Michigan Public Service Institute
About Institute
Welcome to the Michigan Public Service Institute (MPSI)! The heart of our mission is to promote and encourage professional development through education and training specifically designed for Public Works supervisors and managers.
MPSI is an outstanding program that will help you reach your professional goals and enhance your effectiveness and efficiency on the job.
The MPSI Spring Institute and MPSI Fall Institute are the same sessions. This institute is very successful and continues to fill the classes pass capacity, therefore the planning committee has decided to offer the same courses and instructors twice a year, spring and fall.
Information about the institute will be updated throughout the year on this website.
Tom Trice,
Chairman, MPSI Planning Committee
What We Offer
What do I need to know about MPSI?
The MPSI courses include three one-week sessions, focusing on
Leadership Development, Service Excellence and Supervisory Skills.
These sessions are non-sequential and one may begin the three-year cycle at any time.
- Tuition is $825.
- Lodging is not included in the tuition.
- Attendance is required at all sessions including evening functions that include classes, group meals and activities.
- Do not register for MPSI unless you can commit to attending all sessions.
- MPSI graduates may choose to attend any single day or combination of days that best fits their individual interests and availability for $150 per day.
- Thursday is “Directors’ Day” and offers an opportunity for directors or bosses to learn more about MPSI.
Proudly Serving
2026 MPSI Committee Members
- Kristin Bauer
Construction Engineer | Mannik Smith Group kbauer@manniksmithgroup.com Representing APWA Michigan
- Aaron Berkholz
Senior Project Manager Washtenaw County Road Commission berkholza@wcroads.org Representing County Road Association of Michigan
- John Gorney
Public Works Department Director City of Grand Rapids jgorney@grcity.us Representing APWA Michigan
- Lewis Bender
lewbender@aol.com MPSI Facilitator
- Ryan Marion
Streets/Utilities Foreman City of Saline rmarion@cityofsaline.org Representing the Class of Fall 2023
- Perry Hart
Utility Administrator, Retired City of Battle Creek plhart@battlecreekmi.gov Representing MI Section-AWWA
- James Hui
Project Manager Rowe, PSC jhui@rowepsc.com Representing the Class of Fall 2024
- Mary Bender
mbender102@aol.com MPSI Coordinator
- Laura Canute
Lauracanute74@gmail.com MPSI Assistant Coordinator
- Rusty McClain
Assistant General Superintendent Kalamazoo County Road Commission rmcclain@kalamazoocountyroads.com Representing the Class of Spring 2025
- Tim Neumann
Executive Director Michigan Rural Water Association tneumann@mrwa.net Representing MRWA
- Chris Porman
Assistant City Manager/Director of Municipal Services
City of Plymouth cporman@ci.plymouth.mi.us Representing APWA Michigan
- Sean Preece
Heavy Equipment Operator City of Warren dpwadmin@wixomgov.org Representing the Class of Fall 2025
- Linnea Rader
Finance and Human Resource Director Van Buren County Road Commission linnearader@vbcrc.org APWA Michigan Treasurer
- Andrae Savage
Water Plant Manager Great Lakes Water Authority andrae.savage@glwater.org Representing the Class of Fall 2021
- Tom Trice
Director of Public Works, Retired Bloomfield Township tomtrice13@gmail.com Representing APWA Michigan
- Reuben West
Water Foreman City of Marshall rwest@cityofmarshall.com Representing MI Section-AWWA
About Sponsorships
Contact Mary Bender, MPSI Program Coordinator for additional information.
Sponsoring Organization Responsibilities
- The organization will promote MPSI as its Management and Leadership training vehicle and make information available to its membership through email, social media and its website.
- The sponsoring organization will have representation on the Advisory Board. Preferably a person that has graduated from or sent supervisors to MPSI.
- The sponsoring organization will be responsible for the following expenses: lodging and travel expenses associated with attending planning meetings and the institute, meals that are not associated with MPSI classes. (Dinner on Monday and for lunch and dinner on Wednesday.)
- MPSI will cover the following: meals associated with training sessions, class materials and MPSI shirt.
Michigan Public Service Institute
Institute Sessions
MPSI three one-week sessions courses focus on Leadership Development, Supervisory Skills and Service Excellence.
These sessions are non-sequential and one may begin the three-year cycle at any time.
SERVICE EXCELLENCE
Spring Session | April 12-17, 2026
**Year 1 is Sold Out**
or
Fall One Session | September 13-18, 2026
or
Fall Two Session | September 20-25, 2026
MPSI
SERVICE EXCELLENCE
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Spring Session | April 2027
or
Fall One Session | September 2027
or
Fall Two Session | September 2027
MPSI
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
SUPERVISORY SKILLS
Spring Session | April 2028
or
Fall Session | September 2028
MPSI
SUPERVISORY SKILLS
