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Home My WebLink AboutReports - 2023.12.07 - 40874December 7, 2023 COMMITTEE REPORT TO BOARD RESOLUTION #2023-3607 Parks & Recreation Commission Appointments - Andrea LaFontaine Sponsored By: Chair, the Board of Commissioners recommends the following Board action: reappoint Andrea LaFontaine to the Parks & Recreation Commission for a 3-year term beginning January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2026. COMMITTEE TRACKING 2023-11-28 Legislative Affairs & Government Operations - Recommend to Board the reappointment of Andrea LaFontaine. 2023-12-07 Full Board - Reappoint Andrea LaFontaine Motioned by: Commissioner Brendan Johnson Seconded by: Commissioner Karen Joliat Yes: David Woodward, Michael Spisz, Michael Gingell, Penny Luebs, Karen Joliat, Kristen Nelson, Christine Long, Robert Hoffman, Philip Weipert, Gwen Markham, Angela Powell, Marcia Gershenson, William Miller III, Yolanda Smith Charles, Charles Cavell, Brendan Johnson, Ajay Raman, Ann Erickson Gault (18) No: None (0) Abstain: None (0) Absent: (0) Passed ATTACHMENTS 1.Andrea LaFontaine - AppResume Parks and Recreation Commission Application Submitted on: 10/09/2023 07:18:12 PM Please Provide Information for your Home/Legal Residence First Name Andrea Last Name LaFontaine Address Line 1: Address Line 2: City ZIP Code Primary Phone Type cell Email Address How long have you been a resident of Oakland County? 7 years Board/Committee/Commission Board/Committee/Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Are you applying for reappointment? Yes Previous Term Dates Jan 2019 - present (2 terms) Explain why you would like to serve on this Board/Committee/Commission I love Oakland County, especially its people and its parks. It's truly been a privilege to serve on this commission since 2019, and with each year my knowledge, understanding and appreciation for of our county parks continue to grow. I am passionate about Michigan's natural resources and the outdoor recreational amenities we are blessed with in Oakland County. I want to continue to see our parks thrive, evolve, and continue to live up to the supreme reputation they hold statewide-and I would be honored it granted the opportunity to remain a part of this commission. Have you previously served on a Board/Committee/Commission? Yes Please list which Board/Committee/Commission and the Corresponding Term Dates -House of Representatives legislative policy committees 2011-2016 (Natural Resources (chairperson for 4 years), Agriculture, Local Government, Judiciary, Regulatory Reform, Insurance, Financial Liability Reform, Energy, Government Operations) -6 Rivers Land Conservancy - Board of Directors & Executive Committee- 2017 - present -Kadima Mental Heath Services - Board of Directors 2017 - 2021 -Heart of the Lakes - Board of Directors & Executive Committee 2018 - present -MDNR SPARK Advisory Committee - 2022-2023 -SEMCOG - GREEN TaskForce & Healthy Climate Task Force - 2023 Please detail any prior work-related or community service experience and skills that may contribute to the position you are seeking: In my current role and former roles, I had the opportunity to experience and volunteer in numerous capacities relating to the outdoors and recreation. I'm familiar with committee processes and procedures, and I am also familiar with the boots-on-the-ground work that makes recreational opportunities possible. I've participated seasonal park clean-ups, habitat restoration initiatives, park open- houses, budgetary hearings, and strategic planning meetings. Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, or were you dishonorably discharged from the military? Convictions or dishonorable discharge will not be an automatic bar to appointment. All circumstances will be considered. No Have you ever been named a party in one or more civil lawsuits? No Education High School Name or GED Richmond High School City/State Richmond, MI College/Technical Central Michigan University City/State Mount Pleasant, MI Degree(s) received Bachelor of Science, Master of Public Administration Employment Employer Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance Address 503 Mall Ct. Box 282, Lansing MI 48912 Position Title Executive Director Dates of Employment 2019-present Duties Manage daily operations of MTGA organization and staff. Oversee the cultivation and communication of MTGA Board and membership. Provide technical assistance, resources and coordincation on trails acquisition, development and maintenance statewide. •Convene stakeholders to pursue solutions to trail challenges and opportunites •Represent the non-motorized trail community to federal, state and local officials •Nurture fund development, deliver public presentations, coordinate events References Contact #1 Ann Conklin / Retired director of mParks Contact #2 Keith Creagh / Retired MDNR Director Contact #3 Amy O'Leary / Director of SEMCOG Applicant's Signature Andrea M. LaFontaine LaFontaine Resume 10.23.pdf (581Kb.) E D U C A T I O N MPA, BS Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 2011 & 2009 Certificate, Non-profit Management Oakland University Auburn Hills, MI 2019 P R O F E S S I O N A L E X P E R I E N C E EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance | Lansing, MI | 2019 – Present Manage daily operations of MTGA organization and staff. Oversee the cultivation and communication of MTGA Board and membership. Provide technical assistance, resources and coordincation on trails acquisition, development and maintenance statewide. •Convene stakeholders to pursue solutions to trail challenges and opportunites •Represent the non-motorized trail community to federal, state and local officials •Nurture fund development, deliver public presentations, coordinate events IBT SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR MI Dept. of Natural Resources | Detroit, MI | 2018 Acted as the Iron Belle Trail project lead within the MDNR’s Executive Division, acting as the intermediary between agency, private funders, and public interest groups •Facilitated the coordination of investments in metro-region trail networks •Advised MDNR Direcctor on opportunities for collaboration •Engaged local artists and investors for the development of Belle Isle trailhead SPECIAL ADVISOR SE MI MI Dept. of Natural Resources | Detroit, MI | 2017 – 2018 Served as an advisor to the Director Creagh and the Executive Division regarding department initiatives in Southeast Michigan, particularly in Detroit. •Guided economic devlopment initatives across multiple government agencies. •Built and fostered relationships with local municipalities in Southeast Michigan. •Established and incorporated “Friends of the Outdoor Adventure Center” 501c.3 STATE REPRESENTATIVE MI House of Representatives | Lansing, MI | 2011 – 2016 Elected to represent 90,000 constituents in the Michigan House of Representatives, serving residents in Macomb and St. Clair Counties for 3 consecutive terms.. •Chaired the Natural Resources Policy committee for four years. •Facilitated workgroups and brokered negotiations between multiple stakeholders. •Planned and participated in 100+ public meetings and speaking engagements. P R O F I L E Fifteen years combined experience with State, County, and Local government as: State Representative, parks and recreation commissioner, and district representative. Six years of Nonprofit involvement serving on multiple boards, and developing fundraising and strategic plans. S K I L L S PROFESSIONAL Community Organizing Advocacy Public speaking Media Relations Critical Thinking Strategic Planning TECHNICAL Microsoft Office Suite Outlook Facebook/Instagram Eventbrite Canva A N D R E A L A F O N T A I N E E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R I N T E R E S T S Outdoor Recreation Natural Resources Conservation State & Local Government Public Policy E X T R A C U R R I C U L A R A C T I V I T I E S Board Member Heart of the Lakes | Bay City, MI | 2018 – Present Commissioner Oakland County Parks and Recreation | Waterford, MI | 2018 – Present Board Member Six Rivers Land Conservancy | Rochester, MI | 2017 – Present Board Member Kadima Mental Health Services | Southfield, MI | 2017 – 2021