By Friend of the Court Bureau
By now it is common knowledge that many jobs have shifted since the COVID-19 pandemic began – a phenomenon referred to as “The Great Resignation.” The friend of the court (FOC) world has not been immune to such shifts. In fact, since our last article introducing new FOC directors in July 2019, the FOC director has changed in 21 offices, with at least three more to change early in 2022. We thought it was time to introduce some of these new or transplanted directors.
Jesse Ammerman
Friend of the Court41st Circuit Court, Iron County
Education
and experience:
- Bachelor of Arts, University of Iowa
- Juris Doctor, University of Illinois-Chicago School of Law
I have a background in family law as an attorney, and I always appreciated the opportunity to help people work through custody and other issues as they faced crossroads in their lives. I was working as the Assistant Prosecutor for Iron County when I applied for this position.
Interests
and activities:
Spending
time with family, walking our dogs, trying to keep a garden under control each
summer.
What
motivates you about your job?
Having a
chance to make some kind of meaningful impact in people's lives. In this role,
even the advice that seems small and inconsequential to us can make a huge
difference for people down the road.
What is
your favorite quote?
“When the
going gets tough, the tough get going.” – Original source unknown; popularized
by Billy Ocean
Kathleen Curtis
Friend of the Court54th Circuit Court, Tuscola County
Education
and experience:
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science; Spanish; and Secondary Education, Aquinas College
- Masters of Public Administration, University of Colorado
I worked
for the State of Michigan for nine years. I spent three of those years with the
Department of Education, Office of Great Start. The last six years I worked for
the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services as an Eligibility
Specialist Lead Worker.
Interests
and activities:
I have been
married for seven years and we have a 4-year-old son. We love to spend time at
our cottage on the lake, travel, and we are huge Notre Dame football fans.
What
motivates you about your job?
The
children we serve motivate me. This isn't about the adults; this is about doing
what is best for the children.
What is
your favorite quote?
“When the
power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” – Jimi
Hendrix
Amanda J. Guarisco
Friend of the Court57th Circuit Court, Emmet County
Education
and experience:
- Bachelor of Social Work, Spring Arbor University
- Master of Science in Administration, Central Michigan University
I have
previously worked as a Children’s Protective Services Investigator for the
State of Michigan and as a Family Specialist with Northern Family Intervention
Services.
Interests
and activities:
Enjoying
all of the outdoor activities beautiful northern Michigan has to offer and
spending as much time as possible with my three children.
What
motivates you about your job?
Helping
other families to have a successful and cohesive coparenting relationship and
ensuring the children of our community are adequately and properly supported by
using my education, skills, and own personal experiences from 12 years of
coparenting.
What is
your favorite quote?
“If you are
not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no
one can stop you.” - Zig Ziglar
Tara Hofmeister
Friend of the Court10th Circuit Court, Saginaw County
Education
and experience:
- Bachelor of Arts, Alma College
- Juris Doctor, Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School
I was in
private practice for eight years – mainly in family law, served as Tuscola
County Family Court Referee for over five years, and worked as Tuscola County
Friend of the Court interim director for approximately three months.
Interests
and activities:
I enjoy
reading, walking, and watching my children play sports. I also like to build LEGO sets; I’m working
on the University of Michigan football stadium right now.
What
motivates you about your job?
I enjoy the
fact that I am helping families.
What is
your favorite quote?
“Making
mistakes is better than faking perfection.” - Anonymous
Emil
Joseph, III
Friend of
the Court40th Circuit Court, Lapeer County
Education
and experience:
- Bachelor of Arts in History and Economics/Management, Albion College
- Juris Doctor, Michigan State University College of Law
I was previously employed as a Lapeer County Assistant Prosecutor before applying for and accepting the role of Domestic Relations Referee in 2017. In January 2021, after the election of Hon. Michael Hodges, I was appointed interim director of the FOC until I was appointed to the position in March 2021.
Interests
and activities:
My wife and
I had our first child this past March (2021). We are very blessed to have him
in our lives, but it has been a big adjustment.
What motivates
you about your job?
My primary
motivator is acknowledgment that the work we do directly impacts the lives of our
clients and their families.
What is
your favorite quote?
“The only
thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” –
attributed to Edmund Burke
Bobbi Keefer
Friend of the Court51st Circuit Court, Lake County
Education
and experience:
- Bachelor of Business Administration (Leadership Studies Concentration), Baker College of Cadillac
- Master of Business Administration (Leadership Studies Concentration, Minor in Health Care Administration), Baker College Center for Graduate Studies
In the six
years I've been employed by Lake County, I have held several positions that
have prepared me for Friend of the Court. Each position has contributed to the
role. I was a Deputy Clerk/Register of Deeds in the Lake County Clerk/Register
of Deeds Office. After that, I became the Office Administrator for the Lake
County Prosecutor's Office. Then, I was Juvenile Register and Intake Supervisor
for the Lake County Trial Court. I now hold the position of Lake County Friend
of the Court.
