Michigan Library Advocacy Day 2025 Speakers

John Clexton
Library Director
Gladwin County District Library

John Clexton serves as Library Director for Gladwin County District Library. After completing his Master of Library & Information Science in 1998 he served as a Children's Librarian first with Ypsilanti Public Library and then with Detroit Public Library. In 2000 he joined his (then) hometown library of Grosse Pointe Public Library as a Branch Coordinator, serving 18 years there, raising his three kids along with his wife and many animals. In 2018 he left for the Caribbean island of St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands as Territorial Librarian supervisor. His love for up north Michigan called him to Gladwin, where he currently, lives on Wiggins Lake with abundant fishing and outdoor recreation. In addition to the many hats and tasks of a Director, John currently serves on the board of Michigan Library Association and is the Association of Rural and Small Libraries 2025 President, along with numerous national and state library committees.

John Chrastka
Founder
EveryLibrary

EveryLibrary’s founder is John Chrastka, a long-time library trustee, supporter, and advocate. Mr. Chrastka is a former partner in AssociaDirect, a Chicago-based consultancy focused on supporting associations in membership recruitment, conference, and governance activities. He is a former president and member of the Board of Trustees for the Berwyn (IL) Public Library (2006 – 2015) and is a former president of the Reaching Across Illinois Libraries System (RAILS) multi-type library system. Prior to his work at AssociaDirect, he was Director for Membership Development at the American Library Association (ALA). He was named a 2014 Mover & Shaker by Library Journal.

Bob DeVries
Lobbyist
Governmental Consultant Services Inc.

Before joining Governmental Consultant Services Inc., Bob served for 10 years on House and Senate staffs eventually rising to the position of Chief of Staff to the Senate Majority Leader. During his time in the legislature, Bob managed many difficult legislative issues and became one of Lansing’s leading experts on the legislative process. Bob has his bachelor’s degree in political science from Grand Valley State University and his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. GCSI was founded in 1983 and has been repeatedly recognized as Lansing’s most effective lobbying firm. The firm employs nine lobbyists from diverse political backgrounds. GCSI has represented the Michigan Library Association since 2007.

Caitlyn Perry Dial
Vice President
Brighton District Library

Caitlyn Perry Dial is Vice President of the Board of Trustees at Brighton District Library and currently serves as the President of the Michigan Museums Association. Prior to her leadership in these organizations, she served as the Executive Director of the Michigan Women’s Historical Center & Hall of Fame, where she developed exhibits and educational programming featuring the incredible stories and accomplishments of Michigan women. Caitlyn is also the Director of Development at MSU Libraries. Her diverse background in the museum field includes experience as an educator, curator, collections manager, and fundraiser. Her passion for history and community engagement led her to pursue a PhD in Public History at Western Michigan University. She believes libraries and museums are vital community hubs and is dedicated to ensuring access to information and resources for all.

Skip Dye
Senior Vice President, Library Sales and Digital Strategy
Penguin Random House

Skip Dye is SVP, Library Sales, and Digital Strategy at Penguin Random House (PRH) and currently serves as Chairperson, PRH Intellectual Freedom Task Force, where he leads initiatives to champion freedom of expression and support libraries nationwide. Skip has been at PRH for over 29 years and is deeply committed to advocating for library funding and First Amendment rights. He is an active member of the Freedom to Read Foundation, Chair, American Library Association Public Partner Program Steering Committee, and a past-President and current board member of United for Libraries. Skip has participated in many webinars and conferences discussing and advising on First Amendment issues and on advocacy for library funding. This past Fall Skip was named Publisher’s Weekly Notable Person. In June, the American Library Association is set to confer an honorary lifetime membership, its highest honor, upon Skip Dye for his longstanding support to America's libraries and to intellectual freedom. He is a proud board member of the Friends of Lewes Public Library in Lewes, DE (the first town in the first state).

Randy Dykhuis

After a 35-year career in libraries, Randy Dykhuis retired in March 2019. In 1995, Dykhuis was chosen as the Executive Director of the Michigan Library Consortium (MLC). He held that post until 2010 when he became the first Executive Director of the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS), where he remained until his retirement. Among his many professional accomplishments, Dykhuis is most proud of his work to develop MeL and MeLCat. Dykhuis earned his Masters of Science in Library Science from Wayne State University in December 1983. His first library jobs were at public libraries in Michigan, in Midland and Grand Rapids. He also worked at OCLC and OHIONET. In 2023, Dykhuis helped found Capital Area Friends of the Environment (CAFE), a 501(c)(3), Michigan nonprofit organization. CAFE has worked on a number of projects to make the Lansing area more environmentally aware and help the community make a just and equitable transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. He is the current chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Sustainability in Lansing.

Since retiring, Randy has enjoyed traveling, researching his family history, baking bread, cycling, and learning Dutch.

Dillon Geshel
Director
Superiorland Library Cooperative

Dillon Geshel is the Director of the Superiorland Library Cooperative, where he works with the organization's 35-member public libraries to facilitate resource sharing, professional development opportunities and consulting. He is the President of the Michigan Library Association Board and also serves on the organization's Legislative and Advocacy Committee and their Intellectual Freedom Task Force. Dillon is passionate about the power of library advocacy and coalition building to support the freedom to read.

Jenny Marr
Executive Director
Capital Area District Libraries

Since 2024, Jenny has served as the Executive Director of the Capital Area District Library. She is currently the President-Elect of the Michigan Library Association and serves as the chair of the MLA Advocacy and Legislative Committee.She served as the director of the Ferndale Area District Library (FADL) from 2017 - 2024. Additionally, Marr brings a wealth of experience from previous roles as Director of Morrill Public Library in Hiawatha, Kansas, and a foundational career at Grace A. Dow Memorial Library in Midland, Michigan. Marr is an East Lansing native and holds a MLIS degree from Wayne State University.

