Board Members
By Jennifer Gomori, MAPE Editor
When the pandemic hit and everyone was scrambling to figure out new ways of dealing with their current positions, former City of Jackson Employees Local Union Secretary Eric Miller stepped into two new MAPE leadership roles.
Miller received the 2021 Richard C. Heins Outstanding Leadership Award for taking the lead as MAPE Local Jackson City President and MAPE Executive Board President. He was honored at the MAP Holiday Open House Dec. 10, 2021.
“When (MAPE Executive Director) Fred (Timpner) gave me that honor, I was completely surprised,” Miller said. “On our Facebook page, I made sure to thank the Local Board. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be able to do some of the stuff I was able to do. I had a good support system.”
The two positions opened up after former MAPE Executive Board President and Jackson Local Union President Jeff Heston accepted a promotion into a non-union position at the City in September 2020.
Ironically, Miller wasn’t expecting to fill either position. When Heston left the Local Board, the Local Vice President at the time was slated to take over as President. However, he was terminated before he officially became Local President. Miller, who had been serving as Local Union Secretary for seven years and DPW Steward for three years prior to that, accepted the top board position.
“The former Local Union Vice President, within a week of being made President, was terminated by the Employer,” Timpner said. “Eric rose up and became President overnight when COVID hit and contract bargaining was beginning. It was a very difficult time.”
“We didn’t start negotiations until February or March (2021), but our Local was coming up with ideas,” Miller said. “We were talking to each other and saying ‘Give us ideas about what you want to work on.’”
The Jackson City Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator also joined the MAPE Executive Board in October 2020 as Secretary when prior Secretary Pam Porman transitioned to the President position upon Heston’s departure. Miller took it up a notch in the fall of 2021 when Porman retired and he became the MAPE Executive Board President.
The Michigan Association of Public Employees Executive Board Members
Executive Officers
President:
Eric Miller
City of Jackson Employees
161 West Michigan Avenue, Jackson MI 49201
Vice President:
Gerard Pryor
Redford Township Technical Workers
15145 Beech Daly Rd., Redford Townshp, MI 48239
Secretary:
Penny Wasalaski-Adams
35th District Court Employees
660 Plymouth Rd., Plymouth, MI 48170
Treasurer:
Marvin Vaughn
Oakland County Children's Village Employees
1200 North Telegraph Rd., Building 63W, Pontiac, MI 48341
Executive Director:
Fred Timpner
Michigan Association of Public Employees
667 E. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 109, Troy, MI 48083
Director:
Jerald James
Michigan Association of Public Employees
667 E. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 109, Troy, MI 48083
Executive Administrator:
Julie Palmquist
Michigan Association of Public Employees
667 E. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 109, Troy, MI 48083