World-Class Education in the Real World
Wayne State University Planned Gifts Committee

Thomas H. Bergh, Esq., Chair, has extensive experience assisting clients in all facets of business planning, including succession planning, estate planning, corporate and LLC design and implementation, asset protection planning and litigation, tax planning and employee benefit issues, in planning complex estates and the administration of decedent’s estates, including audit representation and litigation. He is a member of the Employee Benefits, Estates and Trusts, and Practice and Procedure Committees of the Taxation section of the State Bar of Michigan, the Closely Held Business and Employee Benefits Committees of the section of Taxation of the American Bar Association, the Financial and Estate

Planning Council of Detroit, and the American Health Lawyers Association. He has created a planned gift for Wayne State and has joined the Old Main Society.

Robert Boesiger, J.D., L.L.M., CPA, is Vice President of Schechter Wealth Strategies, working with high net worth families and their advisors in wealth transfer strategies. Previously, he was an attorney at Dickinson Wright where he advised families about inter-generational wealth transfers including transfers of business interests, securities, real estate, and articles. He also advised individuals and families about tax strategies, including family and limited liability companies, qualified personal residence trusts, and irrevocable life insurance trusts. Mr. Boesiger received his B.A. in Accounting from Michigan State University as well as his J.D. from University of Detroit School of Law, and his LL.M.-

taxation from Wayne State University Law School.

Ivan Louis Cotman, Ed. D., is the lead consultant with Cotman and Associates. His 38-year career in Education Administration included 21 years with the Michigan Department of Education, where his last position was Assistant Superintendent and Director of the Office of Enrichment and Community Services. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Social Science from Kentucky State University, a Master’s of Social Work from Clark Atlanta University, and a doctoral degree from Wayne State University in Educational Leadership and Administration.

Jon Gandelot, Esq. received his undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Michigan in 1966; Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University in 1969. He has been engaged in the private practice of law in the Detroit area since 1969 concentrating in the areas of estate planning and estate administration. He is a frequent lecturer in the areas of estate, gift and charitable planning for the general public, licensed insurance professionals and certified financial planners.

Robert P. Havern, CFP, is a Certified Financial Planner with 25 years of experience in retirement and pre-planning, estate planning, money management, financial education seminars, life and disability insurance and charitable trust planning. He is a graduate of Oakland University certificate program in Personal Financial Planning, and has conducted educational seminars throughout Southeastern Michigan on retirement and estate planning. He has created a planned gift for Wayne State and has joined the Old Main Society.

R. Thomas Hunter, Ph.D., CLU, ChFC, is a licensed Life Insurance Counselor, providing financial services for 28 years. He is a senior agent and registered representative with the Detroit Financial Group, an agency of Mass Mutual and other insurance and investment companies. He specializes in insurance, business succession and estate planning, employee benefits, and retirement planning. He received his B.A. from the University of Michigan and his M.A. and Ph.D. in English and American Literature from Wayne State University.

Austin Kanter is a graduate of Wayne State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with insurance major. He has been a career life insurance agent since 1949. His focus is on corporate and personal planning to provide his clients with the best possible solutions to their financial and estate planning needs. Austin specializes in strategies that allow his clients to minimize estate transfer cost, and maximize assets transferred to heirs. He has arranged for a planned gift for Wayne State and has joined the Old Main Society.

Charles Nida, Esq. heads the Estate Planning and Probate Group at Honingman Miller Schwartz and Cohn and has more than thirty years experience in estate planning and probate administration, with special emphasis on sophisticated and complex tax and estate planning. He also has broad experience in the representation of non-profit organizations with special emphasis on the representation of public charities and civic organizations.

Patrick O’Hara, CPA has 27 years experience in the accounting firm he founded that handles audit and tax services to individuals, businesses, non-profits, estates and trusts. He has served on the staff of the Taxation Committee of the Michigan House of Representatives and as Treasurer for the Detroit Charter Revision Commission. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from University of Detroit, and he is a member of both the Michigan Association and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Julianne Phillips, Ph.D. is a human resource professional with a highly successful track record of leading learning interventions and more than 15 years of progressive project management, building strong partnerships with all levels of employees and organizations. She currently serves as Principle Business Process Analyst for a Common Process Governance, and is responsible for building partnerships within DTE Energy. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Master’s degree from the College of Education, and Doctor of Philosophy degree in International Studies all from Wayne State University. She has joined the Old Main Society by creating a planned gift for the university.

Helen Suchara, Ph.D. attended Wayne State University from 1937 through 1947, earning both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Education. She also holds a doctorate in Education from Columbia University. Dr. Suchara taught in Detroit for a number of years, and ultimately reached the position of full professor in the College of Education, retiring in 1981. She has been a member of Women of Wayne, served on the Board of the Wayne State Retirees Association, and is currently a member of the Board of Visitors of the College of Education. She is a member of The Old Main Society, having created a planned gift for the College of Education.

Michael P. Witzke of Michael P. Witzke, PLLC, Troy, Michigan, practices in the areas of estate and gift tax planning, financial planning, retirement planning, charitable giving, elder law and small business planning. He is a past President and Board member of the Financial Planning Association of Michigan, on the Board of Directors for Leadership Oakland, member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. He is a Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant and is a frequent lecturer and writer on many areas of personal and business planning. Mike is a member of the Probate and Estate Planning and Taxation Sections of the State Bar of Michigan, the Financial and Estate Planning Council of

Metropolitan Detroit, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and is a frequent lecturer for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education on estate planning.

Arliss Zink holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Concordia University Chicago, and a Master’s Degree in Education from Wayne State, with a concentration in guidance and counseling. She taught for approximately 41years, ending her career in the Fraser Public Schools. She currently serves as chair of the Research Grant Committee of Women of Wayne. She also has made her own personal commitment and has joined The Old Main Society.