Terri Lynn Land Addresses ACC Boards

The ACC Board of Directors and Advisory Board meeting was held at ACC Detroit Headquarters. Dr Haifa Fakhouri, ACC’s President and CEO welcomed guests and guest of honor Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land. Dr Fakhouri shared exciting news about a number of collaborations and new projects that ACC is currently involved in.

Dr. Shukri David, Chairman of the Board commended ACC on its 26th Annual Civic & Humanitarian Awards Gala. The gala’s theme this year was Celebrating Women of Achievement.

Dr. David introduced the Honorable Secretary of State who was elected to serve as Michigan’s 41st Secretary of State in November of 2002 and assumed office on January 1, 2003. In her comments Secretary Land stated that she plans to continue to build upon the Department of State’s technology base and expand user-friendly programs that would increase the number of internet use for state sponsored services. Secretary Land stated that she is committed to providing the highest level of customer service by delivering the most cost effective and efficient services possible. A willingness to listen and learn from customers and employees is one of her top priorities.

Secretary Land discussed her future goals and objectives. Land works on the Department of State Branch Services and Elections, both areas deal with serving the public. Elections created consolidated elections last year. As a result of consolidated elections the state went from a multiple number of elections to four elections. Due to these consolidated elections more people are voting and getting involved. Another change made by Branch Services was the Modernization Plan, which was the consolidation of over 30 branches. The consolidation of secretary of state offices allowed for more services and extended hours while maintaining the same number of employees.

Secretary Land also announced that the federal government allocated 3.2 billion dollars to the states. The State of Michigan was awarded 100 million dollars to upgrade voting equipment to an optical scan system. Although this upgrade will take a total of two years, the new system is more accurate and cost effective.

In congruence with her goal to create more effective and efficient system, Secretary Land shared the news of a new pilot project. This project is a result of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which requires a passport to travel to Canada and the Caribbean Islands by 2008, and the Real ID ACT, which requires all states to have the same driver’s license. The project will be to pilot a “Universal ID”. This Universal ID would combine state driver’s license and Passport information.

In conclusion Secretary Land thanked the ACC for their 26 years of service to the state of Michigan and for assisting the Secretary of State staff in conducting the Michigan drivers test.