Deborah E. Mikula
Executive Director
Michigan Library Association

Since June 2019, Debbie has served as the Michigan Library Association’s Executive Director. She places a high priority on any organization or project that creates a sense of place, showcases a community’s authentic heritage, and contributes to the economic prosperity of a region. Libraries are no exception. She is a passionate advocate of arts and culture in the state and on a national basis – having led the Arts Council of Greater Lansing, ArtServe Michigan, Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies, and the League of Historic American Theatres.

Mia Murphy
Chief Policy Officer
Michigan Association of State Universities

Dr. Mia Murphy serves as the Chief Policy Officer of the Michigan Association of State Universities, where she’s served since 2015. She advises on the CEO on strategic direction of the association, partners with state officials, lawmakers, and other organizations on higher education public policy, especially data, finance, and legal issues, and also provides strategic analysis and communications to the member universities and other stakeholders. She also oversees the review process for all new academic programs proposed at the state universities.

Mia was previously with the State Budget Office of Michigan from 2008 – 2015, serving most of that time as the senior analyst for postsecondary education. At SBO, Mia provided coordination and policy development for the state’s community colleges and public universities and served as the primary official preparing the $2.5 billion combined community colleges and higher education budgets.

She provided recommendations to the Governor and State Budget Director on budget issues and potential policy solutions, and testified before the Michigan Legislature on behalf of the administration. She has earned a Ph.D. in the Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education program at Michigan State University, a master’s degree in international relations from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from MSU. She and her wife live in Lansing.

Rep. Veronica Paiz
11th House District

State Rep. Veronica Paiz is serving her first term representing the 11th House District, which stretches from northeast Detroit to St. Clair Shores. As a legislator, Rep. Paiz is fighting to defend reproductive freedom, increase access to affordable food, health care and housing, safeguard pensions, lower child care costs, protect people with disabilities, reform insurance laws and improve water infrastructure.

Rep. Paiz is a second generation Mexican American, whose family moved to Michigan from Texas in the 1960s to work in the auto industry. A longtime resident of the district, a former Detroiter and a native of Macomb County, Paiz brings to the Legislature a unique insight into the community she represents and the challenges they have faced. As an activist, community volunteer and member of the Harper Woods City Council, she has seen how legislation directly impacts the power and resources a community receives. She’s advocating to reverse the wrongs her community has endured and protect the policies that have worked for residents throughout her district and the state.

Rep. Paiz has a long record of public service. She’s served on the Harper Woods Library Board, Harper Woods Recreation Advisory Board, Harper Woods Ordinance and Beautification Committees, and Michigan Municipal League’s Legislative Municipal Services Committee and Elections Sub-Committee. Rep. Paiz was a community arts coordinator for Focus: HOPE, where she oversaw a pen-pal program that facilitated interactions between third graders in Detroit and suburban schools. She also led The Mission Program, which helped high school students in the tri-county area meet for cultural diversity icebreakers and discussions exploring their lives in Detroit through photography and mentorship, which culminated in a photo exhibit. As the executive director of Casa de Unidad, a cultural center in southwest Detroit, she supervised literacy and arts programs, conducted cultural seminars, and led a teachers cultural arts workshop for the University Musical Society of the University of Michigan. She’s also served as an executive board member of the Michigan Democratic Party Hispanic Latino Caucus.

Rep. Paiz is also an accomplished artist, whose work has been exhibited at the Detroit Institute of Art.

Randy Riley
State Librarian
Library of Michigan

Randy Riley was named State Librarian in April 2014. As State Librarian Riley has placed a large focus on developing strategies that will help to increase Michigan libraries’ visibility and prominence in their communities. Riley has been with the Library of Michigan since October 1989 and has been a key member of the team responsible for oversight of the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) and promoting its resources to school and public libraries and government agencies statewide. He has helped coordinated outreach to librarians, educators, and state employees to improve access to needed information. In 2010, he was awarded The Filby Award as the leading genealogical librarian in the country by the National Genealogical Society. Riley has worked as a reference librarian, Michigan Collection Selector, Michigan and Genealogy Special Collections Coordinator and Special Collections Supervisor and Michigan eLibrary and Outreach Coordinator at the Library of Michigan.

Jennifer Rupp
President and Chief Executive Officer
Michigan Humanities

Jennifer Rupp is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Michigan Humanities, a role she has held since March 2022. With nearly two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership and capacity building, she is dedicated to fostering connections and inspiring community engagement across Michigan.

Rupp's journey with Michigan Humanities began in 2017, where she served in various capacities, including Director of State and Federal Grants and Chief Impact Officer, before assuming the role of President & CEO. Before joining Michigan Humanities, Rupp was the Executive Director of the Marshall Historical Society in 2007, where she curated museums and managed community events. She later became the Executive Director of the Brass Band of Battle Creek, creating programs centered on youth and incorporating humanities-based programming into concerts.

Rupp holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Public History and Secondary Education-History from Western Michigan University. Throughout her career, Rupp has been passionate about creating opportunities through the public humanities that inspire Michiganders to connect and get involved in their communities.

Samantha Zandee
Lobbyist
Governmental Consultant Services Inc.

Sam joined GCSI in 2020 with extensive experience in the State House. Her robust background in policy, legal work, and social services allows her to approach issues creatively and from multiple perspectives. Sam holds an undergraduate degree from Hope College and a Juris Doctor and Master’s of Social Work from the University at Buffalo. She has also worked in the family court system, legal aid clinics, a children’s advocacy center, and with in-house counsel at Buffalo Medical School.