2006 Press Releases
RE/MAX CEO and Michigan Senator to Receive Walsh Honorary Doctorates On May 20
Troy, Michigan, May 10, 2006 – Walsh College graduate Margaret M. Kelly, CEO of RE/MAX International, and Senator Shirley Johnson (R-Troy) will each deliver keynote addresses and receive honorary doctor of laws degrees at the 87th Walsh College Commencement ceremonies on May 20 at Zion Christian Church in Troy.
Ms. Kelly will speak to bachelor’s degree candidates at the 10:30 a.m. ceremony in a talk titled “What Will Your Story Be?” Senator Johnson’s address to the master’s degree candidates at the 1:30 p.m. ceremony is titled “This is Just the Beginning”.
Margaret Kelly began her 19-year RE/MAX career in Denver as a financial analyst, progressing through a series of senior management positions within the United States and Canada. In 2002, she was named RE/MAX International president, and in 2004 was promoted to co-chief executive officer. Last October, Ms. Kelly became CEO and a member of the board of directors.
A breast cancer survivor, Ms. Kelly has used her experience to initiate and promote an early detection program in the RE/MAX workforce, which is 54 percent female. RE/MAX is also a national co-sponsor of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure ® Survivor Recognition program. In 2003, the yogurt maker Yoplait named Ms. Kelly one of its 25 nationwide Champions for her community work in the fight against breast cancer.
In addition to her Walsh College degree, Ms. Kelly earned an associate’s degree from Oakland Community College (OCC). In 2005, she represented OCC as one of six recipients of the American Association of Community College Outstanding Alumni awards. Her outside activities include scuba diving, golf, gardening, church activities, and raising two teenaged sons.
A 35-year resident of Royal Oak, Republican Senator Shirley Johnson has been a member of the Michigan Senate since 1999. Of special importance to her are children and families, education, and Michigan businesses and taxpayers. Senator Johnson has increased domestic violence penalties and eliminated barriers to prosecuting sexual assaults. She supported the largest funding level per student in Michigan’s history; sponsored legislation to ensure school district access to substitute teachers; proposed actions to keep teachers and administrators safe, and put forth a student financial literacy course.
Senator Johnson has supported every tax cut in the Michigan Legislature since 1990, and proposed the Single Business Tax exemption for businesses that provide health care to their employees. Her additional Senate accomplishments include consolidating and making the Michigan’s Child Support System more user-friendly; allowing the state to re-invest the Children’s Trust Fund to combat child abuse and neglect; and sponsoring “Proud to Be American” specialty license plate legislation to allocate funds to the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Before serving in the Senate, Senator Johnson was with the House of Representatives for 18 years.
She attended Oakland Community College and Wayne State University. Senator Johnson and her husband, Cliff, have two sons, Cliff Jr. and Garret, and a grandson, Adam.
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(The above release was prepared by and is redistributed with permission from Walsh College, Troy, Michigan.)
For additional information or photos, contact:
Walsh College: Donna B. Mirabito (248) 823-1279 dmirabit@walshcollege.edu
RE/MAX International: Bill Echols 303-770-5531 echols@remax.net
