Dr. Wanda Cook-Robinson, a lifelong educator, was appointed Superintendent of Oakland Schools in July 2015 after serving 14 months as the district’s Chief of Staff. Cook-Robinson supports the academic achievement of the 207,000 students in Oakland County’s 28 public school districts, charter schools and non-public schools. She is a former superintendent of Southfield Public Schools, where she oversaw increased student achievement, expanded opportunities for students and enhanced professional development. She was named 2013 “Michigan State Superintendent of the Year” by the Michigan Association of School Administrators. Cook-Robinson holds a Ph.D. in instructional technology and an Ed.S. in educational leadership from Wayne State University; a master’s degree in curriculum development and supervision from the University of Michigan; and a bachelor’s degree in special education from Michigan State University. She is the recipient of the 2017 Courage Award for Educational Excellence and Development from the Greater Pontiac Community Coalition.
Macomb Intermediate School District Superintendent Michael DeVault has been with the district since 1991. DeVault came to the district as Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Employee Relations, and became Superintendent in 1993. Before coming to the MISD, he held administrative positions in curriculum, special education, personnel, finance, operations and secondary school leadership with Utica Community Schools, Mason Schools and a district in the Kalamazoo area. Following his service in the military, DeVault started his career as a teacher and coach in the Port Huron Area. He received his bachelor’s degree in business and master’s degree in education from Western Michigan University.
David Hecker is president of AFT Michigan, the state organization of the American Federation of Teachers. Hecker has also served as a vice president of the American Federation of Teachers since 2004. Hecker serves on the AFT’s Executive Committee, Michigan State AFL-CIO Executive Council, Education Alliance of Michigan board and New Detroit board. Additionally, he is chair of the Community in Schools Michigan and co-chair of the Coalition for the Future of Detroit Schoolchildren.
David Martell has served as executive director of the Michigan School Business Officials for more than a decade. Martell previously worked as director of finance for Haslett Public Schools and in finance-related positions at Michigan State University. Martell serves on various boards of directors and audit committees, including the Michigan Liquid Asset Fund and the School Employers Trust Property Casualty Fund. He has also served on the Haslett Public Schools Board of Education and the Michigan Institute of Educational Management. Martell has a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Robert McCann is a Lansing-based political consultant and Executive Director of the Tri-County Alliance for Public Education. McCann has a broad range of experience working in both government and campaign environments. He previously served as Chief of Staff and Communications Director for the Michigan Senate Democrats under the leadership of now Gov. Gretchen Whitmer during her term as Senate Democratic Leader. Prior to that, McCann served as Press Secretary for the state Department of Environmental Quality during Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s term in office.
He has a master’s degree in Public Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Michigan State University.
Dr. William C. Miller is Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators, where he provides leadership and management to coordinate the efforts of educational service agencies serving over 1.5 million public school students. Miller is responsible for statewide leadership in Career and Technical Education, school administration, educational technology infusion, curriculum and assessment coordination, policy development and staff development. He was previously Superintendent of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District from 1999 to 2010, and has also been a teacher, principal and adjunct faculty member. Miller received the Educational Leadership Award from the University of Michigan in 2006, was named Regional Superintendent of the year in 2005 and National Educator of the year by AdvancED in 2012. He holds a doctorate from Michigan State University, a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Michigan State University, and a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University.
Mike Shoudy is executive director of the Michigan Education Association. Shoudy previously worked as MEA general counsel and was an attorney and shareholder with the law firm of White Schneider P.C. He is a member of the labor and employment law section of the State Bar, the Institute of Continuing Legal Education Labor Advisory Board and is a fellow of the State Bar of Michigan. Shoudy earned his bachelor’s and law degrees from Michigan State University.
Ray Telman is executive director of the Middle Cities Education Association, which serves urban school districts across Michigan. Telman has lobbied at the state and national level and worked as teacher and principal at the local and intermediate district levels.
Chris Wigent has served as executive director of the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators since 2015. He previously worked as superintendent of the Wayne Regional Educational Service Agency for eight years. Wigent was previously superintendent of the Calhoun Intermediate School District, Olivet Community Schools and Dryden Community Schools. He also previously worked as an instructor for the Michigan Association of School Boards, specializing in board-superintendent relationships and effective board meetings.
Don Wotruba has served as executive director of the Michigan Association of School Boards for the past three years. He has lobbied on behalf of MASB for 17 years. In addition, Wotruba served for six years on the Eaton RESA board of education, providing five local districts with career technical education and special education services.
