LANSING — Recently named House Democratic Caucus Whip, State Rep. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield), has chosen five assistant whips to help him focus and direct the caucus’s efforts in 99th session of the Michigan House of Representatives. They are state Reps. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor), Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn), Frank Liberati (D-Allen Park), Sheldon Neeley (D-Flint) and John Kivela (D-Marquette).
“I’m proud to serve as House Democratic Caucus Whip and work with my team to push for our legislative priorities that include building an economy that works for everyone, holding government accountable, and investing in schools, communities and infrastructure,” Rep. Moss said. “We’ll work every day to provide a voice for Michigan’s citizens while opposing out-of-touch Republican priorities, including their plan to dismantle the prevailing wage laws that ensure fair wages for workers.”
Rep. Geiss, beginning her second term for the 12th House District, is a small-business owner, operating a home-based editing business and is an adjunct faculty member in the humanities at Wayne County Community College District. She earned her bachelor’s degree in developmental psychology from Brandeis University and her master’s degree in art and architectural history from Tufts University. She and her husband are raising their two children in Taylor.
Rep. Hammoud, serving his first term for the 15th House District, was born and raised in Dearborn and is the son of immigrant parents and a product of Dearborn Public Schools. He worked as a healthcare consultant for three years and volunteered with the United Nations Relief and Work Agency. He earned his bachelor’s in science from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and continued on to earn his master’s in public health from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
Rep. Liberati, serving his second term for the 13th House District, has been the owner of Liberati’s Italian Deli and Bakery for over 14 years and was a former marketing manager for two unionized semi-trailer manufacturing companies. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University.
Rep. Neeley, starting his second term for the 34th House District, was a Flint City Councilman for nine years and was the first African-American councilman to represent the 6th Ward. He is the former president of the local Nabet-CWA union and worked for 10 years in Flint Community Schools as a counselor. Rep. Neeley works as a broadcast engineer for WJRT-12 TV and is the director of Flint City Junior Golf.
Rep. Kivela, serving his third term for the 109th House District, worked in the automotive field, first in his family’s auto repair and distributor business, then as the general manager of his local used car dealership. He served as mayor of Marquette from 2008 to 2012. He was first elected to the Marquette City Commission in 2006.
“The Democratic whip team looks forward to pushing policies that will bring positive change to Michigan, and will be ready to stand up against extreme measures that support Michigan’s wealthiest individuals, but make it harder for most Michigan residents to find a good-paying job,” Rep. Moss said.