MIDLAND — The Mackinac Center for Public Policy today announced that Kent Herrick has joined its board of directors. Herrick’s father, Todd, served on the Center’s board in the 1990s.

“The Mackinac Center's work in legal studies, education policy, property rights and the state budget has been enormously influential and critically important,” Kent Herrick said.

Herrick took his seat on the 14-member board during its September 2007 meeting and will serve a three-year term. He is president of Thermogy, a start-up LLC focused on the development and commercialization of technologies related to combined heat and power alternative energy sources. The southeast Michigan native previously served as executive vice president of Tecumseh Products Company and holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Notre Dame.

“Todd Herrick served on our board in the 1990s and that family tradition is now bolstered by the addition of his son Kent,” said Mackinac Center President Lawrence W. Reed. “Both men are true believers in what the Mackinac Center does and have been faithful, annual givers of both resources and advice for most of our nearly 20-year history. We are proud and honored that Kent will be helping us build the future for us and for our state.”

Herrick, of Saline, said he sees the Mackinac Center as a “broker of information and ideas,” which is why he and his family have been long-time supporters.

“The Mackinac Center informs the debate that is essential to maintain principled public policy,” Herrick said. “Michigan is well served by having an organization with such a strong and steady voice."

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