Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointments of Lisa Fittante of Kingsford, Alexis Hart of Royal Oak and James Haveman of Grand Haven to the Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees.

The eight-member board is the governing body of the university.

“I thank this group of individuals for their commitment to serving on this board and serving the university community,” Snyder said.

NMU President Fritz Erickson added, “We're pleased to welcome these new trustees to our board. They are excellent additions who bring with them important perspectives and expertise. Northern has a well-functioning, cohesive board and we look forward to having Ms. Fittante, Ms. Hart and Mr. Haveman join us in the board's work."

Fittante is the president of Fittante & Colenso CPA PC. She is a member of Dickinson Area Partnership and the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants. Fittante holds an associate’s degree in accounting from Lansing Community College and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Northern Michigan University. She will replace L. Garnet Lewis.

“I am very excited and honored to have this opportunity to serve NMU and its students and also the Upper Peninsula,” Fittante said. “As a proud Northern graduate, I am grateful and mindful that NMU gave me the education and direction that has served as a foundation for me personally and professionally.  I am humbled and appreciative that Governor Snyder has entrusted me with this appointment, which I intend to use to work cooperatively with all of the university’s stakeholders to keep Northern moving forward to fulfill its mission.”

Hart is the director of NAFTA and Human Resources Shared Services for Daimler AG. She previously held positions at Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, Daimler Chrysler Financial Services, and the Chrysler Corporation. Hart holds a bachelor’s degree in human resources from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in industrial relations from Wayne State University. She will replace H. Sook Wilkinson.

“I am honored to be selected and to have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Trustees for NMU," Hart said. "I am excited to be involved with this wonderful university, and to work with this outstanding board, administration, faculty, staff and students. I know several people from Northern Michigan University and am aware of the tremendous education the university provides.”

Haveman is president of the Haveman Group. He was director of the Michigan Department of Community Health and is currently a trustee of the Grand Rapids Public Museum Foundation Board. He is also a board member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation and the Institute of Healthcare Policy and Innovation National Advisory Board for the University of Michigan. Haveman holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting, economics, and sociology from Calvin College and a master’s degree in social work from Michigan State University. He will fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Thomas Zurbuchen.

“It's an honor and privilege to be appointed to the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University,” Haveman said. “I look forward to working with the total NMU community to listen, learn and contribute in a manner that represents the mission and values of the university. I also want to assist NMU as it contributes to the economic revitalization of the Upper Peninsula.”

“We welcome these excellent appointments for filling out the board membership and look forward to their contributions to meeting the challenges and opportunities we face in the coming years,” said Scott Holman, chair of the NMU Board of Trustees.

Fittante and Hart will serve eight-year terms expiring Dec. 31, 2024, and Haveman will serve the remainder of an eight-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2020. Their appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.