On Jan. 4, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Ron Bacon and Heather Gallegos to SVSU’s governing Board of Control. The two alumni will replace former Board members Bhushan Kulkarni and Vicki Rupp whose terms expired in July. Bacon and Gallegos’ terms will remain active until July 21, 2031.
The Board of Control consists of 8 members who are appointed by the governor and are subject to Michigan Senate confirmation. After confirmation, the member serves an 8-year term. The Board of Control is also joined by the President of the University, President George Grant Jr, who acts as ex-officio.
In an SVSU Newsroom article, President Grant Jr expressed gratitude towards the two alumni and welcomed them back on campus. Quoting the Newsroom article, ““Ron and Heather have strong track records of service to their communities and understanding of their alma mater, and we are pleased to see they have accepted this important role,”” President Grant Jr said.
Bacon’s background focused strongly on biotechnology, where he’s found several opportunities in sales and medical case management. In the past, Bacon served as a board member of the East Lansing Educational Foundation and spent 20 years coaching youth football in his communities.
He received his bachelor’s and his master’s degree from SVSU, and just recently finished his term as the mayor of East Lansing. Currently, Bacon is serving as the commissioner on the MLK Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan and is employed by Genentech as an area manager.
Gallegos, currently employed by Dow as the North America Director of Communications and Community Affairs, has also been appointed to the Board of Control for SVSU.
Gallegos completed her bachelor’s degree at SVSU and moved on to find opportunities in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Most recently, she chaired the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, and is the current chair of the Great Lakes Bay Region Alliance, and the Vice Chair of the Delta College Foundation. She is also on the boards of McLaren Health Care, the Midland Business Alliance, Saginaw Club and TempleArts.
The Board of Control welcomes both Ron Bacon and Heather Gallegos to their roles and looks forward to working with both members.