Interests
and activities:
I am a
voracious reader and book lover – mostly thrillers and suspense novels. I enjoy
true crime and documentaries. My husband and two grown children are the most
important people in my life.
What
motivates you about your job?
At the end
of the day, it's all about the children. It is always my hope that my job helps
parents be their best, which can result in happy, well-cared-for children.
What is
your favorite quote?
“You can
often change your circumstances by changing your attitude.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
Rob Kulpa
Friend of
the Court28th Circuit Court, Wexford and Missaukee Counties
Education and
experience:
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Wayne State University
- Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution, Wayne State University
I worked as
a custody/parenting time investigator and on enforcement at our office for over
ten years.
Interests
and activities:
Hanging out
and playing fantasy football with my wife and watching superhero movies with my
three kids. I enjoy listening to Bruce Springsteen and The Tragically Hip. But
right now, I'm also really enjoying playing Retro Bowl on my phone.
What motivates
you about your job?
I love
working with people and helping them find solutions to their problems. We get a
lot of opportunities to do that here, especially in mediation. I love coming to
work with the people who work here; we're a ridiculous bunch of horribly
competent people who really come together to make the legal system accessible
to the parents with whom we work. After accepting my new role, there was a lot
of settling of staff into new roles throughout our office, and it has been
great to see them take on and succeed in their new positions. I also like the
collaborative effort that every new day brings – we get new puzzles to put
together every day, and no two days are the same. I've always enjoyed that
about this office and get to continue experiencing that as Friend of the Court.
What is
your favorite quote?
I've come
to really respect Yoda's line from The Empire Strikes Back, “Do or do not –
there is no try.” I've used it more times in this job than I ever would have
thought and have come to use it in my personal life, too. You can't “try” and
do anything – you either do it, or you don't. I'm also a fan of Bruce
Springsteen's lyric, “Bring on your wrecking ball” – that's my motivational
song that gets me pumped up.
Tony McDowell
Friend of the Court7th Circuit Court, Genesee County
Education
and experience:
- Bachelor's Degree in Political Science Pre-Law, Michigan State University
- Juris Doctor, University of Toledo College of Law
I started
working for the Genesee County Circuit Court in 2011 as a Judicial Advisory
Assistant. I began working at the Friend of the Court in 2014 as a staff
attorney. In 2016, I became the Deputy Friend of the Court. I was appointed by
the Chief Judge as the Friend of the Court in September 2021.
Interests
and activities:
Spending
time with my wife and son, whether that is hiking in northern Michigan, playing
Nintendo, or visiting local restaurants in our community. My creative outlet is
woodworking, and I enjoy making the furniture for our house.
What
motivates you about your job?
The court
and the friend of the court impact so many families and parts of the community.
When we are at our best, we can be an important resource that helps families
through some of their most difficult times. I enjoy working with people who are
passionate about public service.
What is
your favorite quote?
“Darkness
cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do
that.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Nancy J.
Parshall
Friend of
the Court33rd Circuit Court, Charlevoix County
Education
and experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Western Michigan University
- Juris Doctor, Wayne State University
I'm not
really a new Friend of the Court; I'm just recycled! This is my fourth FOC office. From 1993 to
2002, I was the FOC Director in Gratiot County; from 2002 to 2014, I was the
FOC Referee in Isabella County; from 2014 to 2019, I was the FOC Referee in
Midland County; and in 2019, I started as the FOC Director in Charlevoix
County. Change is good!
Interests
and activities:
We moved to Charlevoix to be closer to our children and grandchildren, and I love spending time with them! I also enjoy the beach, a good martini in a fancy glass, and food of all kinds – not necessarily in that order.
What
motivates you about your job?
Being of
service to families is very gratifying. I have enjoyed finding new ways to meet
clients' needs in each of the four counties where I have worked. Streamlining
processes and procedures and maximizing use of the Michigan Child Support
Enforcement System has been a focal point of my career.
What is
your favorite quote?
“Life is
short, and we have too little time to gladden the hearts of those who travel
the way with us. So be swift to love and make haste to be kind.” -
Henri-Frédéric Amiel
Monica J. Tissue-Daws
Friend of the Court/Domestic Relations Referee8th Circuit Court, Montcalm County
Education
and experience:
- Bachelor of Arts, Alma College
- Juris Doctor, Vermont Law School
- Master of Studies in Environmental Law, Vermont Law School
I worked
for 24 years in private practice as a sole practitioner.
Interests
and activities:
I enjoy
traveling with my husband, spending time with my family, and cuddling with my
three feline fur babies.
What
motivates you about your job?
I am eager
to help resolve conflicts between parties and make the family, as a whole, more
peaceful and cohesive.
