Michigan Political Leadership Program
Steve Tobocman, Co-Director Steve Tobocman is managing partner at New Solutions Group, LLC and currently serves as the Co-Director of the Michigan Foreclosure Task Force, a 200-plus member statewide advocacy organization seeking to help Michigan respond to the foreclosure crisis. In addition, Steve is spearheading the Global Detroit study for the New Economy Initiative and Detroit Regional Chamber, looking at how southeastern Michigan can utilize foreign-born talent and global connections to expand the economy. In 1998, Steve conceived of, created, and served as the executive director of Community Legal Resources, a business law pro bono program to provide free legal services to nonprofit organizations serving low-income communities across Michigan. Community Legal Resources was selected as one of the five leading nonprofit legal services programs in the nation by Power of Attorney in 2001 and Steve was honored with the American Bar Association’s Business Law Public Service Award in 2002. In 2002, Steve became the first person to unseat an incumbent member of the House of Representatives in Michigan since term limits were adopted in the mid-1990s. He served in the Michigan House for three consecutive, two-year terms (the maximum allowed under Michigan’s term limits laws.) He was elected Majority Floor Leader, the second-highest position in the Michigan House, during his third term. He is author of 24 public acts and an important contributor to such initiatives as legislation authorizing Michigan land banks and a statewide housing and community development fund. He played key roles in one of the nation’s toughest immigrant consumer protection laws, rewrote blight laws and helped strengthen protections for low-income tenants against eminent domain. Prior to his election to office, he served a year of service in Americorps and was a founding board member of Community Development Advocates of Detroit and the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan. He earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School and a Masters in Public Policy from U of M’s Ford School of Public Policy. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics earned at the University of Virginia. He is available at steve.tobocman@gmail.com.
Anne Mervenne, Co-Director In addition to her work as Co-director of MPLP, Anne is President of Mervenne & Company, a governmental consulting firm. Previously she served twelve years in the Engler Administration, most recently as a member of the senior management team as Special Advisor to Governor John Engler and Mrs. Engler. In this capacity, she served as a liaison to the White House and Federal Cabinet members for Governor Engler and was responsible for strategic planning with Mrs. Engler concerning her role as First Lady. This included coordinating her extensive activities and public relations. Prior to this appointment, Anne served as the director of the Governor's Southeast Michigan office, as executive director of the Michigan Women's Commission, and as director of appointments for the Governor. As executive director of the Michigan Women's Commission, Anne focused on public policy issues facing women. She is proud of the enactment of new laws during her tenure guaranteeing more protection for victims of domestic violence. As the director of appointments, she was responsible for recommending nominees to Governor Engler to fill several hundred commission and board positions throughout state government. Anne also served as the director of the Governor's Management Intern program (GMI). Anne has been an elected official in her own right. She served as a member of the Ingham County Board of Commissioners for four years. Her public policy experience also includes working in the Michigan State Senate for seven years in a variety of capacities for former State Sen. Doug Cruce. Her volunteer activities include sevice on the Advisory Boards of Focus: HOPE, the Michigan Festivals and Events Association, the Boards of Directors of Sacred Heart Major Seminar Foundation, Angels' Place, the Children's Center and the University of Michigan-Dearborn Institute for Local Government. She was recognized by Habitat for Humanity of Michigan in 2002 as the first recipient of the Bernice R. Bensen Distinguished Service Award. Ms. Mervenne also serves as a commentator on "Michigan Matters," a current events television program on WWJ-TV. Anne earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University's James Madison College in 1982. She is available at anne@mervenne.com.
Linda Cleary, Administrator Linda Cleary is Administrator of the Michigan Political Leadership Program, joining IPPSR in 2009. Prior to joining the MPLP staff, Linda's career focused on the hospitality industry, financial management and securities and marketing and sales. She is a graduate of the State University of New York at Delhi, worked for the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island and most recently worked in securities for a financial investment firm. For the past four years, she has been administrator for the Michigan Political History Society in addition to her other positions. She can be reached at 517-353-0891 or at clearyl@msu.edu. Katherine Cusick, M.A., Program Coordinator Katherine Cusick is Assistant Educational Program Coordinator for the Michigan Political Leadership Program. Ms. Cusick has been with the Institute since 1994. Prior to coming to MPLP, Katherine worked as a Court Investigator with the State of Michigan for eight years and as a Director of Residential Life at Barry University and the University of Detroit Mercy and as Director of the Office for Survey Research's telephone interviewing facility. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor with the State of Michigan. Katherine is available at 517-353-1357 or at cusickk@msu.edu.
IPPSR Staff MPLP Administration