of Michigan. He is currently a senior consultant at The Carbon Trust.
Now serving in his second term, George Heartwell became the mayor of Grand Rapids on January 1, 2004. During his tenure, City government has “gone green”, implementing a variety of environmental measures including purchase of renewable resource energy, use of alternative fuels in city vehicles, continued attention to water quality in the Grand River, and widespread implementation of energy conservation measures. In January of 2007 the United Nations recognized Grand Rapids as a “Center of Expertise” in sustainability. In May of 2010 the U.S. Chamber of Commerce honored Grand Rapids with the Sieman’s award for Most Sustainable American Mid-sized City.
Mayor Heartwell has overseen a period of rapid economic development in Grand Rapids, even during an extended downturn in the Michigan economy.
He also serves as President and CEO of Pilgrim Manor Retirement Community.
Mayor Heartwell is married to Susan Heartwell who is the Executive Director of the Student Advancement Foundation. The Heartwells have three children and six grandchildren.
Jerry Jung
Jerry is currently Chairman and founder of Oak Adaptive, Inc. which provides software tailored to Caterpillar dealers. Most recently, he was CEO of Michigan CAT from 1988 to 2011. He graduated from Tulane University in 1975, 1st in class, summa cum laude with honors in economics, and attended Harvard Graduate School of Business in 1976.
Over the years, Jerry has been affiliated with Warren Equipment Company, St. Mary Hospital, the Nature Conservancy (Michigan), and the Michigan Construction Equipment Dealers Association. Currently, he serves as Chair of the Michigan State Transportation Commission.
He is an active supporter of environmental and educational associations including Scenic Michigan, The Nature Conservancy, Michigan Environmental Council, Detroit Public Television, Detroit Science Center, the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and the Wisconsin Historical Society. Jerry also founded in conjunction with the Michigan Colleges Foundation a program that introduces inner city high school students to environmental issues as well as to private college professors, students and campuses.
Jerry is the father of three and currently resides in Birmingham, Michigan with his wife Eve. He enjoys outdoor activities such as gardening, hiking, hunting, fishing, golfing, sailing and skiing.
Chris Kolb
Chris Kolb assumed the presidency of the Michigan Environmental Council in 2009. An environmental champion in the legislature and a veteran of the environmental management field, Kolb was one of the legislature’s most consistent and vigorous defenders of clean water, clean air and public health during his six years as State Representative from the 53rd District. He was instrumental in important environmental legislation, including joint planning commissions, land bank authorities, lead poisoning prevention for children, regulation of dangerous polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs), establishment of a fund to help clean up leaking underground storage tanks, and numerous land use initiatives.
Peter Kotila, Vice President
Born and raised in Detroit, an alumnus of Cass Tech High School and Michigan State University (B.S. 1985), Peter is a true Michigander.
As a member of the Michigan LCV Board since 2010, Peter’s been part of a task force responsible for over hauling the Michigan LCV’s strategic plan and serves on the Marketing and Communications committee. In addition to his Michigan LCV work, Peter has a strong record of involvement and care for Michigan’s natural and cultural resources, both locally and throughout the state.
In 2003, Peter worked on the grassroots level to help pass Ann Arbor Township’s Land Preservation millage that preserves green space by purchasing agricultural development rights. Subsequently serving on the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Board (2004–2008), Peter helped develop and administer the new program, which created a process to preserve and protect farmland and open space in key areas of the township. Peter currently serves as Vice Chair of the Ann Arbor Township Planning Commission (2005-Present) where issues of sustainable development play a key role.
After receiving his master’s degree in Anthropology at the University of Illinois – Chicago in 1990, Peter continued advanced coursework in archaeology at the University of Michigan. As an archaeologist, Peter researched, excavated, and surveyed a number of the State’s historic and prehistoric sites. Investigating the State’s past has taught him to extent to which Michigan’s natural environment can change and the realization that it can be both robust in the face of and at the same time extremely vulnerable to human induced change.
Peter is currently a Senior Business Analyst at Ford Motor Company, where he has worked in a variety of roles, from coding software to driving global sourcing and delivery.
