A History of Public Service

Sam has been committed to public service over his career.  He has served on the boards of numerous civic and nonprofit organizations both on a local and a national level.

  • MSU National Student Affairs Advisory Board, 2011 to present.
  • Greater Lansing Refugee Development Center, 2011 to present.
  • Board Member, Capital Area United Way, 2010 to present.
  • Michigan Municipal League Foundation, 2009 to present.
  • Advisory Board Member, Michigan Political Leadership Program, 2001 to present.
  • Public Policy Committee, American Red Cross of Southeast Michigan, 2009-2010.
  • Mayor, City of East Lansing, 2005-2007.
  • Mayor Pro-Tem & City Councilmember, East Lansing City Council, 1995- 2005.
  • Board Member, Lansing Economic Area Partnership, 2006-2007.
  • Board Member, East Lansing Downtown Development Authority, 2005-2007.
  • Board Member, East Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, 2005-2007.
  • Executive Committee, Michigan Indo-American Democratic Caucus, 2005-2007.
  • Member, Panel on the Nonprofit Sector, Independent Sector, 2004-2007.
  • Chairman and Board Member, City Connect Detroit, 2003-2007.
  • Member, Governor’s Council on Asian and Pacific American Affairs, 2005-2007.
  • Board Member, National Council of Nonprofit Associations, Washington DC, 2002-2007.
  • Board Member, OMB Watch, Washington DC, 2004-2007.
  • Board Member, MSU Employer Partnership Program Advisory Board, 2004-2006.
  • Board Member, Capital Region Community Foundation, 2001-2006.
  • Board Member, Michigan Association of United Ways, 2000-2007.
  • Board Member, Points of Light Foundation, Washington DC, 1995-2007.
  • Board Member, Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA), 1996-2006.
  • Advisory Board Member, WKAR- Public Radio and Television, 2001-2004.
  • Member, Public Health Committee, Ingham Regional Medical Center, 1999-2003.
  • Board Member, Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board, 2000-2003.
  • Board Member, Capital Area Youth Alliance, 2001-2003.
  • Board Member, East Lansing Film Festival, 1997-2000.
  • Chairperson, Housing Resource Center, 1996-2001.
  • Chairperson, Capital Area Community of Promise, 1998-2001.
  • Commissioner, Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, 1996-1998.
  • Third Vice Chair, Ingham County Democratic Party, 1996-1997.
  • Member, Planning Commission’s Subcommittee for Parks and Recreation, 1995.
  • Member, East Lansing Task Force on Refuse and Recycling, 1993.
  • Commissioner, East Lansing Transportation Commission, 1992-1995.