Meet our Board of Governors!

Suzanne R. Jones

Chairman

Ms. Jones is the Founder of Girls on the M.O.V.E. and a human resource professional with a diverse human resource scope of management experience that combines the world of business, with the field of education. She has also instructed college-level courses in human resources and other related business coursework.

Ms. Jones has a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree from Central Michigan University in Educational Administration. She currently holds her SHRM-SCP (Society for Human Resource Management-Senior Certified Professional) certification.

Ms. Jones created Girls on the M.O.V.E. TM©, a young women’s and girls' leadership program to help participants realize their full potential by teaching them important lifetime leadership concepts, including creating their own personal mission statement. The program is currently being offered at Columbia Schools (2016 - current), and has been previously offered to other area schools through Jackson Junior Welfare League, and has been hosted by the CMS (Community Minded Service) Club at Consumers Energy in past years.  Active in community work she was a past board member (2014-2017) and Warm the Children Chair (and Co-Chair) for Jackson Junior Welfare League (JJWL), currently serves as a Region 9 grant reviewer (6 area counties) for the Michigan Council of the Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) and is a regular volunteer for Sitting Tall Therapeutic Riding Camp. She was selected among national competition as a participant in the National Institute for Leadership Development—a leadership program for women in higher education.

Rubenn Lanphear

Vice Chairman

 Mr. Lanphear is a dedicated local business owner and entrepreneur with a strong commitment to the Jackson community. As the owner of RL Coatings, a custom powder coating business, he has played an integral role in supporting local industries and fostering economic growth in the area. His expertise in business operations, customer relations, and strategic planning has been key to his company’s success. 

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Lanphear has deep ties to the Jackson community. His two children have attended local schools, giving him a personal investment in the success and development of educational opportunities in the region. He is a strong advocate for the mission and vision of JPEC and is eager to contribute his business acumen and community-driven perspective to the Board. 

With a keen interest in student success and workforce readiness, Mr. Lanphear brings valuable insight into the skills and training needed to prepare students for future career.

Renee Novak-Arze, P.E.

Trustee

Ms. Novak-Arze, P.E., brings over 38 years of diverse experience in engineering and technical fields. She is a licensed Professional Engineer in Michigan and Nebraska, demonstrating her established expertise and adherence to professional standards. Her strong educational background includes a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University, a B.A. in Arts and Letters from Michigan State University, and an Associate in Science from Jackson Community College. Her professional affiliations include the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers (MSPE). 

Her technical specializations and representative experience span several critical areas, including project management (since 1998), transmission and distribution line design (since 1994 and 1990, respectively), other civil design work (since 1996), and technical writing (since 1986). Her experience includes working on projects across multiple states, such as Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Maine, and Alabama. 

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ms. Novak-Arzie has a demonstrated commitment to education and youth development through her significant volunteer activities. She has served as an Energizing Education Reading Mentor (2015-2020), a MathCounts Coach (since 2018), a FIRST LEGO League Jr Coach (2018-2020), and a FIRST Robotics Judge (2020-2021). These roles highlight her direct involvement in fostering student success and developing practical skills in young people.

Angela Corts

Trustee

Angela Corts, MA, LLMSW, QMHP, is a licensed behavioral health clinician, educator, and researcher with a multidisciplinary background. Holding dual Master’s degrees in Social Work and Arts from Western Michigan University, Angela brings an integrative, trauma-informed approach to clinical care, instruction, and community advocacy. In academia, Angela has contributed as an academic assistant at Western Michigan University and is a published researcher. Her 2024 presentation at the Society for Social Work and Research, titled “The Implicit Curriculum of a School of Social Work: Student Experiences."

Angela currently serves as a Crisis Clinician at LifeWays and also as a Clinical Therapist at Jackson Healing Clinic, specializing in eclectic therapy services for Jackson County residents and surrounding areas. Angela has extensive experience as a Qualified Mental Health Professional and Facility Coordinator for the Michigan Re-entry Project within the Michigan Department of Corrections, where she coordinated pre-parole programming and supported justice-involved individuals in successful community reintegration. Her past clinical expertise spans over 15 years in the healthcare system, notably at Henry Ford Jackson Hospital, where she served as an Emergency Medicine PCT. She has also held instructional roles within the health system, teaching orthopedic technician training and AIDET hospital communication, demonstrating recognized excellence in healthcare education. Her community involvement extends to board service with the Mental Healing Youth Organization and as a dedicated advocate for Indigenous rights and cultural inclusion. Angela has led and contributed to community events promoting cultural awareness and rights, including contributions to Western Michigan University’s updated Land Acknowledgement Statement.