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Robert Sturgis, PDG, Board Chair
After more than 40 years of service as a tool and die maker for General Motors, Bob is retired and living in Lennon, Michigan. He attended Flint Junior College and the General Motors Institute. Bob has been an active Lions Club member for more than 30 years, serving on numerous District and State Committees, and was Lions District 11 D-1 Governor during 1999-2000. In Lionism, Bob is a Melvin Jones Fellow who has received two International Presidents' Leadership Medals and five International Presidents' Certificates of Appreciation.

William D. Barr, Ed.D., PDG, Board Treasurer
“Doc” Barr worked in the education field for more than 40 years, holding a variety of positions, from elementary school teacher to superintendent of schools. He received a Doctorate in Education from Wayne State University and has worked in a supervisory capacity in the areas of curriculum development, school bond issue elections and computer network development. He is a long-time member of the Novi Lions Club.

Bert Rivette, PDG, Board Secretary
Bert retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1974, and from General Motors in 1991. An active member of the Zilwaukee Lions Club since 1974, he has received numerous Club, District and International awards, as well as a Melvin Jones Fellowship. Bert is also active in his community, having served on the Zilwaukee City Planning Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals and Tax Increment Finance Authority. He has been on the Board of Directors at the Special Needs Vision Clinic in Saginaw, which serves the needs of physically and mentally disabled citizens throughout mid-Michigan. He has been involved with Midwest Eye-Banks since 1988, and is a recipient of the Eye-Bank’s prestigious Founder’s Award.

DIRECTORS

Busharat Ahmad, M.D., FACS

Gary Babcock, PDG

John Barletta, M.D.
Dr. Barletta is an ophthalmologist at Huron Ophthalmology, P.C., in Ypsilanti. He is a graduate of the Wayne State University College of Medicine, and interned at Detroit’s St. Johns Hospital and Medical Center. He did his residency at the University of Florida College of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology, and completed a fellowship in Corneal and External Disease at Duke University Eye Center, followed by post-fellowship work at the Montreal Children’s Hospital Department of Ophthalmology. Dr. Barletta lives in Ann Arbor with his wife, Connie. They have four children.

Paul F. Charette
Paul Charette dedicated his career to serving the citizens of Michigan as an analyst, legislative liaison and research manager for the Michigan Department of State. He was instrumental in the research, direction and development of many key state initiatives, including the safety belt law, repeat offender drunk driving laws and graduated driver licensing. Paul also coordinated the Michigan Organ Donor Registry from 2004 until his retirement in 2010. He is currently enrolled in Siena Heights University’s Diocesan Ministry Formation Program, and is an active volunteer for numerous organizations in the Lansing area.

John Johnson
John joined the St. Joseph Township Lions Club in 1982 and has since held every officer position in the Club. He received several awards for his contributions to Lionism, including a Melvin Jones Fellowship, Lion of the Year, the LOMSF Ken Lautzenheiser Award and the International President’s Certificate of Appreciation. John earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Central Michigan University and completed his Juris Doctorate at Wayne State University Law School.

John Krienke, Ph.D.
John Krienke is a licensed psychologist with the State of Michigan and a member of the American Psychological Association. John is a veteran of the U.S. Navy Reserves, has played a leadership role in the Wolverine Council of the Boy Scouts of America and has been a member of the Ann Arbor (Host) Lions Club since 1978.

Charles H. Nicklas, CED, PDG
Charles Nicklas is the owner and principal consultant at Nicklas and Associates. He has been a Certified Economic
Developer since 1978. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Ohio University and a Master of Business Administration from Xavier University. He was an Adjunct Professor of Management at the University of Richmond. Charles is a member of the Munising Lions Club and a Past District Governor.

Patrick J. Pruitt
Patrick Pruitt has been an active Michigan Eye-Bank Ambassador since he underwent a sight-restoring cornea transplant as a child. He has represented the Eye-Bank in local, state and national forums. Patrick has a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Michigan State University’s College of Social Sciences. He currently works at Wayne State University as a research assistant. In addition to his volunteer work for the Eye-Bank, Patrick is involved with numerous charitable organizations in the Detroit area.

Lisa Langley, Executive Director
Lisa has been with the Eye-Bank since 1989, when she started as a Certified Eye Bank Technician. Her role eventually grew into Public and Professional Education Coordinator, then Community Engagement Manager. In 2009, she was named Administrative Director of the Michigan Eye-Bank and was appointed Executive Director in 2010. Lisa, a registered nurse, holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wayne State University, where she is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Administration. Lisa served as President of the Ann Arbor Host Lions Club from July, 2008 through June, 2010.

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