An avid fisherman, recreational hiker, camper, and sailor, Peter has spent his share of time both working in and enjoying Michigan’s outdoors. He lives in Ann Arbor with his wife, Patty Ireland, and their three sons, with whom he shares his love and knowledge of Michigan’s natural resources so they too can become good stewards capable of conserving this state’s natural beauty.
Elizabeth Lykins, President
Elizabeth is an attorney with Welch Law and works exclusively in the area of labor and employment law. Her work includes assisting management with issues related to hiring and firing, wage and hour compliance and negotiations, as well as all aspects of employment law with various government agencies on the local, state and federal levels. She has extensive experience practicing in front of the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, and the state/federal Departments of Labor. Elizabeth is also a trained mediator.
In 1995, Elizabeth received her law degree from Ohio State University, where she served as a top editor for the Law Journal. She graduated from Penn State University with a history/business degree with honors and magna cum laude in 1992. After law school, she practiced labor and employment law with Greenebaum Doll & McDonald, PLLC, a large firm located in Louisville, Kentucky. She then returned home to Grand Rapids, Michigan and joined Miller, Johnson, Snell & Cummiskey, PLC, where she continued her labor and employment law practice.
Elizabeth is very involved in Grand Rapids' vibrant non-profit community. She is a graduate of the Leadership Grand Rapids program and is the immediate past chair of the Board of Directors for Home Repair Services, an organization dedicated to assisting low income homeowners. She is the past Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Home & Building Association of Greater Grand Rapids, where she served as a Board Member for three years and is a long-time chairperson of the Human Resources Task Force. Elizabeth is a past board member for Camp Henry as well as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Hugh Michael Beahan Foundation (which serves St. Andrew's school students), and Social Venture Philanthropy (a Grand Rapids Community Foundation fundraising group). She is also active at Westminster Presbyterian Church and with the West Michigan Center for Arts & Technology (WMCAT) (an organization that engages youth through the arts to keep them in school).
Claudia is a principal at Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels, P.C., where she specializes in Business, Technology and Environmental law. Prior to joining Pear Sperling in 2001, Claudia was a Member at Dickinson Wright PLLC, where she served as the Director of Dickinson’s eBusiness Group (1998-2001) and Manager of its Environmental Practice Group (1997-1998).
Claudia is a member of the Michigan Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) Technology Training Advisory Board and was the chair of the IT Forum Committee for the Ann Arbor IT Zone (2002-03). From 1994-99 she served as a Council Member for the Environmental Law Section of the Michigan Bar Association; from 1998 99, she was a member of the Task Force on eBusiness for the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), she is a member of the Advisory Board of the Michigan Council of Women in Technology (2002- ), and as a member of the ABA Section on Environment, Energy, and Resources, she has Chaired the International Environmental Law Committee and the Technology Committee, served as a member of Council (1998-2000), as Secretary of the Section (2003-2005), as the Vice Chair of the Section (2006-2007) and in 2006 she was elected to become Chair of the Section for 2008-2009.
Phil is an expert on innovation and branding, a successful entrepreneur, and a consultant to a wide range of for-profit and non-profit organizations. Currently, he is CEO of Rooster Works LLC, an organization focused on promoting environmental sustainability and economic revitalization for Michigan and the Great Lakes region. Formerly, he was the Managing Director of GfK Strategic Innovation, the practice area formed by the acquisition of Arbor Strategy Group (ASG) by GfK Group, a leading global marketing research and consulting firm. Phil founded ASG in 1998, creating a consultancy with recognized expertise in strategic brand innovation and a model for predicting and developing tomorrow’s successful innovation. Prior to ASG, Phil was Chief Marketing Officer for Frank’s Nursery & Crafts (a leading lawn and garden retailer), Senior VP Marketing for Little Caesars Pizza, President of Delicious/Frookie snack company, and Managing Director of Marketing Corporation of America’s consumer industry consulting practice. Phil started his career in brand management with the Quaker Oats Company.
Phil currently serves on a variety of boards, including the Michigan Environmental Council, Arbor Research Collaborative for Health, and CTI Industries (a publicly-traded company) – as well as in advisory capacities for a variety of other organizations.
Phil earned a BBA from the University of Michigan and a MBA from Harvard. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.
