The Board of Road Commissioners for the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) re-elected Commissioner Eric McPherson as chair at its regular meeting on Thursday, Jan. 8. 

            James Esshaki was also re-elected as vice chair of the Board during the meeting.

            While the Road Commission is an independent unit of government, and not part of Oakland County's general government, the three RCOC Board members are appointed by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. 

            The third Board member is Tylene Henry. The RCOC Board sets policy for the Road Commission, approves the agency’s budget and appoints the agency’s managing director. Board members serve for six-year, staggered terms, with appointments every two years.

            McPherson is a life-long resident of Hazel Park and a business agent for the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 80, where he has been a member for 39 years. A graduate of Catholic Central High School, he has been a business representative for the organization for 19 years, is a trustee of the Local’s Insurance Fund, is a building trades journeyman, has completed continuing education classes in upgrading labor, is a trustee of the Michigan Maritime Trades Port Council and is chair of the Oakland County Building Authority.

A resident of Bloomfield Hills and lifelong Oakland County resident, Esshaki is a real estate developer and owns and manages commercial real estate. Additionally, he owns and operates a hospitality company with establishments throughout Oakland County.

Esshaki is a past member of the Birmingham Parking Advisory Committee and the Berkley Downtown Development Authority. He currently serves on the Oakland County Building Authority and is the director of the Oakland County Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial.

            He is the proud father of two sons.

            Henry was recently appointed to the board and is a lifelong resident of Beverly Hills. She holds a master’s degree in business administration and owns Ujima Services LLC, a consulting firm focused on helping organizations develop growth strategies and foster culturally rich, economically thriving communities. Henry also serves as an adjunct professor at Wayne County Community College and is the proud mother of a son who attends Adrian College.

            The Board of Road Commissioners typically meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 1:30 p.m. at the Road Commission administrative offices at 31001 Lahser Road in Beverly Hills. 

Editor’s Note: The attached photo shows the three Board members. Left to right: Eric McPherson, James Esshaki and Tylene Henry.