FLINT, MI -- The president of Mott Community College has been appointed to the Great Lakes Water Authority Board of Directors, giving Flint a voice on the panel for the first time.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointment of Beverly Walker-Griffea in a news release Wednesday, Aug. 28, citing her “wide-ranging expertise," professional and personal achievements as reasons she was the most qualified candidate for the position.

In addition to her work at MCC, Walker-Griffea is a member of the Greater Flint Health Coalition Board of Directors, McLaren Health Care of Flint Board of Trustees, the Metro Community Development Board of Directors and Carriage Town Ministries Board of Directors.

Mayor Karen Weaver, who had initially recommended another candidate for the position, called Walker-Griffea “an excellent choice" in a statement issued by her office.

Weaver had suggested in March that Flint attorney Loyst Fletcher would be appointed to the GLWA board, but through a city spokeswoman the mayor declined to comment on the different direction taken by Whitmer.

“I would like to thank Governor Whitmer for appointing Dr. Walker-Griffea to the (GLWA board),” the mayor’s statement says. “Her decision today has helped us fulfill the promise we made to have representation at the GLWA table.”

The administration of former Gov. Rick Snyder made the commitment to appoint a Flint resident to the GLWA board some 20 months ago provided the city signed a new 30-year contract to continue buying pre-treated water from the authority.

GLWA board members must have at least seven years experience in a regulated industry, like utility, engineering, finance, accounting or law; may not have been convicted of a felony and can’t have conflicts of interest related to themselves or certain family members doing business with GLWA.

Whitmer’s news release about the appointment says Walker-Griffea earned her bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University, a master’s degree from Virginia State University and a doctorate from Texas Woman’s University.

Her appointment expires Dec. 12, 2022.

GLWA was formally created on Oct. 10, 2014. The state, city of Detroit, and the counties of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne signed a memorandum of understanding, creating the regional water authority.

Its board has six members --one appointed from each county, two members appointed from the city of Detroit, and one member appointed by the governor.