In a special election, SEMCOG Executive Committee elected to new vice chairpersons. 

At its January 31, 2025 meeting, the Executive Committee of SEMCOG (Southeast Michigan Council of Governments), elected two new vice chairpersons. Joe LaRussa, Mayor, City of Farmington, and Frank Viviano, Supervisor, Macomb Township, who began their terms effective immediately.

As SEMCOG officers, vice chairpersons represent various geographic areas of the seven-county Southeast Michigan region. SEMCOG supports local planning through its technical, data, and intergovernmental resources. Its improves the quality of the region's water, makes the transportation system safer and more efficient, revitalizes communities, and spurs economic development.

"It is an honor to be entrusted with the role of Vice Chair by my peers throughout Southeast Michigan, and I look forward to continue working together on key issues impacting this region," Joe LaRussa, Mayor, City of Farmington said. "Our success as individual communities and as a region are supported by SEMCOG's high-quality data and mapping tools along with the experiences and expertise we share with one another as local officials."

"Mayor LaRussa brings a potent set of strengths to SEMCOG's leadership team," said Amy O'Leary, SEMCOG Executive Director. "He brings a strong technical and business acumen, which has helped to make him a leading voice on ensuring affordable broadband access, a critical factor for economic success in Southeast Michigan's present and future. Since joining SEMCOG in 2018, Mayor LaRussa has been a constructive voice, consistently engaging with SEMCOG staff as well as peers on the Executive Committee and General Assembly," said O'Leary.

"I am honored to have been selected as Vice Chair and look forward to working with my colleagues to advocate for policies and projects that benefit the entire region and enhance the quality of life for all our residents," Frank Viviano, Supervisor, Macomb Township said. "Collaboration between communities in addressing shared challenges, from infrastructure to economic growth, almost always leads to more effective results rather than trying to tackle them on our own," said Viviano.

"Supervisor Viviano is a valued addition to the SEMCOG officers, which will benefit from his broad base of experience and service," said Amy O'Leary, SEMCOG Executive Director. "The region will continue to benefit from his leadership, which is strengthened by an impressive resume of success in business and commitment to effective local government. Supervisor Viviano has been an active SEMCOG member since 2021, providing a strong voice of leadership throughout this time, including in his role as Chairperson of SEMCOG's Legislative Policy Platform Task Force," said O'Leary.