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PSC Staff & Fellows
Jack D. Bails is a senior policy fellow at Public Sector Consultants, having previously served as vice president for natural resources. He provides strategic counsel and research services to private and public sector clients at the local, state, and national levels, to facilitate solutions to site-specific environmental issues and to assist in formulating public policy for the sustainable use and protection of natural resources. In addition, he manages the staff support for the $23-million Great Lakes Fishery Trust, which makes grants to government entities and nonprofit organizations for projects to mitigate fish losses at a large hydroelectric facility. He has been with the firm since 1992. Prior to joining PSC, Mr. Bails held various research, management, and policy positions during a 28-year tenure with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) that included eight years as a deputy director. Prior positions with the department include chief of the Environmental Enforcement Division and chief of the Office of Program Review during the mid-1970s through early 1980s, when major environmental policy and legislation were developed in Michigan. Mr. Bails has extensive experience in developing, implementing, and enforcing environmental regulations in Michigan. Mr. Bails holds BS and MS degrees in Environmental Sciences from Michigan State University. Carol Barish
Carol Barish is a consultant for natural resources and environment at Public Sector Consultants. She has been with the firm since 1993. Ms. Barish conducts research for clients and the firm and assists in developing proposals and writing reports. She assists the environmental division in all aspects of project management, including database management, scheduling meetings and events, and working with senior staff to develop and refine projects. She also serves as accounts manager for the Great Lakes Fishery Trust, a private foundation managed by PSC. In addition, Ms. Barish staffs a coalition; writes newsletters, and monitors state and national public health policy activities. Prior to joining PSC, Ms. Barish was employed in Lansing as assistant for board services for the American Board of Emergency Medicine; before that she was business manager for the Environmental Economics Research Group. Ms. Barish holds a BA in Business from Northwood
University and an MS in Administration from Central Michigan
University. Julie Metty Bennett
Julie Metty Bennett is vice president for natural resources at Public Sector Consultants. Ms. Bennett provides strategic counsel, conducts research and analysis, and manages projects for the firm and its clients on a wide range of subjects, including water quality, land use, natural resource management, and public policy. She served as project manager for PSC’s contract to staff the Michigan Land Use Leadership Council, which involved tracking scope, schedule, and budget for the project as well as providing research, analysis, and report writing services. In addition, she serves as program manager for People and Land (PAL) and manager for the Great Lakes Fishery Trust, both multimillion-dollar private foundations managed by PSC. In this capacity, she manages staff, budgets, and project tasks; provides strategic direction; and manages grants made to a variety of nonprofit and governmental entities. Prior to joining PSC in 2000, Ms. Bennett worked for the Michigan United Conservation Clubs as an environmental policy specialist, representing the organization before local, state, and federal policymakers on energy, air quality, and waste management issues. She also managed a variety of issue-specific public education campaigns and coordinated grassroots activities related to the 1996 voter initiative, Proposal G. She then joined the National Wildlife Federation, successfully and strategically managing issue advocacy campaigns to educate and mobilize individuals, organizations, and federal, state, and local policymakers in furtherance of Great Lakes protection issues. As part of her work on the very successful Clean the Rain campaign, Ms. Bennett served as co-author of a report that received considerable national attention. Ms. Bennett holds a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science, with a concentration in Environmental Policy and a second major in Political Science, and an MS in Resource Development, with specialization in Environmental Toxicology, both from Michigan State University.
