State Rep. Adam Zemke, D-Ann Arbor, has been appointed to the Governor's Talent Investment Board by House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel, D-Auburn Hills.
Zemke said he's honored to be one of two members of the Michigan House of Representatives, and the only Democrat, to sit on the board.
Adam Zemke
Gov. Rick Snyder issued an executive order in December 2011 to create the Talent Investment Board to better focus on job creation and developing and connecting the state's talent.
The 47-member board replaced and streamlined the former Council for Labor and Economic Growth, which had 71 members. The board includes the governor, legislative representatives, department directors and business representatives from across the state.
Zemke's office said the board brings citizen involvement and oversight to the state's talent attraction and retention efforts.
With a majority of its members coming from the business community, the board develops policy recommendations for the governor that guide workforce investment and training.
Zemke, who also serves on the House Appropriations Committee, ties that back to education, which he considers the No. 1 form of economic development.
"Improving our state's education is not only a service to our students; it is one of the best methods for attracting business to the state," he said.
"By working with some of brightest minds in business, I believe that we can create real solutions for our education system and begin to reverse the ill effects of the economic downturn."
Zemke's office can be reached by phone at 517-373-1792 and by email at adamzemke@house.mi.gov. The toll-free number is 855-936-5355.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.