March 2014
Michigan State University Extension
Organizational Structure and Contacts
Michigan State University Extension underwent a reorganization process in July 2010 that moved us to operating as a
matrix organization. A matrix organization is the type of organizational structure that is built around two or more
dimensions, such as functions, products or regions, and in which people may have two bosses. (Galbraith, 2009). The
MSUE matrix is currently structured in the following manner:
INSTITUTES
Four Institutes with a Director:
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Agriculture and Agribusiness – Wendy Powers, Ph.D.
Health and Nutrition – Dawn Contreras, Ph.D
Children and Youth – Julie Chapin, Ph.D
Greening Michigan – Dave Ivan, Ph.D
DISTRICTS
Thirteen districts across the state with a District Coordinator assigned to each district. Following is a list of the counties
in each district and the director’s name. See map below.
District 1 (Western Upper Peninsula) – Paul Putnam
Gogebic, Ontonagon, Houghton, Baraga, Marquette, Iron, Dickinson, Keweenaw, Menominee
District 2 (Eastern Upper Peninsula) – Jim Lucas
Delta, Alger, Schoolcraft, Mackinaw, Luce, Chippewa
District 3 (Northwest) – Patrick Cudney
Emmet, Charlevoix, Antrim, Leelanau, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Manistee
District 4 (Northeast) – Kelley Hiemstra
Presque Isle, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Crawford, Oscoda, Alcona, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco, Arenac
District 5 (West Central) – Michael Krauch, J.D.
Mason, Lake, Oceana, Newaygo, Muskegon
District 6 (North Central) – Shari Spoelman
Wexford, Missaukee, Osceola, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, Isabella
District 7 (Southwest Central) – Betty Blase
Ottawa, Kent, Allegan
District 8 (Central) – Don Lehman
Montcalm, Gratiot, Ionia, Clinton, Barry, Eaton, Ingham
District 9 (East Bay Area) – Deanna East
Midland, Bay, Saginaw, Genesee, Shiawassee
District 10 (“Thumb” Area) - Joe Bixler
Huron, Tuscola, Sanilac, Lapeer, St. Clair
District 11 (Metro Detroit) – Marie Ruemenapp
Oakland, Macomb, Wayne
District 12 (Southeast) – Matt Shane
Jackson, Washtenaw, Livingston, Hillsdale, Lenawee, Monroe
District 13 (Southwest) – Ginger Hentz
Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, Branch
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March 2014
INSTITUTE WORK TEAMS
Within each Institute, there are work teams made up of Extension educators, specialists, campus staff and in some
cases, program instructors and program associates. Individuals are assigned to work teams based on their role or area
of expertise. Each work team has co-chairs who work with team members to operationalize their program plans defined
within logic models which are developed collaboratively with work team members.
Currently, the work teams and co-chairs within each institute are as follows:
Agriculture and Agribusiness
Animal and Plant Production:
Hal Hudson, Ph.D. (hudsonh@anr.msu.edu)
Darrin Karcher, Ph.D. (dkarcher@msu.edu)
Mark Longstroth (longstr7@msu.edu)
Dennis Pennington (pennin34@anr.msu.edu)
Bill Shane, Ph.D. (shane@msu.edu)
Business Management:
Roy Black, Ph.D. (blackj@anr.msu.edu)
Joanne Davidhizar (davidhiz@msu.edu)
Stan Moore (moorest@anr.msu.edu)
Mark Seamon (seamonm@anr.msu.edu)
Dennis Stein (steind@anr.msu.edu)
Environmental Quality:
Rebecca Finneran (finneran@anr.msu.edu)
Bruce Mackellar (mackella@anr.msu.edu)
Dale Rozeboom, Ph.D. (rozeboom@msu.edu)
Steve Safferman, Ph.D. (safferman@anr.msu.edu)
Greening Michigan
Community Food Systems:
Rich Pirog, Ph.D (rspirog@msu.edu)
Rob Sirrine Field Co-Leader (sirrine@anr.msu.edu)
Kendra Wills Field Co-Leader (willsk@anr.msu.edu)
Natural Resources:
Pat Norris, Ph.D. Campus Co-Leader (norrisp@anr.msu.edu)
Georgia Peterson, Ph.D. (petersog@anr.msu.edu)
Dean Solomon (solomon@anr.msu.edu)
Government/Public Policy:
John Amrhein Field Co-Leader (amrhein@msu.edu)
Kurt Schindler Field Co-Leader (schindl9@msu.edu)
Eric Scorsone, Ph.D. Campus Co-Leader (scorsone@msu.edu)