Mark A. Coscarelli is vice president for Great Lakes & environment at Public Sector Consultants. He has been with the firm since 2001. Mr. Coscarelli conducts research and analysis and writes reports on the environment and public policy for the firm and its clients. He also serves as manager and secretary for the Great Lakes Fishery Trust. Prior to joining PSC, Mr. Coscarelli was a senior environmental specialist in the Office of the Great Lakes, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. As manager of the Michigan Great Lakes Protection Fund, he was responsible for administration and oversight activities of the fund to enhance and protect the Great Lakes. He also served as a statewide expert for the control of harmful nonindigenous species in Michigan. In this capacity, he developed and implemented a control program targeting harmful species and served as liaison to the executive branch, the legislature, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). Mr. Coscarelli has also been employed as an environmental quality analyst in the Surface Water Quality Division of the MDNR as well as a resource specialist working in the Michigan State University Groundwater Education Program. Mr. Coscarelli holds a BS in Environmental and Natural Resource Studies and an MS in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University.
Emily Houk is director for federal and state policy at Public Sector Consultants. Ms. Houk analyzes policy issues in the areas of education and economic development and provides strategic counsel, research, and facilitation services to clients. She manages evaluation, research, and technical consulting projects and provides staff and analytical support for partnerships, task forces, coalitions, and consensus-building efforts. Ms. Houk holds a BA in International Relations from the James Madison College, Michigan State University.
Jennifer Huisken LaPointe is a senior consultant for public policy at Public Sector Consultants. She analyzes policy issues in the area of education and provides strategic counsel, research, and facilitation services to clients. She conducts evaluation, research, and technical consulting projects and provides staff and analytical support for partnerships, task forces, coalitions, and consensus-building efforts. Ms. Huisken LaPointe brings 17 years of experience in the education arena, with expertise in special education policy, state education systems, secondary transition (particularly for American Indian communities), and technical assistance and process facilitation. Prior to joining PSC she served at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration as a State technical assistance specialist, where she provided leadership in the management and operations of a regional center of technical assistance and dissemination related to federal disability law to nine states served in the North Central region and the National Technical Assistance and Dissemination Network. Ms. LaPointe holds a BA magna cum laude in Special Education from Hope College and a master’s degree in Social Work with a certificate in Disability Policy and Services from the University of Minnesota School of Social Work.
Jacqueline LaFay is a consultant for health and human services at Public Sector Consultants. Ms. LaFay conducts research for the firm and its clients on a wide range of subjects including mental health, early childhood education, emergency planning and preparedness, obesity, worksite wellness, and nutrition; assists in developing proposals and writing reports; conducts focus groups and interviews; and edits and maintains project-based websites. Ms. LaFay provides support to the Michigan Association for Evaluation and the IMPACT System of Care Evaluation. In addition, she coordinates internal protocols for all of the health profession licensure surveys that the firm conducts. She also manages office wellness programs for the PSC staff. Prior to joining PSC in 2002 as an executive assistant to the health division, she was a credentialing/recredentialing coordinator at CIGNA HealthCare. Ms. LaFay holds a BA in Professional Studies from Western Michigan University.
As a public policy fellow—a position created to increase minority participation in the arena of public policy analysis and development, including government, for-profit, and nonprofit organizations—Ms. Magan works with every division within PSC, giving her the opportunity to gain knowledge in public policy through practical and professional experience. She conducts research for the firm and its clients and assists in developing proposals. Her personal research interests include health policy and service delivery, health disparities, health communications, and global health. While an undergraduate, Ms. Magan participated in the Ronald E. McNair/SROP Scholars program at MSU. Her research involved Somali refugees in the Greater Lansing Area focusing on women’s health. She also completed an internship at the Michigan Department of Community Health, where she worked on projects related to survey design of the National Diabetes Education Program survey. She has also worked as nutrition outreach coordinator, providing translation to refugee and immigrant families during office visits and organizing nutrition-based seminars for Somali refugee women. Ms. Magan holds a BS from Michigan State University in Family Community Services, with a specialization in Health Promotion.
