Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to MIDC
On April 30, 2026, Governor Gretchen Whitmer made the following appointments to the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission:
John Hays, of Jackson, is the president of Judicial Services Group and JSG Monitoring, and the president and founder of the National Association of Service Providers. Hays holds a Bachelor of Arts in business administration and management from Spring Arbor University. John Hays is appointed as a member submitted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives for a term commencing April 30, 2026, and expiring April 1, 2029. Hays succeeds Thomas McMillen, whose term has expired.
Robert VerHeulen, of Walker, is chair of the Kent County Road Commission, the John Ball Zoo Board of Directors, and is a member of the City of Walker Planning Commission. VerHeulen is a former state representative for the 74th House District. VerHeulen holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Michigan and Juris Doctor from Wayne State University. Robert VerHeulen is appointed as a member submitted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives for a term commencing April 30, 2026, and expiring April 1, 2029.
Sofia Nelson, of Detroit, is a program director of the MDefenders Program and a lecturer at the University of Michigan Law School. Nelson previously served as a staff attorney at the Neighborhood Defender Service and as an assistant appellate defender at the State Appellate Defender Office. Nelson holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and women and gender studies from Tufts University and a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School. Sofia Nelson is appointed to as a member submitted by the State Bar of Michigan for a term commencing April 30, 2026, and expiring April 1, 2030. Nelson succeeds David Jones, whose term has expired.
James Samuels, of Mecosta, is the owner of Samuels Law Office. Samuels was previously the prosecuting attorney in Mecosta County. Samuels holds both an associate of applied science in legal assisting and a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Ferris State University, and a Juris Doctor from Cooley Law School. James Samuels is appointed as a member submitted by the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan for a term commencing April 30, 2026, and expiring April 1, 2028. Samuels succeeds Glenn Simmington, who has resigned.
The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission was created as a result of efforts to improve legal representation for indigent criminal defendants. The Commission develops and oversees the implementation, enforcement, and modification of minimum standards, rules, and procedures to ensure that indigent criminal defense services providing effective assistance of counsel are delivered to all indigent adults in this state consistent with the safeguards of the United States Constitution, the State Constitution of 1963, and with the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Act.
These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.