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Saginaw Valley State University

January 4, 2024

Two alumni appointed to SVSU Board of Control

side-by-side portraits of Ron Bacon and Heather Gallegos

Saginaw Valley State University welcomes two new members to its governing board. Today, Thursday, Jan. 4, Gov. Whitmer announced the appointments of Ron Bacon, of East Lansing, and Heather Gallegos, of Essexville, to the SVSU Board of Control. Their terms begin today and expire July 21, 2031. They replace Bhushan Kulkarni and Vicki Rupp, whose terms expired in July.

“Ron and Heather have strong track records of service to their communities and understanding of their alma mater, and we are pleased to see they have accepted this important role,” said George Grant Jr, SVSU president. “We thank Gov. Whitmer and her appointments office for these thoughtful additions to our board.”

Bacon has worked in the biotechnology industry for more than 20 years and is currently employed by Genentech as an area manager. During his career, he has worked in sales and case management for several medical firms, including Syneos Health, The Medicines Company, Baxter and Pfizer. Bacon completed bachelor’s and master’s degrees at SVSU. He recently completed his term as the elected mayor of East Lansing. Bacon currently serves as a commissioner on the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan; in addition, he is a past board member of the East Lansing Educational Foundation and has 20 years of youth football coaching experience.

Gallegos has held a number of roles for Dow during more than 20 years with the company; she currently serves as director of communications and community affairs for North America North at Dow. She completed a bachelor’s degree at SVSU. Extensively involved in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, Gallegos is the immediate past chair of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, the current chair of the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance, and the vice chair of the Delta College Foundation. She also serves on the boards of McLaren Health Care, the Midland Business Alliance, Saginaw Club and TempleArts.

The SVSU Board of Control is composed of eight members who are appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the Michigan Senate. Members serve eight-year terms.