Oakland University Board of Trustees appoints new chair and vice chair

At its August 7 formal meeting, the Oakland University Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Brian Calley, of Portland, Michigan, as its new chair. He replaces Joe Jones, who had served as chair since June 2024. In an email to the campus community, Jones announced his decision to step down as chair due to additional work responsibilities, but noted he would continue to serve as an actively engaged member of the Board. 

“Joe Jones has led Oakland University’s Board of Trustees with honor and distinction. We’re immensely grateful for his thoughtful approach as the university navigates a rapidly evolving higher education landscape – one marked by critical challenges and exciting opportunities,” said OU President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz. “I look forward to continuing our shared work as Joe continues to serve OU as a valued member of our Board.”

Calley serves as president and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan, passionately advocating for small businesses across the state. He had the honor of serving as Michigan’s 63rd lieutenant governor from 2011-2018, playing an integral role in Michigan’s comeback in partnership with Governor Rick Snyder. 

Much of Calley’s public policy work centered around inclusion for all Michiganders, regardless of the challenges they face. He currently serves as chairman for the Autism Alliance of Michigan and has led the charge to increase access to autism services while also championing efforts on mental health, combating the opioid addiction epidemic, jail diversion, special education reform, disability hiring, and eliminating child lead poisoning. 

Calley has been honored as one of Crain’s Detroit Business’ 40 under 40 and has received recognition for his leadership by organizations across the state, including the Small Business Association of Michigan, Special Olympics of Michigan, the Michigan Manufacturers Association and the Mental Health Association. He also has received national recognition from Autism Speaks, and the U.S. Junior Chamber, which named him one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans.
 
Prior to serving as lieutenant governor, Calley served two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives, two terms as an Ionia County commissioner and worked for over a decade in community banking. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Michigan State University, a master’s degree in business administration from Grand Valley State University, and a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University.

Trina Scott, of Southfield, Michigan, was appointed vice chair of OU’s Board of Trustees at its June 27 formal meeting. She replaced Calley, who had served as vice chair since June 2024. 

As vice president of civic and community affairs at ROCK, part of the Rocket Family of Companies, Scott leads the design and implementation of a comprehensive strategy engaging with and working alongside key stakeholders in the city of Detroit to foster positive community impact. Prior to her current role, Scott served as executive vice president of appraisal services at Amrock, LLC, providing visionary leadership and guiding a high-performing team to deliver exceptional business results.

From 2017-2022, Scott served as chief diversity officer at Rock Ventures, LLC, where she developed strategies and infrastructure to foster a culture of inclusivity and diverse perspectives. Her work included driving brand awareness and engagement by forging positive connections between Rocket Companies and local communities and recruiting diverse talent across a wide range of fields.

Prior to Rock Ventures, Scott spent a decade with Ernst & Young, where her roles included managing fraud investigation and dispute services, diversity and inclusion, and corporate responsibility programs. She led the firm’s flagship education program, which promoted college access and persistence in over 30 U.S. urban cities, helping over 1,000 young people matriculate through college. 

Scott competed on the women’s basketball team at OU and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance. She later served on the Oakland University Alumni Association Board of Directors and was a featured speaker for the Alumni Association’s award-winning Leadership OU program, helping connect upperclassman students with alumni mentors and industry leaders. In addition, Scott serves as a board member for the College Career and Beyond/Midnight Golf Program, Inforum, and the Rocket Giving Fund. She is a former member of the Mortgage Bankers Association Diversity and Inclusion Committee, as well as a former board member of Children’s Hospital of Michigan, the Southwest Detroit Lighthouse Charter School, and the Detroit Police Athletic League.