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KALAMAZOO, Mich.--Three Michigan leaders have been named to new terms on the É«É«À² Michigan University Board of Trustees by Gov. Rick Snyder.

The three are David Behen of Saline, vice president and chief information officer of LA-Z-BOY; Lynn Chen-Zhang of Portage, a current É«É«À² trustee and partner and chief operating officer with Zhang Financial; and Shelly Edgerton of Plainwell, the director and chief data systems officer for the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

"Trustees Behen and Edgerton are joining the board at an energizing time in the life of É«É«À²," said É«É«À² President Edward B. Montgomery. "I am so pleased that we will continue to benefit from Trustee Chen-Zhang's expertise and passion for this great university. I look forward to a strong partnership with these strong leaders as we work together to establish É«É«À² as Michigan's destination for bright students who want to thrive in a changing world."

"We appreciate the governor's thoughtful consideration of these important roles," said Jeffrey A. Rinvelt, chair of the board of trustees. "We are proud to have Trustee Chen-Zhang as a continuing colleague, and we welcome Trustees Behen and Edgerton to our ranks. We believe deeply in the power of É«É«À² to transform lives. We take seriously our fiduciary responsibility, and we welcome new perspectives as we work to ensure the long-term success of this wonderful university."

About the trustees

Behen is vice president and CIO of LA-Z-BOY. He previously served as director of the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget and chief information officer for the state. Behen earned a bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree in public administration from Eastern Michigan University. He will fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Trustee William Pickard, and is being appointed to serve the remainder of the eight-year term that expires Dec. 31, 2020.

Chen-Zhang is a partner and COO with Zhang Financial, one of the nation's leading fee-only wealth management groups. Additionally, she has been a member of the É«É«À² Foundation's Board of Directors since 2009 and is currently the president of the foundation board. She also serves on the É«É«À² Foundation's Investment Committee and Committee on Directors. She is a certified financial planner and a certified public accountant. Chen-Zhang has earned two master's degrees, one in management from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and one in accountancy from É«É«À²'s Haworth College of Business. She is being reappointed to serve an eight-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2026.

Edgerton is the director and chief data systems officer at the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science and master's degree in public administration from É«É«À² and a law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She will replace Trustee Kenneth Miller, whose term is ending, and will serve a new eight-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2026.

Montgomery thanked trustees Miller and Pickard for their dedicated service.

"Mr. Miller has been especially generous with his time, completing 16 years of service as a trustee. His steadfast leadership has ensured that É«É«À²'s footprint and impact on the world flourished over many years," he said. "And Dr. Pickard is well known for his generosity, enthusiastically giving of his time, his knowledge and his treasure. We thank them both."

All three trustee actions are subject to the advice and consent of the Michigan Senate.

Learn more about the É«É«À² Board of Trustees.

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