News & Notes - 12/20/23 Journal

Selfridge personnel given yearly honors
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — The best military and civilian employees got their annual recognition at Selfridge Air National Guard Base at the Outstanding Airmen of the Year awards on Dec. 2.

“The Outstanding Airmen of the Year ceremony is our opportunity to recognize our top performers, and the Wing’s accomplishments this past year,” said Brig. Gen. Matthew Brancato, commander of the 127th Wing and Selfridge Air National Guard Base, in a statement. “I feel honored to celebrate the extraordinary efforts of the 127th Wing.”

The 11 winners come from a pool of 30 base personnel and are as follows:

• Airman of the Year – Airman 1st Class Cole Alli, 127th Operations Group

• Noncommissioned Officer of the Year – Tech. Sgt. Erica Spaulding, 127th Maintenance Group

• Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year – Master Sgt. Trina Ramos, 127th Medical Group

• First Sergeant of the Year – Master Sgt. Heather Bell, 127th Mission Support Group

• Company Grade Officer of the Year – 1st Lt. Caleb Jenkins, 127th Air Refueling Group

• Honor Guard Member of the Year – Airman 1st Class Ethan Leary

• Recruiter of the Year – Tech. Sgt. Justin Nabarrette

• Civilian Employee of the Year – Catherine Finocchiaro, 127th Wing Headquarters

• Civilian Manager of the Year – Andrew Schumann, 127th Wing Headquarters

• State Employee of the Year –Joe McIntyre, 127th Mission Support Group

• Commander’s Trophy – 107th Mission Generating Force Element Team

Winners of the airman, noncommissioned officers and company grade officer categories will move on to a state-level awards ceremony, where winners will then be eligible for awards at the national level.

 

Director Gilchrist leaves Anton Art Center
MOUNT CLEMENS — After over 14 years with the Anton Art Center and serving as its executive director for eight years, Phil Gilchrist has left the Mount Clemens art center to serve as the executive director for Advancing Macomb.

“We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Phil Gilchrist as Advancing Macomb’s new executive director,” said Brian Pilarski, board chair of Advancing Macomb, in a statement. “With a tremendous background in nonprofit leadership and strong ties to our nonprofit community in Macomb and the Greater Detroit region, Phil is well positioned to lead Advancing Macomb toward greater impact.”

Gilchrist’s role at the Mount Clemens-based nonprofit will involve leading all aspects of its operations, overseeing programs, finances, strategic planning and execution, marketing and public relations.

In his place, Education and Community Engagement Manager Peggy DiMercurio was appointed the center’s interim director while a selection committee determines who will fill the role permanently.

“I am honored by the vote of confidence I have received from the Board of Trustees,” DiMercurio said in a statement from the Anton Art Center. “The staff and I are ready to work through this transition together and continue to provide quality arts programs and opportunities for our community. We have worked hard to create a welcoming and creative space for artists, volunteers, students, and community members, and will continue moving forward to meet our mission of enriching and inspiring people of all ages through the arts.”

 

MCCMH appoints interim CEO
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Macomb County Community Mental Health will see a change of leadership in 2024 as CEO Dave Pankotai steps down.

The position will be filled by COO Traci Smith in an interim capacity.

“Dave Pankotai’s contributions to Macomb County have been monumental,” said Phil Kraft, MCCMH Board Chairman, in a statement from the organization. “Our providers, MCCMH staff, and board of directors are grateful for his leadership and dedication. He will be greatly missed, but Dave has provided MCCMH a clear path and vision with which to move forward and be successful for years to come.”

Pankotai led the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, improving the organization’s finances while providing support for the Macomb County Central Intake and Assessment Project.

 

Lake St. Clair Metropark receives state grants
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Lake St. Clair Metropark is one of eight parks in the state to receive Land and Water Conservation Fund grants from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, bringing $500,000 to develop the Daysail Trail.

“The Land and Water Conservation Fund, along with many other important grant programs administered by the DNR, is vital to expanding opportunities for outdoor recreation by creating spaces for all of Michigan’s residents and visitors to enjoy,” said DNR Director Scott Bowen in a release from the state. “Whether through the creation of multi-use trails, community campground improvements, or the addition of accessible playgrounds, these grants help to connect people to the outdoors.”