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Board of Advisors The Tridge utilizes a board of advisors of industry, academic, and professional experts to help guide senior editors in making a quality publication. The board consists of a Ph.D, local CEOs, a former political candidate, creative writing experts, and others. Members of the board serve in an advisory capacity, and are not involved in the day-to-day operations of The Tridge. Erik Trump, Ph.D Dr. Erik Trump is an author and professor of political science at Saginaw Valley State University and the current chair of the political science department. Dr. Trump oversees the department's internships program and placements. He is the co-author of two books, The Politics of Zoos: Exotic Animals And Their Protectors and Political Animals: Public Art In American Zoos And Aquariums. Dr. Trump earned his Bachelor's degree at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and his Ph.D. at Boston University. Michael Westendorf A lifelong resident of Midland, Michigan; Michael Westendorf is a businessman and investor with a distinguished career in public service and community leadership. He is chairman of Crossen & Co. He previously served as president and chief executive officer, and later chairman, of Midland Hockey, an organization dedicated to promoting and developing the sport of hockey in Midland. During his three year tenure at Midland Hockey, Westendorf presided during the move of hockey operations to a brand new $10.3 million facility. He also co-founded Midland Roller Sports, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to the fostering of inline skating sports in Midland County, and served on the board of directors of the Dstreet Entertainment Foundation, a foundation that awards scholarships and financial aid to musicians, where he sat on the nominating, youth, and finance committees. Westendorf attended Saginaw Valley State University where he majored in French, a language in which he can speak fluently, and later political science and history. Westendorf is currently pursuing a Ph.D in political science and history with an emphasis on American constitutional law and late 18th century American history. Aaron Crossen Aaron Crossen is the outgoing president and chief executive officer of Crossen & Co. and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the firm, including The Tridge, where he previously served as Executive Editor. Crossen is the former Editor-in-Chief of The Valley Vanguard, the award-winning student newspaper at Saginaw Valley State University. Crossen was appointed Editor in February of 2007 in an interim capacity, and was subsequently permanently hired. The Valley Vanguard has served the nearly 10,000 students of Saginaw Valley State University with campus and local news since 1966. The weekly newspaper has a circulation of approximately 2,500. In 2006, The Valley Vanguard won the Division II General Excellence award from the Michigan Press Association. Crossen graduated in 2008 from Saginaw Valley State University with B.A.s in history and communications. Dennis G. Lennox II Dennis Lennox is a free-lance journalist and political consultant, specializing in state and international politics . Most recently, Lennox was a Republican candidate for State Representative in the Michigan House of Representatives for the 105th district. Lennox formerly served as president of Young Americans for Freedom at Central Michigan University - where he is studying political science and journalism. Lennox was also the Editor-in-Chief of the popular Web site HockeyRefs.com from 1997-2007. Bryan W. Thumme Bryan W. Thumme is the president and chief executive officer of Midland Hockey, an organization dedicated to promoting and developing the sport of hockey in Midland. Previously, Thumme served three years as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Thumme rose to prominence as a player in the MIHL, becoming the first and only player in league history to win back-to-back scoring titles. He is an avid Saginaw Spirit fan and a season ticket holder. A.J. Hoffman A.J. Hoffman is editor of The Tridge and an incoming partner of Crossen & Co. He graduated in 2008 from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor's degree in journalism. His writing and poetry have been published in CM-Life, the nation's premier collegiate student newspaper; The Tridge; Review Magazine, a bi-weekly culture magazine based in Saginaw; Tri City Magazine, a monthly lifestyle magazine based in Bay City; the Charlevoix Courier, the local newspaper of Charlevoix; and many others. Melissa Seitz, M.A. She holds an M.A. from Michigan State University and a B.A. from Saginaw Valley State University, both in creative writing. |
The Tridge is a Mid-Michigan based arts and culture magazine that provides unique commentary and perspectives regarding politics, music, fiction, poetry, and more.
