Board of Directors
Community Action is more than a job to us. It’s a cause we’re honored to get behind.
Jill Sutton, President
Jill Sutton has served as the Executive Director for Mid Michigan Community Action, a private non-profit organization, since 2009. The Agency utilizes $10 million in federal and state funds to support services for low-income families in Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, Midland and Osceola Counties. Ms. Sutton has been with the agency for 27 years serving in other administrative roles. She was recently elected to serve as the Chairperson of the Commission on Community Action & Economic Opportunity in which she was appointed by Governor Snyder in 2012. She also serves as the President of the Michigan Community Action Agency Association and previously as the Secretary & Treasurer and the Lower Peninsula Rural Officer. Jill holds a Master’s degree in Community Agency Counseling and Bachelor’s degree in Human Development/Psychology. She previously served as an adjunct professor at Central Michigan University for 21 years teaching courses in child development, family studies and counseling education.
Executive Director, Mid Michigan Community Action Agency
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Louis Piszker, Vice President
Named CEO of Wayne Metro Community Action Agency in 2007, Louis D. Piszker upholds the agency's mission to empower low-income people and strengthen communities through diverse services, leadership and collaboration. Leading the programmatic, financial and information systems and economic development activities for the community action agency serving low-income persons in 43 communities in Wayne County, Mr. Piszker oversees a budget exceeding $38 million annually. Louis manages the agency's senior leadership team providing direction and support, driving the overall growth and development plan, and reports to a Board of Directors comprised of 21 community leaders, corporate citizens, and elected officials. Louis has served as an officer on the Michigan Community Action Board of Directors, is a Downriver Chamber of Commerce Board Member, and holds an undergraduate degree in Accounting and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Michigan.
Chief Executive Officer, Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency
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Michelle Williamson, Secretary & Treasurer
Michelle Williamson is the Chief Executive Officer for Community Action of South Central Michigan, serving the counties of Barry, Branch, Calhoun and St. Joseph. She has served the agency for over 12 years, first as the Chief Financial Officer and then becoming the CEO in 2013. Michelle graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelors in Business Administration with a major in Accounting and currently holds her CPA license. The focus of her working career has been in health care and non-profit organizations. She currently oversees a $15 Million budget that is made up of Federal, State and Local revenue sources. The agency employees 225 individuals and it’s mission is dedicated to helping people achieve and maintain independence. Michelle oversees this work through her Leadership Team at the agency and her participation in community organizations. She has previously been the Chair of the Human Services Commission in St. Joseph County, a Board member of the Workforce Development board and a member of the Michigan Community Action Finance Committee.
Chief Executive Officer, Community Action
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Toby Berry, Urban Officer
Toby Berry is the CEO of Community Action Agency (CAA) and has been with the organization for 17 years. Prior to becoming the CEO in 2012, Toby was the agency’s Community Development Director managing the Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) activities of CAA for the City of Jackson and MSHDA; the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 3 for Jackson County; and the agency’s asset development and homeless programs. Toby has a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from Wayne State University and a B.A. in Psychology from Kalamazoo College.
Chief Executive Officer, Community Action Agency
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Kerri Duff, Upper Peninsula Officer
Kerri Duff was appointed to the MCA Board of Directors as Upper Peninsula Rural Officer in 2014 to fulfill the term of retiring Earl Hawn of Community Action Alger Marquette. She is currently the executive director of member agency Gogebic Ontonagon Community Action Agency, following her appointment on January 1, 2013. As executive director, Kerri oversees a multi-million dollar budget and is responsible for all administration, programmatic, and fiscal operations. She ensures collaboration and communications among agency staff, clients, and community partners. Prior to her appointment as GOCAA’s executive director, Kerri served as the agency’s head accountant since 2006. In addition to her work at GOCAA and as a member of the MCA board, Kerri has served on the board of the Upper Peninsula Community Action Network (UPCAN), as secretary-treasurer and as president. She received her BS in Accounting from Northern Michigan University and maintains her license as a certified public account.
Executive Director, Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency
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Art Fenrick, Lower Peninsula & Rural Officer
Art Fenrick has been the executive director of Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency since 1999, serving Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties. After retiring from the US Air Force in 1990, he worked as an executive director for a local homeless shelter and as a district representative for US Congressman Fred Upton. This is Art’s second go-round on the MCA board after having served from 2000-2005 before his re-election as Lower Peninsula-Rural officer in 2015. He also served as the chair of the association’s Weatherization Committee for 10 years. At SMCAA, he led the agency to its successful completion of the federal Organizational Standards, produces a string of consistently clean fiscal audits, and has recently completed the requirements to attain the Certified Community Action Professional designation.
