Meet the Staff
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Patrick Lindsey Patrick O. Lindsey joined Wayne State University as Vice President for Government and Community Affairs on January 1, 2012. Patrick is a Detroit native with more than 25 years’ experience in the corporate and nonprofit sectors. Patrick came to Wayne State from Detroit-based Focus: HOPE, where he was Director of External Relations and Development, where he led their communications, government relations and fundraising efforts. Prior to that, Patrick enjoyed a 20-year career with Chrysler, where he most recently was Senior Manager of State Relations. In that role, he led state and local government relations initiatives including legislative lobbying, negotiation of economic incentives on corporate investments, and establishing and maintaining relationships with key public officials. He managed a government relations portfolio consisting of 10 states and the City of Detroit. He also served Chrysler as Manager of Community Relations and in Corporate and Plant Security Operations. Patrick holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan. He lives in Detroit with his wife, Kathy, and children Kendall and Kaylyn. He also serves as pastor of Greater Bibleway Baptist Church in Detroit. |
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Greg Bird Director of State Relations (313) 577-0091 (Campus Office) (517) 371-1400 (Lansing Office) Greg joined the Office of Government and Community Affairs as Director of State Relations in November 2008. As Director of State Relations, Greg serves as the primary contact and principal lobbyist for the University in its relationship with the Governor, the State Legislature, and state departments and department officials. Prior to joining Wayne State, Greg spent more than 12 years in state government working in the Executive Branch, both chambers of the legislature and in the Office of the Attorney General. Most recently, Greg held the positions as Press Secretary to the Speaker of the House and Director of Communications for the Office of the State Budget. Greg has also spent time working on political campaigns at the local, state and federal levels. He holds a BA in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy from Michigan State University’s James Madison College. |
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Community Relations Specialist (currently vacant) |
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Victor Green Victor joined the Office of Government and Community Affairs as the Director of Community Relations in April 2005. In this capacity, he is the liaison between the university and the metropolitan area Detroit. He promotes the urban mission of the University through building, developing and sustaining partnerships in the community. Prior to joining Wayne State, Victor served as an inspector of internal affairs and community relations for the Kalamazoo Police Department. He was a board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Kalamazoo, an adjunct professor at Kalamazoo Valley Community College Police Academy and Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, MI, and a congressional assistant to Congressman Howard Wolpe and Congressman Fred Upton. Victor is a native of Detroit and a graduate of Renaissance High School. He holds a BS and Master of Public Administration from Western Michigan University. |
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Harvard James III Harvard joined the Office of Government and Community Affairs as a Data and Grassroots Specialist in May 2007. Harvard is responsible for maintaining the Take Action database for the university’s grassroots activities. He develops database formats for all staff and maintains the quality of the Government Affairs web site. Prior to joining the office, Harvard served as a System Support Specialist for Michigan First Credit Union. Harvard attends Wayne State and is working toward a BS in Computer Science. |
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Karen Vest Karen joined the Office of Government and Community Affairs in December 2001 as the executive assistant to the vice president. In her current position as the office’s business manager, she is responsible for the day-to-day financial operations of the office, supervision of the administrative staff, human resources management and training. She is the liaison with staff in the President’s office and the Secretary to the Board of Governors. She assists at events sponsored by the office on campus or, at times, in the community. Prior to joining Wayne State, Karen served as the senior government relations specialist for Kmart Corporation in Troy, MI. There she researched, analyzed and monitored multiple federal, state and local legislative and regulatory issues in 35 states. She represented the corporation on the boards of state and national retail associations, and was a board member and legislative representative for Kmart on the Troy, MI, Chamber of Commerce. Karen holds an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Oakland Community College and is working toward a BA in Public Administration at Wayne State University. |
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James Williams In his more than 20 years in Washington, DC, James has worked with six members of Congress, and has extensive experience addressing issues affecting Michigan. He has an broad list of legislative achievements, including playing a valuable role in helping to get two reauthorizations of the Higher Education Act signed into law; serving as one of principal individuals who drafted certain language in the Civil Rights Act of 1991; and helping to secure more than $700 million in appropriations funding earmarked for academic, defense, health care and transportation needs of the state of Michigan. A native of Washington, DC, James holds a degree in Public Administration and History from Fisk University. |
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Alyson Wrase Alyson joined the Office of Government and Community Affairs in August 2005. Alyson serves primarily as scheduler and secretary for the Vice President. She also assists with federal affairs activities, provides support to the Washington office and coordinates the university’s congressional earmark requests. Prior to joining Wayne State, Alyson served as marketing coordinator at the Community Bank of Dearborn. She also worked for Congressman John D. Dingell in the district as a caseworker and legislative assistant. Alyson holds BA in political science from Wayne State University. |
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