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staff photo Kathleen M. Wilbur, PhD
Senior Vice President for Government Relations
govrel@msu.edu

Kathleen M. Wilbur, Ph.D. joined Michigan State University’s Government Relations department in March 2018

Wilbur formerly served as Central Michigan University Vice President and Interim President, she is also the only woman to direct three State of Michigan departments and served on the MSU Board of Trustees.

Before her MSU appointment, Wilbur was vice president for government and external relations at CMU. She also had served as interim president and vice president for development and external relations, joining CMU in 2002.

Prior to that she was director of the Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services, director of the Michigan Department of Commerce, deputy director of the Michigan Department of Commerce, and director of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Wilbur earlier was chief of staff to State Senator William Sederburg, who chaired the Senate Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, among other assignments.

She was elected to the MSU Board of Trustees in 1984 and served through 1990. Her peer reviewed journal publications and conference presentations focus on the role of institution trustees in higher education.

A 2007 inductee into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame, Wilbur earned a doctorate in higher education administration, a master’s degree in higher education administration, and bachelor’s degree in journalism from MSU.

staff photo David W. Bertram
Associate Vice President for State Relations
dbertram@msu.edu

David Bertram was named Assistant Vice President for State Relations at Michigan State University in 2011, and was promoted to Associate Vice President in 2015. Prior to joining MSU, Bertram spent nearly 15 years with the Michigan Township Association, serving as the legislative team leader from 1997-2011. Bertram served in the Executive Office in Michigan in a number of positions, including as the governor’s lobbyist in the Michigan Senate for three years. He also served on Senate Majority Leader’s staff, gubernatorial campaign staff, and on an Executive Office transition team. As the Associate Vice President for State Relations, David, is the day-to-day point person representing MSU before the Michigan Legislature, Governor’s Office and state departments. His role also involves working in collaborative efforts on higher education and state issues with other state universities and other stakeholders. At MSU, he also serves as one a few point people on mobility strategy (autonomous and connected vehicles), Polyfluoroakyl (PFAS/PFOS) efforts and other state environmental and natural resources policy issues. Bertram has a Bachelor of Science in political science from Lake Superior State University.

staff photo Jeremy Reuter
Director for Statewide Advocacy
reuterje@msu.edu
Jeremy Reuter joined Michigan State University in 2018. Jeremy has 20 years of policy experience in a variety of organizations focused on improving educational outcomes for Michigan residents from early childhood through higher education. He has served as CEO of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation, Director of Funding and Government Relations for Learning Care Group, and Special Assistant/Senior Policy Advisor at the Michigan Department of Education.  As Director for Statewide Advocacy, Jeremy is responsible for managing advocacy efforts and supporting relationships with advocates within and beyond the university. Jeremy earned his BA in Family and Community Services and his MA in Family Studies from Michigan State University. 
staff photo Janet Lillie, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice President for Community Relations – East Lansing/Lansing
lillieja@msu.edu
Janet Lillie joined Michigan State University in 1997. Lillie has been a faculty member for over 18 years teaching classes on organizational communication and professional development. She has also served as the Coordinator of Freshman Year Programming at MSU and prior to joining Government Relations in 2014, Lillie was the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education for MSU's College of Communication Arts and Sciences where she oversaw all aspects of undergraduate education in the College. As Assistant Vice President for Community Relations, Lillie is responsible for connecting MSU, community leaders, and the Greater Lansing Region on initiatives that advance mutual interests. Lillie earned her BA in Communication and German from Miami University, and her MA and PhD both in Communication from Michigan State University.
Suchitra A. Webster
Community Liaison
hingwesu@msu.edu
Suchitra Webster joined Michigan State University in 1996, as a member of the Admissions team. Webster's professional tenure at MSU has included communications and strategic planning in Admissions, Academic Advising and for the Office of the Provost. With over 15 years of community relations expertise, Webster has been able to successfully leverage public and private resources to build connections between town and gown. In her capacity as Community Liaison, she works closely with the Community Relations Coalition, the City of East Lansing, neighboring municipalities, and local landlords and property managers, while co-chairing MSU’s You Vote committee and partnering with various MSU entities (from ASMSU to the Office of International Student and Scholars). Webster earned both her BA in International Relations and her MA in Student Affairs Administration from Michigan State University.
Lori Dahlstrom
Executive Assistant to the Kathy Wilbur and David Bertram
lori@msu.edu
Lori Dahlstrom joined MSU in 2007 as executive assistant to the vice president for finance and operations and treasurer (now the Office of the Executive Vice President for Administrative Services). Dahlstrom joined the Government Relations staff in March 2013. She provides support to the executive vice president and the associate vice president for Government Relations, as well as overseeing daily operations of the office. Before coming to MSU, Dahlstrom was executive assistant to the president and CEO of Delta Dental Plans of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. She holds an Associate Degree in applied science from Lansing Community College.
Stacey L. Patton
Fiscal Officer
pattons2@msu.edu
Stacey Patton joined MSU in August 2005. Patton began as the receptionist, then as an administrative assistant, and now serves as the Government Relations fiscal officer. Patton also provides backup clerical support for the MSU and Detroit offices. She has worked in the clerical field for more than 20 years. Prior to coming to MSU, Patton worked for the Wayne County Sheriff and Mental Health Department.
Marina Scott
Executive Staff Assistant
mscott@msu.edu

