Gov. Engler appoints Kulhavi as Trustee

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Gov. John Engler appointed John G. Kulhavi to the CMU Board of Trustees Tuesday.

Kulhavi, White Lake native, is senior vice president for investments for Merrill Lynch in Farmington Hills.

A CMU alumnus, Kulhavi has remained involved with the university since he graduated in 1965.

He is a member of the Development Board, chair of the Investment Committee and a member of the Business Advisory Committee for the College of Business Administration.

He also has been involved in the Army ROTC department.
Kulhavi spoke with the governor about his interest in serving on the Board last year if a position were to open up. He replaces Heather Gardner, who resigned from the Board in April.

“I plan on being an active, positive influence,” Kulhavi said. “There’s so much talent on that Board. I think they’re going to accomplish great things over the years, especially with (University) President (Michael) Rao’s progressive thinking at the helm.”

Kulhavi is in the process of familiarizing himself with Board policies and practices before his first meeting with the other members in July.

“It gives me a little time to learn about what has transpired in the recent past, and the type of actions that are in place currently,” he said.

Kulhavi’s involvement with CMU has helped maintain some familiarity with the events and issues at the university, but not as aware as the Board.

His term on the Board expires Dec. 31, 2008, and Kulhavi is happy with the length of time.

“I’m happy to have a long tenure because it gives me a longer time to acclimate myself and my knowledge on the issues,” he said. “I hope to be a very active participant and a positive influence on the university.”

Kulhavi graduated from CMU with a bachelor’s degree in applied arts and sciences and a bachelor’s degree in education.

He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army, and served on active duty in aviation from 1965 to 1969 in a variety of assignments, including duty in the Republic of Vietnam as Counterinsurgency Section Leader with Company A, 25th Aviation Battalion, 25th Infantry Division.

After his four years of active duty, he served in the Army Reserve, rising to the rank of brigadier general. He retired from the Army in 2000.

He has continued his involvement with Army and the CMU ROTC by participating in military ceremonies, and sponsors and annual ROTC scholarship.

“He’s a star supporter of the ROTC program. He’s a member of Hall of Fame and a member of the ROTC Alumni Executive Board. He also supports the university a lot,” said Lt. Col. Charles Minyard, former chair of CMU military science.

Kulhavi served as chair of the Vietnam Monument Commission for four years until the monument was completed Nov. 11, 2001.