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Bowler to
Judge's Bench; Udow to Head FIA
Bowler Accepts Ionia County Judgeship, Resigns as FIA Director;
Governor Names BCBSM VP Marianne Udow New Director.
News Release from Governor's Office, December 10, 2003;
Forwarded by
Lynne Martinez, Children's Ombudsman;
Contact:
Heidi Hansen at 517-335-6397 for information about this press
release.
For more articles like this
visit
http://www.bridges4kids.org.
LANSING -
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that Family
Independence Agency (FIA) Director Nannette Bowler has accepted
an appointment to the Ionia County Probate Court and will be
resigning her post with FIA effective December 19, 2003. Bowler
will fill a vacancy on the court created by the retirement of
Judge Gerald Supina earlier this year.
"This is a great opportunity for Nannette and a win not just for
the kids and families of Ionia County, but for all of Michigan,"
said Granholm. "Nannette has worked tirelessly throughout her
career to protect our most vulnerable citizens. Her impassioned
advocacy for the rights of children, families, and persons with
mental illness will make her a wonderful addition to the bench."
Granholm announced that Marianne Udow, currently senior vice
president of Health Care Products and Provider Services for Blue
Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM), will succeed Bowler as
the new FIA director. Udow will be taking a leave of absence
from BCBSM to assume her new position.
"Marianne's extensive experience and her commitment to the
improvement of women's and children's lives make her an ideal
candidate to lead the Department of Human Services," said
Granholm. "She is a dedicated advocate for the physical, mental,
and emotional health of our children and a champion for the
cause of early-childhood education. I am thrilled to have her
join our team and know she will continue to focus on
strengthening families and improving services for our children."
Prior to joining the Blues in 1988, Udow was senior vice
president of the Planning and Operations Division at Mercy
Alternative Health Systems and was executive director of Care
Choices. She has a master's degree in health services
administration from the University of Michigan School of Public
Policy.
Udow is currently chair of the Michigan Women's Foundation and
past chair of the executive council of the Ready to
Succeed initiative whose goal is to increase public awareness of
the importance of quality early-childhood education and care.
She is a member and former chair of Michigan Children's board of
directors, an independent, citizen-based child advocacy
organization.
In 2000, Udow was honored by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
with its Women of Achievement Award for making a difference in
the community and exemplifying the philosophy of ADL of
promoting greater understanding among diverse communities. In
2002, she was selected by Crain's Detroit Business as one of
"Detroit's 100 Most Influential Women."
Marianne Udow will assume the role of FIA Director on January
12, 2004. Until that time, Musette Michael will act as the
interim director. Michael is currently the director of FIA
Bureau of Legal Affairs, a position to which she was appointed
by Director Bowler in January of 2003. An attorney with a
background in children's social services, Michael served as an
assistant attorney general under both Frank J. Kelley and
Jennifer Granholm. She served as the Attorney General's legal
division coordinator for two years before accepting her current
position at FIA.
During her tenure as FIA director, Bowler coordinated with
county friends of the court and prosecuting attorneys to help
finalize the statewide implementation of Michigan's Child
Support Enforcement System and achieve necessary federal
certification. In addition, Bowler oversaw the establishment of
19 school-based Family Resource Centers that provide family
services in a community-based, one-stop-shopping approach. This
initiative was part of Governor Granholm's Children's Action
Network.
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