Julie Pioch has been named district coordinator for Michigan State University Extension District 13 (Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties). Pioch assumed the role Nov. 3 after two decades of experience with MSU Extension. She replaces Ginger Hentz, who will retire at the end of 2014.
Pioch is currently president of the Paw Paw Area Chamber of Commerce and vice president of the Michigan State Association of Parliamentarians. She plans to further her knowledge and expand her management and planning reach in her new position.
Richard Wooten was named interim district coordinator for Michigan State University Extension District 11 (Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties) as of Oct. 1. Wooten brings years of experience and will serve alongside Marie Ruemenapp and newly appointed intern district coordinator Edward Scott.
Wooten most recently served as an MSU Extension educator focusing on land use planning and urban development and revitalization. He was involved with the government and public policy work group of MSU Extension and also previously served as the MSU Extension ombudsman. He plans to continue his work as an Extension educator in his new position.
Jennifer Berkey has been named the interim coordinator for Michigan State University Extension District 3 (Cheboygan, Emmet, Charlevoix, Antrim, Kalkaska, Grand Traverse, Benzie, Manistee and Leelanau counties). She assumed the role Oct. 1, replacing Patrick Cudney, who was named MSU Extension associate director of operations.
Berkey was most recently an MSU Extension educator focusing on food safety, nutrition and physical activity. She worked with an MSU Extension team to develop resource materials, including recipe cards, which were distributed at farmers’ markets to increase public awareness and encourage consumers to purchase Michigan-grown food and ingredients. She plans to continue in these awareness and encouragement efforts in her new position.
“District coordinators are critical to MSU Extension’s ability to move Michigan forward,” said new associate director of operations Patrick Cudney. “They are working with local governments, nonprofits, school systems and neighborhood groups to help ensure that Extension provides the knowledge and resources necessary to identify community challenges and propose and implement successful solutions.”