Brian Brunner appointed by Gov. Snyder to Michigan Board of Podiactric Medicine and Surgery
Sara Winkler/Assistant Photo Editor Assistant Director of the Chippewa Athletic Fund Brian Brunner has been working to raise money for various sports and programs through the Carlin Alumni house at Central Michigan University since 2004. Brunner and his co-workers raised $1.2 million during the 2009-2010 year and he says they are always striving to help raise more for the university. "This past year was a record breaking year," said Brunner. "I think our fundraising efforts have improved exponentially."
Assistant Director of the Chippewa Athletic Fund Brian Brunner has been appointed to the Board of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder as a representative of the general public.
The nine-member board assists the state government in overseeing the practice of more than 840 Michigan podiatrists. Some board members are members of the public, while others are highly educated in the field of podiatric medicine and surgery.
Announced in a State of Michigan news release Tuesday, Brunner was selected to the board due to his "outstanding, diverse experiences."
"For me, as someone who has always been civic-minded and into politics, I was very excited about this opportunity to engage in our process," Brunner said.
Brunner, a former CMU starting quarterback, said the opportunity started during the Clash at Comerica between Central and Michigan State's baseball teams last May.
Kathy Wilbur, vice president of development and external affairs, had a suite for the game and was entertaining government officials who were friends of the university. One of Wilbur's guests was Nancy Short, deputy manager of appointments for Snyder.
"I was kind of mingling and talking to folks in the suite and I got talking to Nancy and gave her my card," Brunner said.
This fall, Short came to CMU for the football game against Navy and wanted to know what she could do for game day.
"I let her know that I would be happy to have her as a guest on the sideline. After that, (we) developed a working relationship," Brunner said.
At the time, Brunner didn't know she was the deputy manager of appointments, but he soon found out after Wilbur endorsed him as a candidate for a government board. Soon after, Short reached out for him for a spot on the Board of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery.
"I admittedly, like most people, have no knowledge of podietric medicine and surgery. I was up front about that, but I guess that's what they wanted," he said. "I have no experience on the topic except that I use my feet every day."
Brunner will not receive any money for being on the board, but will fulfill what he sees as a civic duty.
"As citizens, I think it's important to have our input anytime an agency is utilizing tax payer money," he said.
The board meets once every quarter in Lansing to review issues pertaining to the industry in Michigan.
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