Gwen Markham of Novi Begins Term as SEMCOG Chairperson
(SEMCOG, Nov 13, 2024)
SE Michigan – SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, announces that Gwen Markham, Oakland County Commissioner, is its new chairperson as of November 13, 2024.
Having been elected First Vice Chairperson of SEMCOG in June of this year, Markham ascends to the role of Chairperson following the retirement of Pittsfield Township Supervisor Mandy Grewal this fall, ending Grewal’s one-year term early. Markham’s term as Chairperson will conclude at the end of June 2026.
“It is an honor to serve as Chairperson for SEMCOG, which provides crucial data about our region to support informed decisions along with tools to implement them,” Markham said. “I have also found that networking with other SEMCOG members helps me better understand the many ways I can be responsive to what the data is telling us,” said Markham.
Gwen Markham is Oakland County Commissioner for District 15, which includes Novi Township, the entire portion of the City of Northville within Oakland County, and portions of the cities of Farmington Hills and Novi. She was first elected to serve on the Board in November 2018. Prior to that, she was a member of the Novi City Council from 2013 to 2018.
A former automotive/aerospace manufacturing executive, she has served as an advocate for women, public transit, and preservation of the natural environment. She is the chair of the county’s Finance Committee, and she serves as a member on the Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee. In addition, she serves as a member on Oakland County’s Airport Committee and Claims Review Committee. A resident of Novi, she is married with two adult children.
Markham has served SEMCOG in a number of roles, including:
- First Vice Chairperson, Executive Committee
- Vice Chairperson, Executive Committee
- Delegate, Transportation Coordinating Council
- Member, Finance and Budget Committee
- Member, Regional Review Committee
- Member, Economic Development Council
Markham was raised in Pontiac, the daughter of Oakland County’s first County Executive, Daniel T. Murphy, who served as Chairperson of SEMCOG from 1981 to 1983 – marking a notable family legacy of leadership at SEMCOG.
Learn more about SEMCOG at https://www.semcog.org/
