Board of Trustees to welcome one reappointee, one new member

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has appointed two individuals to serve eight-year terms on the Oakland University Board of Trustees effective on August 29, 2024. David Kramer is a re-appointee and Melanie Brown will serve on the board in her first term.

David Kramer, of Birmingham, is the founding principal of Gemini Risk Partners. He previously served as senior vice president of Oswald Companies and as vice president of Alliant. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor degree from George Washington University. Kramer is the president of Hebrew Free Loan of Metropolitan Detroit and a board member with the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and the Detroit Jewish News Foundation. His term on the OU Board will expire on August 11, 2032.

Melanie Brown, of Farmington Hills, is the State Executive Ombudsman for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. An experienced public service professional, she has served as deputy chief of staff in the Whitmer Administration, deputy director of the Department of Talent and Economic Development and deputy director for Southeast Michigan in the Granholm Administration. In addition, she has held leadership positions in multiple state departments, including Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Civil Rights, and Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. Brown is appointed for a term commencing August 29, 2024, and expiring August 11, 2032. She succeeds Robert Schostak, whose term has expired.

The Board of Trustees governs and provides general supervision of the university, including control and direction of all expenditures from the institution's funds. The Board also appoints the university president, as well as the secretary to the board and treasurer.

These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.