Mindy Hummel, a 19-year State of Michigan employee, has joined Business Services Unit (BSU) as a Departmental Analyst.

She spent her first five years in the Department of Treasury as an accounting assistant before moving to the Department of Information Technology as the agency coordinator for wireless, fleet, MiPrint, Telecom and computers. She stayed with the agency after it was merged into DTMB, working most recently for the Office of Financial Services.

In her new position, Mindy will carry out a wide range of research and analysis assignments to support the MPSCS director, managers, supervisors and staff.

Mindy and her husband live in Eaton Rapids, and enjoy spending time with their daughter and granddaughter.

“I love the summer and you can usually find me either on the golf course or enjoying a ride with my husband on our Harley,” she said.

Vimal Kumar started March 21 as an IT Specialist in Public Safety Enterprise Service Unit (PSESU). He will work as a Solutions Architect supporting MPSCS network & systems integration as well as cybersecurity initiatives.

He previously worked as a contractor for MPSCS Engineering Services for 1.5 years before leaving in early 2020 for a position in the private sector.

“Vimal brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team,” said IT Manager Randy Williams.

Vimal earned an undergraduate degree in electronic & communication systems from Karnatak University, Dharwad, India, and an M.B.A. from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

Jim Lagendyk joined MPSCS in November as a Radio Tech at the Northern Region Service Center in Gaylord.

He has served for over 14 years in the Michigan Army National Guard, where he received his technical training. He served as a MOS 25Q Multichannel Transmission Systems Operator-Maintainer, working on communications systems at Camp Grayling.

Jim is originally from Big Rapids. He and his wife Allison have two daughters and one son and reside in the Roscommon area. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with his family.

Tara McLeod joins Business Services Unit (BSU) as a Departmental Analyst. She previously worked for the Michigan State Police (MSP).

A 2010 graduate of Arizona State University, she earned a degree in business and event management. During her six years of working for the MSP Communications Section. Tara primarily dealt with the statewide connectivity and telephony needs for the agency.

At MPSCS, she will help the BSU carry out various administrative tasks related to MPSCS services and programs.

A resident of Charlotte, Tara enjoys spending time with her two children, ages 4 & 9, reading and boating.

Lisa Vanderley joins Business Services (BSU) as a Departmental Analyst.

Previously, she worked for MDOT as a secretary for Traffic and Safety for more than eight years. Some of her key responsibilities included planning a large-scale annual conference, becoming a Teams and Teams Live Event super-user because of the pandemic, transitioning SharePoint pages to the Modern SharePoint versions including an informational page for all department employees, and other administrative duties. She will help out with various administrative and research duties at MPSCS.

Lisa earned her bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design in 2019 from Full Sail University of Winter Park, Fla.

She and her husband Brian reside in Eaton Rapids. They are looking forward to the weddings of both of their sons this summer. In her spare time, Lisa enjoys taking care of her horse, doing crafts, and traveling.

Radio Tech Dwane Armstrong retires after long MPSCS career 

Dwane Armstrong, a Radio Tech, retired April 1 from the Northern Region Service Center in Gaylord. He enjoyed a retirement lunch with Bob Olson, Northern Region Supervisor, and Joe Bertram, Support Services Manager – North, on March 31 in Gaylord.

Born and raised on the west side of Detroit, Dwane got his technical training at the Radio and Electronics Technical School in Detroit and Schoolcraft College in Livonia. He earned an associate degree in applied electronic technology.

After working in the private sector for about 10 years, he started working for the MDOT as a radio tech in the mid-1990s, eventually joining MPSCS as a Radio Tech 11. “I never had the desire for any other position as I enjoy working on and repairing equipment,” Dwane said.

Over the past 27.5 years, Dwane has worked in Lansing, Kalamazoo, Detroit, Brighton, Saginaw, Bay City, Gaylord, and finally Roscommon County, where he lives. One thing he won’t miss is his long commutes (including 2 hours and 20 minutes each way to Brighton).

“I worked wherever I was needed,” Dwane said. “It has been quite the ride, with many, many great memories and folks I’ve worked with over the years.”

During his retirement, Dwane plans to enjoy the Northland, and has lots of toys to play with – a pontoon boat, snowmobiles, dirt bikes, and several classic cars. He even constructed a new garage/shop to pursue his favorite pastime of tinkering with his vehicles and equipment. He regularly drives a 2007 Ford Mustang convertible and a 2011 Dodge Challenger RT, and also owns a 1970 Ford Torino Cobra 429C converted into a drag racer, and a 1970 Ford Torino GT convertible.