Amanda Menzies is a senior consultant for health policy at Public Sector Consultants. Ms. Menzies conducts research and analysis and writes reports on a variety of health policy issues. She staffs various partnerships and committees and facilitates group discussions. Prior to joining PSC in 2001, Ms. Menzies was the Program and Fund Development Coordinator for the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of Michigan. Ms. Menzies attended Michigan State University where she earned a BA in Public Policy/Health. Suzanne Miel-Uken
Suzanne Miel-Uken is a senior policy fellow at Public Sector Consultants. She joined PSC in 1998 and served as the firm’s vice president for health and human services from 1999 to 2008. She provides strategic counsel, research, and facilitation services to clients. Ms. Miel-Uken previously held several policy and management positions in the state departments of Human Services (formerly the Family Independence Agency), Management and Budget, and Community Health (formerly Public Health). In the latter, she managed the development of Michigan’s critical health indicators and the statewide community health assessment and improvement process. She designed the department’s strategic planning process, which resulted in Healthy Michigan 2000, the state’s first comprehensive plan of priorities, goals, and objectives for health improvement. Her expertise includes child welfare; public health, including maternal and child health, substance abuse prevention and treatment, infectious and chronic disease, and environmental health; early childhood education and care; health and human services integration; and health improvement partnership development. She specializes in the design of public dialogue and engagement, organizational development, and empowerment evaluation. Ms. Miel-Uken attended Michigan State University, receiving a BS cum laude in Socio-Legal Social Science and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration. Jane Powers
Jane Powers is vice president for community health at Public Sector Consultants. She conducts research, evaluation, and analysis on such health policy issues as Medicaid managed care, children’s health, and hospital conversions; writes reports, articles, and analyses of legislation; staffs partnerships, task forces, coalitions, and health care organizations; conducts focus groups; helps develop and analyze health care surveys; and monitors state and national public policy activities. She has been with the firm since 1999. Prior to joining PSC, Ms. Powers held several policy planning and analyst positions in the Michigan Department of Community Health (formerly Public Health), serving most recently as a senior analyst in the Comprehensive Health Plan Division. In her work in the department, she coordinated development of Healthy Michigan 2000, managed creation of the department’s Center for Healthy Infants and Pregnancies surveillance system, and developed guidance for the statewide community health improvement process. Ms. Powers holds a bachelor of science degree from Michigan State University in Public Affairs Management with a health emphasis. Peter Pratt
Peter Pratt is senior vice president for health and human services at Public Sector Consultants. He oversees health care consulting services and related publications, conducts research and writes policy reports and program evaluations, facilitates coalitions, and conducts focus groups. He has been with the company since 1986. In addition to research for PSC clients on health care, Mr. Pratt is widely known for his work on community health assessment and improvement, consumer health, Medicaid, access to health care, and hospital and pharmaceutical cost containment strategies. He is a frequent speaker on a broad range of health care topics. He also is well versed in ways in which nonprofit human services organizations can communicate effectively with policymakers and has made presentations to state coalitions and national foundations on this topic. Before joining PSC, Mr. Pratt taught at Michigan State University. He attended the University of Michigan, earning a BA, MA, and PhD in English.
