MGCB Executive Director Richard
Kalm
was appointed on May 10, 2007. Kalm has an extensive background
in law enforcement, previously serving as chief of staff for the
Macomb County Sheriff’s Office. Prior to becoming chief of staff, he served
as deputy sheriff, lieutenant, sergeant, corporal, captain and division
commander. Kalm received an associate degree in law enforcement and a
bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University. He is also a graduate of the
Michigan Leadership Academy and the F.B.I. National Academy, Quantico,
Virginia. He is a member of the Southeastern Michigan Chiefs of Police, the
Association of Public Safety Communications Officers, the Michigan
Antiterrorism Task Force and the Detroit Chamber of Commerce Tourism Action
Group.
Jim Plakas
was appointed
by Governor Jennifer Granholm to the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
He succeeds Mr. Damian Kassab, who resigned in December of 2009. Jim Plakas’
term will sexpire on December 31, 2012. Jim Plakas was the mayor of
Garden City for 10 years and a member of the Garden City Council for 17
years. He retired from Ford Motor Company where he was a design engineer.
Jim was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives from District 16 in
2000. Mr. Plakas is a Korean War Veteran and served in the U.S. Army.
He received a mechanical engineering degree from Lawrence Technological
University. Mr. Plakas currently resides in Garden City with his wife.
Judge Benjamin Friedman
was appointed by Gov. Granholm to replace Roman Gribbs when his term
expired. Judge Friedman's term began February 6, 2004, and runs through
December 31, 2011. Judge Friedman, a partner of Friedman & Lichterman,
P.C., was a judge for the 45B District Court, and resides in Huntington Woods.
Barbara Rom was
appointed to a term expiring December 31, 2011. Rom is a partner
of the Detroit Pepper Hamilton, LLP law firm, past-president of the Detroit
Metropolitan Bar Association and has been actively involved with numerous
groups and committees working on a wide range of legal issues and community
service matters. Crain's Detroit Business selected Rom as
one of "Detroit's Most Influential Women." She resides in Bloomfield Hills.
Michael J. Watza of Northville, partner
of Kitch, Druthas, Wagner, Valitutti and Sherwood, is appointed for a term
expiring December 31, 2010. He succeeds the Honorable Michael L.
Stacey whose term has expired.
Kenneth Sanborn was appointed to a term
expiring in 2014. Sanborn of Washington Township is a retired Macomb
Circuit Court judge and Macomb County Probate Court judge. Prior to
his judgeships, Sanborn served as a Republican state representative and
Clinton Township supervisor. He succeeds Michael Watza who resigned in
July of 2010.
