ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Ann Arbor, MI – Governor Rick Snyder announced on Tuesday, March 6th the appointment of Merit Network CEO/President Donald Welch to the State 9-1-1 Committee. Welch serves as the Governor’s representative on the committee of 20 representatives from the law enforcement and public safety community, who work together to promote the successful development, implementation, and operation of 9-1-1 systems across the state of Michigan.
“I hope to utilize my experience and training in new technologies to assist the state as it migrates to a next generation 9-1-1 service. I am confident that a next generation system will greatly enhance the effectiveness of our first responders and have a significant impact on the quality of life for our citizens,” stated Welch.
Since 2006, Welch has served as president and CEO of Merit Network Inc., a nonprofit corporation owned and governed by Michigan’s public universities. Merit owns and operates America’s longest-running regional research and education network, headquartered in Ann Arbor, MI.
Previously, Welch served in the U.S. Army for nearly 25 years and as director of enterprise technology and merchandising applications with H-E-B, one of the nation’s largest independently owned food retailers. Welch holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanics from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in computer science from California Polytechnic State University and the University of Maryland, respectively.
Welch, lives in Ann Arbor, with his wife and four children and will serve a two-year term representing the general public on the committee.
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