Fred Miller–President
Miller serves as the President to the board of MCEP. Fred Miller has served the people of Macomb County at the federal, state, and local levels, and is currently a County Commissioner for District 9, which includes Mount Clemens, Harrison Township, and part of Clinton Township.
He was elected by his fellow Commissioners to serve as the Board’s Sergeant-at-Arms, and in addition to serving as the ViceChair of the Finance Committee, Miller sits on the Economic Development, Board Operations, Courts & Clerk/Register of Deeds, and Health and Human Services committees. Serving as State Representative from 2005 to 2010, Miller saw 12 of his bills signed into law. He developed the “Hire Michigan First” job creation plan to make certain that when taxpayer dollars are used for economic development, Michigan residents and businesses see the benefit first.
Miller is a member of the Macomb County NAACP, and each year co-hosts a charity pancake breakfast to raise money and food for the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #154 Veterans Support Center in Roseville, Michigan. A graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College, Miller worked as an aide to U.S. Senator Carl Levin, Congressman David Bonior and State Senator Ken DeBeaussaert in both Washington, D.C. and Michigan.
Fred and his wife, Jennifer, are homeowners in Mount Clemens. They have two daughters, Olivia Kaye and Audrie Jean.
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Julie Matuzak–Vice President and Treasurer
Julie Matuzak serves as a board member to MCEP.
Julie is the Political Coordinator and Editor for AFT Michigan, AFT, AFL-CIO. AFT Michigan is a statewide union of 98 locals and approximately 30,000 members working for Head Start, K-12 and intermediate school districts, community colleges, and universities. Julie has been with the union since 1997.
As Political Coordinator, Julie works to involve the membership in political activity including issue and candidate campaigns, and assists locals with internal and community organizing campaigns. She also works closely with the Michigan and Metropolitan Detroit AFL-CIO’s to coordinate political activity among the affiliate unions. Julie has participated in political campaigns at all levels from School Board to the White House, including statewide ballot initiatives. Julie also serves AFT Michigan as Editor and manages internal communication with the membership including the newsletter, web page, e-mail list serves, social media and issue brochures and flyers. Julie is a member of the AFT-Communicators Network (AFTCN) and the International Labor Communications Association. Prior to joining the AFT Michigan Julie worked in the political operation of U.S. Rep. David Bonior (D-MI) and was an organizer with various community groups.
Julie has a B.A. in Policy Studies from Grand Valley State University and is the mother to one daughter, Allie, age 16.
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Ed Bruley–Secretary
Mr. Edward Bruley serves as the Secretary of the Board of the MCEP. This nonprofit group acts as an organizer and clearing house for relationship initiatives between governments, business and education organizations in Macomb County and the People’s Republic of China.
Bruley was a principal staff member for a Member of the United States Congress for 25 years. Bruley also has served as a Macomb County Commissioner having been elected in 2006 and 2008. His last two years on the Board of Commissioners were spent as Co-Chair of the Planning and Economic Development Committee. Presently Mr. Bruley is an elected Member of the Mount Clemens School Board. Bruley received his B.Ph. from Grand Valley State University and his M.A. in Political Science from the University of Windsor in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
Bruley now devotes his time in full to MCEP. He meets with local and international groups to bring businesses, school groups, and cultural demonstrations to Michigan. He also frequently travels to China, Germany, and other international destinations in an effort to organize groups to travel to Michigan, furthering MCEP’s goal of economic development.
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David Flynn–Board Member
David Flynn serves as a board member to MCEP. Commissioner David Flynn was re-elected in November 2012 to serve his fourth term on the Macomb County Board of Commissioners, representing half the city of Sterling Heights. Flynn has worked in the offices of U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and State Sen. Michael Switalski (D-Roseville), as well as the Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development. During his time on the Board, Flynn has chaired the Education and Training Committee, and Co-Chaired the Economic Development Committee, while serving on numerous others. Flynn was the Executive Director of Charter = County Executive, which collected 35,000 signatures to establish a county executive form of government with a reduced number of commissioners. In addition, Flynn has forged partnerships with leaders from Wayne State and Oakland universities to establish satellite campuses located in Macomb County.
Flynn’s community involvement is wide-ranging, and includes work as a coordinator for Green Michigan, a non-profit environmental group that promotes community recycling efforts. Flynn also participates in the City of Sterling Heights’ Adopt-A-Road program, where he helps clean a two-mile stretch of Ryan Road between 14 and 16 Mile roads.
Flynn is a lifelong resident of Sterling Heights, and a graduate of Sterling Heights High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Michigan State University.
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Barbara VanSweden – Board Member
Barbara VanSweden was appointed the Superintendent of Fitzgerald Public Schools in 2009. Prior to becoming Superintendent, she served as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in the district for four years. Barbara holds a Bachelors and Masters Degree from the University of Michigan and an Education Specialist Degree in School Administration from Oakland University. She has held teaching, leadership and administrative positions in Wayne and Macomb Counties for over 30 years. Throughout her career as an educator, Barbara has served as an advocate for children and families. She remains committed to making decisions that support the academic growth of all students.
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Erik Edoff – Board Member
Erik Edoff is currently the Senior Director for Instructional Programs at the Frederick V. Pankow Center in L’Anse Creuse School District. The Pankow Center provides three programs for students: Performing Arts; Mathematics, Science and Technology Center, and Career Technical Education Programs. Approximately 1500 students attend the Pankow Center for a portion of the school day.
Prior to Senior Director at the Pankow Center, Mr. Edoff was an Associate Principal at L’Anse Creuse Middle School – East (MSE). Middle School – East is the largest middle school in L’Anse Creuse with a student population of approximately 735 students. He has and continues to chair the K-12 Science Curriculum Committee.
Currently, Mr. Edoff is active with the National and State Associations of Secondary School Principals and the Macomb County MAC Principals Association. Mr. Edoff received his Bachelors Degree from Kalamazoo College, Masters Degree from Michigan State University, and is currently enrolled in an Education Specialist Degree at Oakland University.