BY BTL STAFF
ANN ARBOR – As they do each year at their December board meeting, the Jim Toy Community Center Board of Directors gathered to elect new leadership for 2017.
As the community enters into a year of political and cultural uncertainty, the JTTC's work to serve — and advocate on behalf of — the LGBTQ community of greater Washtenaw County will be more important than ever before. Their entire board is committed to defending the progress that the LGBTQ community has already made, fighting for the equal rights and protections that are still being denied to the community, and to building an inclusive community where people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity are visible and live together in equality, respect and happiness.
With that, it is JTTC's pleasure to introduce the community to their new leadership team.
Travis Radina, President
Upon graduating from the University of Michigan in 2008, Travis moved to the Lansing area and spent six years working in Michigan politics and government. In that time, he worked on the successful 2008 campaign of former Congressman Mark Schauer, was a Research & Press Assistant at the Michigan Democratic Party, and spent five years working in the legislative office of former Michigan State Representative and Democratic Floor Leader Kate Segal — initially as her Constituent Services Director, and later as her Legislative Director. He also served as Vice Chair of the Delta Township District Library Board of Trustees. Travis moved back to Ann Arbor in 2013 and currently works as Senior Global Engagement Manager at the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan. He has served on the Jim Toy Community Center Board of Directors for two years, previously holding the position of Secretary.
Elizabeth Janovic, Vice President
Elizabeth has served on the Jim Toy Community Center board since January 2016. She practices law with Wilson P. Tanner III, PLC, enjoying a general practice with concentrations in mediation, family law, criminal defense and copyright infringement defense. She also serves on Washtenaw County's Community Action Board. Elizabeth previously served on the executive board of the MSU College of Law Entertainment and Sports Law Journal, as president of the MSU College of Law Student Bar Association, and as an intern for United States Senator Carl Levin. Elizabeth proudly served in the U.S. Army 428th Military Police Company and as a cadet in the University of Notre Dame Army ROTC. She lived and studied in Rome, Italy, taught high school business courses, and worked for the University of Notre Dame. Elizabeth obtained a bachelor's degree in business and a secondary education teaching license from Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana.
Michael Anthony-Bowling, Secretary
Although always involved in grassroots organizing and activism, Michael's passion for social justice sparked when he took part in the AmeriCorps Service Scholar program as an undergraduate student, and became involved with the JTCC Public Policy Committee. Following that program, Michael studied at Eastern Michigan University for graduate school in the Social Foundations of Education and Nonprofit Management programs while serving as an instructor and the Graduate Assistant for the campus volunteer center. He is the co-founder of FTM A2 Ypsi, and he works full time at Growing Hope. Michael does free* private consulting for schools around trans inclusive policies, practices, and course materials, asking for a donation to the Jim Toy Community Center or FTM A2 Ypsi in lieu of accepting payment. Michael has served on the JTCC board for one year and is also the new Chair of JTCC's Public Policy Committee.
Leo Cartier, Jr., Treasurer
Leo graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2013. Following graduation, he spent a year working for the Michigan Democratic Party, with a focus on statewide messaging and research efforts. For the last two years, he has worked for the Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. His position as Convention Sales Manager has a diversity focus, with an emphasis on LGBTQ outreach and meetings. Leo served as Co-Chair of JTCC's 2016 OUTFest & Pride Picnic, resulting in new partnerships, sponsorships, and expanded festivities for the weekend. He was elected to the JTCC Board of Directors last summer.