Marina Scott joined MSU in December 2011. Scott provides scheduling and administrative support for the assistant vice president for community relations and director for statewide advocacy. Before coming to MSU, she was an administrative assistant at Michigan Millers Insurance Company and was an executive assistant at Lansing Economic Area Partnership.

Detroit

staff photo Charles A. Rivers
Director for Community Relations–Southeast Michigan
riversc1@msu.edu
Chuck Rivers joined MSU in October 2008 as an assistant to the vice president and was promoted to the position of director of community relations for Southeast Michigan. Rivers is primarily responsible for interactions with local political, philanthropic, and community leaders and for elevating MSU’s presence in Metro Detroit (Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties). Prior to joining MSU, Rivers served as assistant to the vice president for human resources at Visteon Corporation. He also served as human resources salaried and hourly personnel manager for Ford Motor Company. He holds degrees in anthropology and history from Bishop State College in Mobile, Alabama, and psychology and sociology from Bishop College in Dallas, Texas, and a Master of Arts in higher education administration from MSU.

Washington DC

staff photo Sarah K. Walter
Associate Vice President–Washington, D.C., Office
swalter@msu.edu
Sarah Walter joined the MSU Washington office in 2011 and serves as associate vice president for government relations in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining MSU, Walter was director of federal relations for research at the University of Michigan. From 2002 to 2006, she served as associate director of Vanderbilt University’s D.C. office. Previously, Walter served as the senior legislative assistant to Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and worked as a senior analyst with the Arms Control Association and as an analyst at the Science Applications International Corporation. She graduated from the University of Chicago with a Master of Arts in international relations and from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Arts in history.
staff photo Jacob Courville
Director–Washington, D.C., Office
jcourvil@msu.edu
Jacob Courville joined MSU’s Washington office in 2015 and serves as director for federal relations. Courville is responsible for covering a number of issues that affect the university, including biomedical research, education, agriculture, energy, environment, and tax issues. Prior to joining MSU, Courville served in the office of retired U.S. Senator Carl Levin where he was a senior advisor responsible for a wide range of topics that included biomedical research, health care, labor, retirement, and Native American affairs. Courville graduated from MSU with a Bachelor of Arts in political science.
Janine Bellamy
Office Manager–Washington, D.C., Office
bellamy5@msu.edu
Janine Bellamy joined MSU’s Washington office in May 2011. Bellamy is responsible for the overall coordination of the day-to-day functions of the office and implementations of special projects. She also provides administrative support for the Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa. Bellamy has been working in administration for more than 25 years. Before joining Government Relations, she was the administrative assistant to the director of operations at a law firm in the Washington, D.C., area.

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