Richard Wooten Campus Co-Leader (wooten@anr.msu.edu)
Sustaining Community Prosperity (SCP):
John Warbach, Ph.D. Campus Co-Leader (warbach@landpolicy.msu.edu)
Claire Layman Campus Co-Leader (laymanc@anr.msu.edu)
Bonnie Zoia Field Co-Leader (zoiay@anr.msu.edu)
SCP subgroup: Finance and Homeowner Education:
Brenda Long Field Co-Leader (longbr@anr.msu.edu)
Wanda Roberts Field Co-Leader (wroberts@anr.msu.edu)
SCP subgroup: Leadership and Community Engagement:
Ann Chastain Field Co-Leader (chastain@anr.msu.edu)
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March 2014
Children and Youth
Academic Success:
Jake DeDecker, Ph.D. (dedecke4@msu.edu)
Michelle Neff (neff@msu.edu)
Capacity Building:
Lisa Bottomley (lbottomley@msu.edu)
Jodi Schulz (schulzj@msu.edu)
Leadership Civic Engagement:
Brian Wibby (wibby@anr.msu.edu)
Jackie Martin (marti623@msu.edu)
Careers/Work Force Prep:
Laurie Rivetto (rivettol@msu.edu)
Sara Keinath (skeinath@anr.msu.edu)
Health and Nutrition
Food Safety:
Lisa Trieber (treiber@anr.msu.edu)
Beth Waitrovich (waitrovi@msu.edu)
Disease Prevention and Management:
Diana Fair (faird@msu.edu)
Laura Anderson (ander359@anr.msu.edu)
Nutrition and Physical Activity:
Joyce McGarry (mcgarryj@anr.msu.edu)
Shannon Lindquist (lindqui8@anr.msu.edu)
Jennifer Berkey (berkeyj@anr.msu.edu)
Social-Emotional:
Suzanne Pish (pishs@anr.msu.edu)
Carolyn Penniman (pennimac@anr.msu.edu)
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March 2014
As an MSUE employee and as part of our matrix organization, you will have membership in an Institute, be part of one or
more work teams, may participate in staff related activities and/or interact with stakeholders in your district and receive
a performance appraisal by your Institute Director (with input from your District coordinator).
MSUE Director’s Office
Director – Thomas Coon, Ph.D.
Associate Director – Stephen Lovejoy, Ph.D.
MSUE Organizational Development Team
The purpose of our Organizational Development team is to enhance the long-term health, well-being and performance
of MSU Extension while enriching the lives of employees.
Organizational Development programs value diversity, scholarship, and a systems approach to organizational
development. The objective of our team is to improve the organization’s capacity to handle its internal and external
operations and relationships. The Organizational Development team aims to be a catalyst that helps MSUE get from
where it is today to our desired future.
Members of the Organizational Development Team and their areas of responsibility include:
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Dionardo Pizaña, Diversity and Personnel Specialist – Diversity and Multiculturalism
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Doug Brinklow -- Director of ANR Communications – Marketing and Communications
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Lela Vandenberg, Ph.D. – Specialist – Leadership, Professional Development, Distance Learning
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Bruce Haas, Ph.D. – Reporting Coordinator – Planning, Evaluating and Reporting
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Nancy Axtell – Human Resource Manager – Human Resources and Civil Rights
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Jean Schueller – Budget Officer, Business Office
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Cheryl Peters, Ph.D. – Specialist – Program Evaluation
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Vacant (was Doug Brahee) – Specialist – Civil Rights Compliance, Volunteer Management
The Organizational Development (OD) Team website may be accessed from the home page of MSU Extension or by
clicking here: http://od.msue.msu.edu. On the OD website, you can find resources on planning, evaluation and
reporting, marketing and communications, human resources, business office procedures and financial-related
information, civil rights, diversity and multiculturalism, professional development and information technology.
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