Capitol News

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has appointed Judd Herzer, the mobility director at Michigan State University (MSU), to the Michigan Council on Future Mobility and Electrification (CFME). The council advises the governor, state government departments, and the Legislature by providing annual recommendations on policy changes to maintain Michigan's leadership in transportation solutions related to mobility and electrification.

Herzer replaces MSU Distinguished Professor Emeritus Satish Udpa, who resigned last year after a decade of service on the state's mobility advisory council. Udpa also served as acting president of MSU and former dean of the College of Engineering. "I would like to thank Dr. Udpa for his many years of service to the state of Michigan and MSU through his efforts on this council," stated MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. He added that while Udpa leaves significant shoes to fill, Herzer is well-suited to continue representing Spartan interests in Michigan’s mobility ecosystem.

Herzer will represent MSU, recently recognized as an official Michigan Mobility Testing Asset due to its advanced research in mobility and transportation sciences. John Papapolymerou, interim dean of the College of Engineering at MSU, expressed pride in contributing to mobility and electrification solutions for the state: "We are grateful that Judd Herzer will continue to build upon the strong foundation that Satish Udpa created by opening doors through collaborations between academia, industry and policymakers while serving on the CFME."

Before joining MSU in 2023, Herzer was director of strategic policy at the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and served as infrastructure and technology advisor in Gov. Whitmer's Executive Office. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and economics along with a Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University.

"I am humbled by this appointment and grateful for the governor’s confidence," said Herzer about his new role. "Being a part of the council is an incredible opportunity to combine my public policy background and the latest advancements in mobility developed by Spartan researchers to help drive Michigan’s mobility future forward."