Current Board Members

Ron Bacon

Term Expires: 07/21/2031

Ron Bacon, of East Lansing, is a therapeutic area sales manager for Genentech, a biotechnology and pharmaceutical company. He is also the former mayor of East Lansing. He has a long history in sales, and case management for other medical firms, including Syneos, The Medicines Company, Baxter Bioscience, and Pfizer. He is also a board member of the MLK Commission of Mid-Michigan and the Nonprofit Network of Jackson. Bacon holds a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice and sociology and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Saginaw Valley State University.

John D. Cherry, Jr.
Secretary

Term Expires: 07/21/2027

Lt. Governor John D. Cherry is the 62nd Lt. Governor of the State of Michigan and a seasoned leader who has successfully worked to ensure that state government is efficient and shares Michigan's priorities. He has more than 20 years of service in the Michigan Legislature as a State Representative, State Senator and Minority Leader. Cherry has received many awards and honors and was named the 2005 Conservationist of the Year by the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC). He also served as a gubernatorial appointee to the Midwest Higher Education Compact and was a past chair of the International Great Lakes Commission. As a legislator, Cherry focused on the issues that were most important to Michigan citizens - families, the quality of life in Michigan, the environment and Michigan's great outdoors. He has authored and co-sponsored several milestone Michigan laws dealing with workers' rights, environmental protection and conservation. Cherry received a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan in 1973 and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Michigan, Flint in 1984. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Saginaw Valley State University and an Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from Central Michigan University. Education: University of Michigan, B.A., 1973; University of Michigan- Flint, MPA, 1984; Saginaw Valley State University, Honorary Law Degree; Central Michigan University, Honorary Doctor of Public Service.

JoAnn T. Crary

Term Expires: 07/21/2025

JoAnn Crary is the President of Saginaw Future, a non-profit economic development organization. She has held that position since 1993. Crary completed her undergraduate degree from Ferris State University and has a Master's degree from Central Michigan University. She is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), a graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute and is a certified Economic Development Finance Professional. She was recently awarded the Fellow Member and Honorary Life Member designations by the International Economic Development Council. Crary is a member of the MEDC Collaborative Development Council, an advisory group representing the 10 economic development regions in Michigan. She was the 2015 Chair of the 5000 member International Economic Development Council’s Board of Directors and is a member of the Committee for Professional Conduct and the Economic Development Research Partners. In 2016, Michigan’s Governor Rick Snyder appointed JoAnn to serve on the 21st Century Economy Commission to help recommend a vision for Michigan’s economic future. JoAnn serves on many local boards and commissions including the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, Dow Chemical Community Advisory Panel, City of Saginaw Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Huntington Bank Market Area Board and Saginaw Valley State University Board of Fellows.

Lindsay S. Eggers
Vice Chair

Term Expires: 07/21/2025

Lindsay Stevens Eggers serves as the President and COO for Stevens Group, Inc., a nationwide family-owned moving & storage company that’s been doing business for more than 110 years. Prior to her current role, she served as the Vice President of Finance at Stevens. As a key leader since 2009, Lindsay leads her team to act with accountability, focus and excellence. Previous to her career at Stevens, Lindsay worked at Accenture Consulting, specializing in PeopleSoft Financial Software Implementations. She holds a Master’s of Business Administration Degree from Ross School of Business and Bachelor of Science Business Administration Degree (graduating Summa Cum Laude) from the University of Colorado. She currently serves as President and COO for the Stevens Group, Inc. Board of Directors, a Saginaw Advisory Board member for Chemical Bank, a Board member of the Michigan State Chamber of Commerce, a Board Member for the READ Association of Saginaw, Trustee for the Bay Area Community Foundation, member of the Bay Area Community Foundation Women’s Philanthropy Circle, serves as the Treasurer for Linwood Beach Association and volunteers as a Sunday School teacher for Church of The Hills in Bellaire, Michigan. Lindsay was previously the Junior and Senior High School Youth Group Director at First Presbyterian Church served as a Board and Finance Committee Member for the YMCA, was Chairman of the Next Generation Affinity Group for the Stevens Center for Family Business and was Chairman of the READ Association of Saginaw.

Heather Gallegos

Term Expires: 07/21/2031

Heather Gallegos, of Essexville, is the director of North America North Communications and Community Relations for The Dow Chemical Company. She serves on the boards of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, where she serves as immediate past chair, Delta College Foundation, where she serves as vice chair, Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance, where she serves as chair, McLaren Bay Region Hospital, Midland Business Alliance, Saginaw Club, Saginaw Valley State University Board of Fellows, and a trustee at Russel & Maxine Smith Charitable Trust. At the state level, she has recently joined the McLaren Health Care Corporation Board of Directors and the Business Leaders for Michigan Marketing Peer Group. Gallegos holds an associate degree in liberal arts from Delta College and a Bachelor of Science in sociology from Saginaw Valley State University.

Vanessa Guerra
Treasurer

Term Expires: 07/21/2029

Vanessa Guerra, of Saginaw, currently serves as the Saginaw County Clerk. She previously served as the State Representative for the 95th House District and as a trustee with Bridgeport Charter Township. Ms. Guerra holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Studies and Latino Studies from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She is a member of the Michigan Association of County Clerks, YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region Board, and Saginaw TempleArts Board.

Rajkumari M Wiener
Board Chair

Term Expires: 07/21/2027

Rajkumari “Raj” M Wiener is the founder of RWC Advocacy—a governmental affairs law firm. Prior to starting the firm, she served as Director of the Michigan Department of Public Health overseeing health policy, local health departments, human water supply, air, food and work environment quality. She was the Chief of the Bureau of Health Facilities regulating all licensed health care facilities and Certificate of Need approvals for medical services. She also served as Deputy Director of the Department of Licensing & Regulation (Now Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs), overseeing licensing of occupations, health care professions and the Insurance Bureau (now OFIR). She also worked on Capitol Hill for 9 years as a key legislative and political advisor to former United States Congressman Bob Traxler. Raj was admitted to the practice of law in 1984. Raj serves on the board of Sparrow Hospice House; she is a past local board member and founder of organizations promoting youth physical activity, hockey, lacrosse, and the majority owner of an NAHL Jr. Hockey team. Raj is a graduate and recipient of the distinguished alumni award of Saginaw Valley State University and the Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America. Education: Columbus School of Law, Juris Doctor, December 1983; Saginaw Valley State University, Bachelor of Science, Biology, 1973; Central Michigan University, Master of Sport Administration, 2014. Community Involvement: Williamston Sunrise Rotary; Williamston United Methodist Church; Community Volunteers for International Programs (MSU) Board; Sparrow Community Care Board; Sparrow Hospice Advisory Board; Saginaw Valley State University Foundation Board; Steiner Chorale.

Carl M. Williams

Term Expires: 7/21/2029

Carl M. Williams, of Saginaw, is the first vice president of the NAACP Saginaw Chapter. He previously served as the manager of public relations for the Michigan Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative, as the State Representative for the 95th House District, and as a member of the Saginaw City Council and Mayor Pro-Tem. Prior to his election to public office, Mr. Williams was employed by Delphi Steering Systems as an Employee Assistance Program coordinator and manufacturing supervisor. Mr. Williams holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Central Michigan University. He is a current member of the Black Leadership Advisory Council.

George Grant Jr

Ex-Officio
SVSU President

Mary Kowaleski
Secretary to the Board of Control
makowale@svsu.edu
(989) 964-2597 

Board of Trustees
boc@svsu.edu
(989) 964-4041