Governor announces appointments to CMU board

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has announced the appointment of David R. McGhee and Ryan Fewins-Bliss to the Central Michigan University Board of Trustees.

For McGhee, it’s a reappointment, having been named to the CMU board in May 2025 to complete the term previously held by Todd J. Anson.

David McGhee, of Grand Blanc, is the executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. Previously, McGhee served as the chief executive officer of The Steve Fund, chief strategy and program officer of the Schultz Family Foundation, and vice president of organizational excellence and impact at The Skillman Foundation. McGhee serves on the faculty of the Institute for Nonprofit Practice, where he is the senior fellow for the city of Detroit. McGhee is also a past board chair of Learn Fresh and a former board member and past president of the Flint Public Library Board of Trustees. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and Public Policy from Oakland University and a Master of Science in Administration Leadership from Central Michigan University.

“Trustee McGee has already provided tremendous value to the university in his short time on the board,” said CMU President Neil MacKinnon. “I look forward to working alongside him in the years ahead.”

Ryan Fewins-Bliss, of Bath, is the executive director of the Michigan College Access Network. In addition to this role, he serves as the Bath Township supervisor and is a member of the Michigan Education Corps Advisory Board. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Integrative Public Relations and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Central Michigan University. Fewins-Bliss will succeed Edward J. Plawecki Jr., whose term expires December 31, 2026.   

“With extensive experience in the education space, Trustee Fewins-Bliss makes for an exciting addition to the board,” MacKinnon said. “I’m thrilled to welcome him back to his alma mater in a governance role as we work toward our strategic goals and priorities.”

The two trustees will each serve an eight-year term, subject to the advice and consent of Michigan's State Senate. Their terms are effective January 1, 2027, and extend through December 31, 2034. CMU's Board of Trustees consists of eight members appointed by Michigan's governor under authority granted by the state constitution.