Executive Director, Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency
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Melinda Johnson, At-Large Officer
Melinda Johnson is the Executive Director of Blue Water Community Action (BWCA) and has been with the organization since 1992. Prior to becoming the Executive Director in 2005, Melinda was the agency’s Deputy Director and Children’s Services Director. In 2002, Melinda obtained the Certified Community Action Professional and has maintained the certification since. She has a Master of Science degree in Administration from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Political Science from the University of Michigan-Flint. Ms. Johnson previously served as the Early Childhood Education Department Chairperson and adjunct faculty at Baker College of Port Huron teaching a variety of courses in early childhood, sociology, political science, small business management, geography, and human relations./p>
Executive Director, Blue Water Community Action
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Doug McFadden, Community Action Agency Governing Board Representative
Doug McFadden is the Board Chair of EightCAP, Inc., the Community Action Agency for Montcalm, Ionia, Isabella and Gratiot counties. He is a graduate of Wayne State University (CLSA'69) in Anthropology, Sociology, Sciences and English; and from WMU Thomas Cooley Law School (JD'78). He practiced as a private attorney and Chief Assistant Prosecutor. His anti-poverty career includes the Detroit Housing Commission, Belding Housing Commission, Ionia County Board of Commissioners and the EightCAP board as Vice-Chair. He spent years as an instructor in the Department of Corrections and Montcalm Community College. He currently volunteers extensively with the Montcalm Commission on Aging. His fifty year professional career has always promoted and encouraged education, employment and empowerment. His 45 year amateur hockey career was distinguished only by its duration.
Board Chair, EightCAP, Inc.
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Matthew Purcell, Directors Council Chair
Matt Purcell is a lifetime resident of Michigan’s Genesee County. Devoting his adult life serving the residents of Genesee County shows his dedication and commitment to his community. He has demonstrated this devotion by working with the Genesee County Community Action Department for over 23 years. Matt has 19 years of programming experience, working as a director in all areas of programming within GCCARD; finance director, nutrition services, neighborhood services, weatherization, and commodity foods. Matt has demonstrated an ability to analyze existing program processes and procedures, to redesign and develop methods that increase efficiencies in an effort to meet desired program objectives and outcomes, and an understanding and compassion for the issues faced by individuals and families experiencing and struggling with the effects of poverty. The nature of his chosen career has allowed him to be involved in various community service acts, such as; community cleanup projects, painting projects, neighborhood park cleanup and completing chores to help service the seniors in the Flint community. Matt is reliable; actively involved in church activities, leads a faith filled life, trustworthy, dependable and will always provide an honest, fair and objective point of view. As GCCARD’s executive director, Matt plans on continuing to make great changes in Genesee County. He believes that through effective, impactful, and compassionate programming and interactions, we can positively affect an individual, thus positively affect a family, and thus positively affect our community.
Executive Director, Genesee County Community Action Resource Department
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Eric Schertzing, Community Action Agency Governing Board Representative
Eric Schertzing holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University’s James Madison College (JMCD ’85) and a Masters of Public Administration from Western Michigan University (’00). Mr. Schertzing has been the elected Ingham County Treasurer since 2000. His prior public service includes 8 years as Chief Deputy Drain Commissioner and 9 years as Special Assistant to Congressman Bob Carr (D-MI). In 2005, Mr. Schertzing led the creation of the Ingham County Land Bank Fast Track Authority, the second County authority in Michigan, and serves as Chair. The Land Bank is a significant public developer. Innovative approaches to demolition, community building, business incubation, land reutilization, and Place Making efforts are a few of the organization's specializations. Over 200 families have realized the dream of home ownership in a Land Bank home. Mr. Schertzing has been a leader in the tri-county area for foreclosure prevention and consumer financial literacy. He serves on the Capital Area Community Services Board of Directors as the 1st Vice President. He is also a Board member of Michigan Community Action. The Schertzing family resides in East Lansing. Mr. Schertzing and his wife Nancy are proud parents of three teenagers. They enjoy travel, reading and gardening. Professionally, Mr. Schertzing is a member of the Michigan Government Finance Officers Association (MGFOA), Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM), the Urban Land Institute, the Michigan Sense of Place Council, and many other financial and development organizations.
1st Vice President of the Board of Directors, Capital Area Community Services
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