Shivaugn Rayl joined PSC as a consultant for natural resource policy in 2007 after interning with the company’s natural resource division working on environmental issues. Ms. Rayl conducts research for the firm and its clients, assists with developing proposals, and writes reports. She also serves as assistant manager for the Great Lakes Fishery Trust, a multimillion dollar private foundation managed by PSC. In this capacity, she manages grants made to a variety of nonprofit and governmental entities. Her previous experience includes work for an environmental planning firm in Perth, Australia, in the areas of surface water management and water allocation in western Australia. Ms. Rayl earned her juris doctor degree from the Michigan State University College of Law, with a certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law. She holds a BS from MSU in Resource Development, with a specialization in Environmental Economics. Craig Ruff
Craig Ruff is a senior policy fellow at Public Sector Consultants. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Ruff spent eleven years in Michigan's executive office, first as special assistant for human services to Gov. William G. Milliken and then as chief of staff to Lt. Gov. James H. Brickley. He developed legislation, coordinated interdepartmental policies, reviewed agency budgets, and worked closely with numerous professional associations and interest groups. Mr. Ruff has been with the firm since 1983 and was president from 1986 to 2005. As senior consultant to many of the company's clients, he directs research studies, develops promotional and advocacy strategies, and oversees the management of specific issues for clients. He has authored research studies and publications on health care, education, information technology, and other public policy issues. Mr. Ruff is an adjunct lecturer at the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. As the first holder of the Robert and Marjorie Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government at Central Michigan University from 2001 to 2003, he taught a weekly seminar on American government and led two public policy forums annually. He received the highest recognition-for distinguished service-from the University of Michigan Alumni Association in 2001. He currently chairs the boards of the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Partnership for Learning and is a member of the board of Michigan Future, The Civics Institute, Michigan's Children, and the Foundation for Michigan's Future. He has served on numerous other statewide and mid-Michigan healthcare, education, arts, and youth organization boards. Mr. Ruff attended the University of Michigan, earning a BA in Political Science and a master's degree in Public Policy Studies. William Rustem
William Rustem is president and CEO of Public Sector Consultants. Before joining the firm, Mr. Rustem was Gov. William G. Milliken’s chief staff advisor on environmental matters and interim director of the Toxic Substances Control Commission. Following his service with the State of Michigan, Mr. Rustem became the first executive director of the newly established Center for the Great Lakes in Chicago. Mr. Rustem acquired special expertise in issue campaigns. He coordinated the petition drive and campaign in 1976 for the Michigan “bottle bill,” and coordinated the 1984 statewide campaign for the constitutional amendment creating a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. Since joining Public Sector Consultants, he has directed studies on the status of Michigan cities, wastewater treatment needs, recycling, and land use. Mr. Rustem holds special expertise in public policy relating to land use, urban development, and water policy. He is an adjunct professor in three colleges at Michigan State University, and has chaired or been the principal staff for statewide task forces on Department of Natural Resources organization, the MSU Museum, wetland protection, and the Michigan Land Use Leadership Council. He is also the program director for the People and Land Project, a grant-making program at the W. K. Kellogg Foundation.
Ken Sikkema is a senior policy fellow at Public Sector Consultants. His areas of concentration at PSC include public finance, environment, and energy policy. His background in state government and experience in the legislature are particularly useful to organizations seeking to move the state’s public policy agenda forward in innovative and creative ways. He is also an adjunct professor at Grand Valley State University and the director of its Public Policy Institute. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Sikkema served in the Michigan House of Representatives for six terms and in the Michigan Senate for two terms. In the House he served as Majority Floor Leader from 1995–96 and as the Republican Leader from 1997–98. In the Senate he served as the Senate Majority Leader from 2002–06. Prior to his service in the Michigan Legislature, Mr. Sikkema was market manager for Herman Miller Inc., in Zeeland, Michigan. Mr. Sikkema is a 1974 cum laude graduate of Harvard University with a BA in History. He received his MBA with Distinction from the University of Michigan School of Business Administration in 1984.
Krishnan Sudharsan is a consultant for public policy at Public Sector Consultants. His responsibilities include database management, statistical analyses, survey development, and public policy analyses. In addition he assists the firm in developing proposals and exploring new project ideas. Prior to joining PSC in 2008, Mr. Sudharsan worked on wide-ranging research projects. As a research assistant at Michigan State University, he worked on a project examining bovine tuberculosis issues in Michigan deer, as well as a project for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that examined the role of complexity, aesthetics, and usability during the website design process. Mr. Sudharsan’s international work experience includes research at the National Environmental Research Institute, University of Aarhus, Denmark, where he investigated the decline of grey partridge populations using agent-based modeling (ABM) techniques. Mr. Sudharsan holds a BS from the University of Maine in Wildlife Ecology with a minor in Resources Economics and Policy; an MPA with a concentration in Microeconomics from the George Washington University, and an MS in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University, where he is currently pursuing a PhD in Fisheries and Wildlife.
