Board of Directors

Thomas H. Fancher - President

Mr. Thomas Fancher, a Saginaw County Bar Association appointee, has served as a Board Member for over 10 years. Mr. Fancher has served as a Vice-President of the Board since 1990, and in 2002 became President. He has also been part of LSEM's pro bono panel since 1986. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law. He has been in private practice, worked as a staff attorney at UAW-GM Legal Services, and is now a City Attorney for the City of Saginaw. In all Mr. Fancher has over 20 years of legal experience. In addition to his service on the LSEM Board, Mr. Fancher is active in the Saginaw County Bar Association as a member of the Continuing Legal Education Committee and as a Law Day Coach.

John Wilhelm - Vice President

Mr. John Wilhelm is a 20-year attorney Board member appointed by the Saginaw County Bar Association. He served several terms as a Board Vice-President and from 1998-2001 served as President. In 2002 he again assumed the position of a Vice-President. Mr. Wilhelm has been actively involved in the evaluation of LSEM and revision of its priorities. During his tenure as President, LSEM added new legal specialties. He also served as a Board representative to reconfiguration discussions, and will continue to do so. Mr. Wilhelm earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan. He also has a Master of Arts in Political Science from Michigan State University. Mr. Wilhelm was a faculty member at Delta College from 1968 until 2001 when he retired.

Ruth Forcia - Vice President

Ms. Ruth Forcia is a client Board Member who was appointed by Krapohl Senior Center in Flint in 2001. Ms. Forcia is a retired Supervisor of Housekeeping for St. Joseph's Convalescent Center. After retirement, Ms. Forcia provided in-home assistance to seniors so they could retain the independence of living in their own homes. She is actively involved in Krapohl Senior Center. Ms. Forcia provides the perspective of how various legal issues may impact seniors. She was appointed as a Board Vice-President in 2002.

Daniel Bremer - Treasurer

Daniel Bremer has served on the LSEM Board for over 20 years. He is an attorney Board member appointed by the Genesee County Bar Association. He serves as Board Treasurer. Mr. Bremer earned his Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University School of Law. He practiced in the state of Colorado for one year. He briefly served as an LSEM staff attorney and then returned to private practice. Mr. Bremer has practiced law in Flint for 23 years.

Gary Shirely - Secretary

Mr. Gary Shirely is a client Board Member who was appointed by 8-Cap, a community action agency, in 2001. Mr. Shirely lives in Gratiot County, a largely rural county, and is available to help identify the unique legal needs of such areas and give input in how to address them. He was appointed to serve as Board Secretary in 2002.

Nancy Abraham - Member

Chris Christenson - Member

Eunice Ervin- Member

Eunice Earvin is a client Board member who has served for 7 years. She was appointed by the Tri-County Fair Housing Center. Ms. Earvin is a Teacher's Aide at Weber Elementary School in Saginaw. She is a highly motivated community volunteer who serves on the Human Relations Commission and is active in Advocacy for Justice. Her viewpoint as a single parent provides insight into issues that the Board must consider when evaluating program priorities.

John P. Lozano - Member

John P. Lozano is an attorney who was appointed by the Saginaw County Bar Association to the LSEM Board of Directors for a three-year term in February 2002. He earned his Juris Doctorate from University of Toledo-College of Law and has a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Ohio State University. He is currently in private practice. Mr. Lozano also worked for 2 years as a staff attorney for UAW-GM Legal Services Plan. However, he started his legal career as a housing and public benefits attorney at LSEM, where he was a member of the Saginaw office staff for three years. His experience at LSEM gives Mr. Lozano an understanding of the legal needs of the indigent. Since leaving LSEM as a paid staff member he has donated many hours to its clients as a pro bono attorney and presently serves as the Chairman of the Saginaw County Bar Pro Bono Committee.

Laverne Williams - Member

Ms. Laverne Williams is a client Board member who has served for 9 years. She is an appointee of the Urban League of Flint. Clients such as Ms. Williams give the Board the opportunity to hear first hand about the issues that are important to the population LSEM serves. Her past employment includes work as a nurse's aide and a secretary/assistant clerk. She is currently attending Mott Adult Trade Center to study tailoring and is enrolled in a paralegal program at Mott Community College. In addition to service on the LSEM Board, Ms. Williams is also active in a local Welfare Rights Organization.

Ravi Yalamanchi - Member