Mark received a B.A (’84) from Albion College where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, and two M.A’s: one in Public Administration (’87) from Western Michigan University and the other in Political Science (’94) from Michigan State University. He has worked as an Urban Planner in Marshall, MI, was executive director of the Community Action Agency of South Central Michigan in Battle Creek MI, and was a coordinator for Calhoun County Human Services Coordinating Council, also in Battle Creek, MI. Mark has served as a Michigan State Representative in the 62nd District, a Michigan State Senator in the 19th District, and a member of Congress in Michigan's 7th District.
Mark has made a significant community impact. As a member of Congress, Mark held federal agencies accountable for the emergency response and cleanup of Talmadge Creek and the Kalamazoo river, passed legislation to require timely industry reporting of hazardous liquid spills, and facilitated regional progress to secure support for the Detroit-Chicago high-speed rail project. He has been a long supporter of early childhood development in Calhoun County, MI, where he facilitated the development of Calhoun County Communities in Schools, an initiative focused on Kindergarten readiness, and established teams to meet the needs of high-risk children and families. Mark was also a founding Board Member of the Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Battle Creek, MI.
A longtime resident of Battle Creek, Joe is a dedicated physician and public servant. With a medical degree from Wayne State University, Joe has practiced otolaryngological medicine (ear, nose, and throat) in his home town since 1974. Elected to the State Senate in 1987, Joe served in the Michigan Legislature until 2002. In 2004, Schwarz was elected to represent the seventh district of Michigan in the U.S. Congress. Schwarz is a member of The Republican Majority For Choice, Republicans for Choice and Republicans for Environmental Protection. In January 2007, Schwarz was appointed to Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s Emergency Financial Advisory Panel.
Dr. Sinha is a Vice President at Environmental Consulting & Technology (ECT), Inc. a natural resource management and environmental engineering consulting firm, and brings significant public and private sector experience in a wide variety of program and project design, development, management and implementation relevant to the management of natural resources. His recent work includes developing targets to delist nearly a third of the Areas of Concern located within United States, assisting the Great Lakes Habitat and Species Workgroup of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration with improving the efficiency of restoration/conservation of the basin’s habitat and species, leading the development of economic performance indicators to assess impacts of changing Great Lakes water levels, and assisting with the development of Great Lakes Fishery & Ecosystem Restoration Plan which is a $100 Million authorization of the United States Congress.
Aside from his affiliations with MLCV and ECT, Dr. Sinha also serves on the Board of Advisors of Augment Ventures, a Michigan-based Venture Capital company that invests in high caliber and passionate entrepreneurial teams with breakthrough products in CleanTech and alternative energy sectors for global markets. Previously, Dr. Sinha was a Management Consultant at Booz & Company, a top-tier corporate strategy consulting company that delivers business strategy related consulting services to Fortune-500 companies.
He has over 70 papers, journal articles, book chapters, presentations and other publications to his credit.
Mark is an architect and urban planner with degrees from the University of Michigan. He has worked advocating sustainable design and green development with several organizations, and with Chinese development issues, design for the elderly, business planning and finance, and development economics.
Bruce is Hooper Hathaway Beuche and Wallace’s senior litigator. Hooper Hathaway’s litigation department, which Bruce has built over the past 30 years, comprises the majority of the firm’s attorneys, each of whom have extensive experience in major litigation throughout the United States. Under Bruce’s leadership, the litigation department emphasizes aggressive strategies to win prompt disposition of difficult disputes and creative use of alternative techniques, including arbitration, mediation and facilitation where appropriate, with the goal of reaching the most economical result by the most expedited available measures. Bruce has obtained successful trial results in lawsuits spanning contract disputes, employment, securities, trade secrets, environmental protection, personal injury, defamation, unfair competition, antitrust, banking, uniform commercial code, class actions, and complex commercial and business tort lawsuits. As prevailing counsel in numerous summary judgment and appellate decisions and as general counsel to a variety of corporate and non-profit clients, Bruce’s roles as litigator and counselor involve many different industries and public and private entities throughout southeastern Michigan and elsewhere. Bruce is the author of numerous articles on various legal topics, as well as books on environmental litigation and discovery practice, and is a frequent lecturer at the University of Michigan, Wayne State and other law schools. Bruce is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