Sally Talberg joined PSC in 2008 as a senior consultant for energy and environment. She conducts research and analyses and writes reports on environment and energy policy issues for the firm and its clients. Ms. Talberg brings considerable experience in the areas of electricity generation and transmission policy and regulation, as well as environmental policy and regulation. She previously served as departmental analyst at the Michigan Public Service Commission, environmental quality analyst at the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, lead electric policy analyst in the Policy Development Division of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and policy specialist at the Michigan Environmental Council. Her expertise includes research on and analysis of energy issues at the state, regional, and federal level involving electric rates, retail and wholesale market design, customer protection, transmission planning and siting, and interconnection of new electric generating facilities. In addition, Ms. Talberg has negotiated settlements, managed contested cases and rulemaking proceedings, developed environmental and safety compliance tools, and facilitated discussion among utilities, regulators, and other stakeholders. She also serves as assistant manager for People and Land (PAL), a multi-million dollar grant program focused on sustainable development, overseeing its daily operations and providing grant-management services. Ms. Talberg holds a BS in Environmental and Natural Resources Policy Studies from Michigan State University and an MPA from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas-Austin.
Donna Van Natter is a consultant for technology and business processes at Public Sector Consultants. She works with PSC project managers and clients on projects requiring computer programming, including databases, websites, and graphical interfaces. Additionally, she is responsible for the design of logos, printed materials, and websites for both clients and the firm. She is proficient in numerous design programs, including Acrobat, DreamWeaver, PageMaker, Illustrator, NCS DesignExpert, Photoshop, and InDesign. Prior to joining PSC in 2002, Ms. Van Natter was the graphic designer /marketing assistant with Michigan Chamber Services Inc., a division of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. While there she planned, implemented, and promoted seminars and conferences statewide, and developed and coordinated the marketing materials (printed materials and Web pages) for these events. Ms. Van Natter holds an associate’s degree in Graphic Design from Lansing Community College.
Craig Wiles is a consultant for survey research at Public Sector Consultants. Mr. Wiles has expertise with both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including surveys, interviews and focus groups, case studies, and program evaluation. He conducts all aspects of the research process, including methodology, instrument development, sampling and data collection, analysis, report writing, and presentation of findings. In addition, Mr. Wiles assists other PSC staff with questions of methodology, statistics, and analysis. He is also skilled in geographic information system (GIS) analysis. Prior to joining PSC in 2006, Mr. Wiles was a graduate research assistant in the Department of Park, Recreation, and Tourism Resources at Michigan State University (MSU) and the MSU Museum. He was also a research associate with the MSU tourism center. His experience also includes several years as an educator and strategic marketing and project management in the private sector. Mr. Wiles holds a BA in History with honors, with completion of a secondary teaching certificate and an MS in Community, Agriculture, Recreation, and Resource Studies, both from MSU. He has completed additional training in Social Science Research Methods at the MSU Graduate College.
Jeff Williams is senior vice president for technology and public policy at Public Sector Consultants. He advises the firm’s clients on technology issues and supervises the firm's internal and external information services and staff. Mr. Williams also conducts research and analysis on health policy and education issues and supervises PSC’s public opinion and stakeholder survey research. He has been with the firm since 1991, serving first as an administrative assistant for survey research, then technology consultant, and then senior consultant. Prior to joining PSC, Mr. Williams was a program officer at the Midwestern Higher Education Commission. While at the commission, he provided staff support to the Telecommunications Committee and assisted with management of a nine-state, $18-million distance learning/interactive video equipment purchase program. He also provided staff support to the commission's Risk Management and Academic Course Scheduling Committees. Mr. Williams completed an undergraduate degree with honors in International Relations from Michigan State University. He holds a master’s degree in Technology and Public Affairs from the University of Minnesota and is certified by the Project Management Institute as a Project Management Professional (PMP). |
