U.S. Senator Gary Peters of Michigan has hired Leah Bagdon-McCallum of Traverse City to serve as his Northern Michigan Regional Director. Bagdon-McCallum has worked at Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan since 2009, most recently as the organization's director of advancement. She also serves on the Traverse City Downtown Development Authority (DDA) board. Bagdon-McCallum joins Peters' staff effective June 29.

"I love what I've done with Goodwill and its great mission helping our neighbors most in need," Bagdon-McCallum tells The Ticker. "Now I'm excited to expand my skillsets and horizons. I know the Senator is passionate about a lot of issues affecting northern Michigan, and I am too. I thought this was a neat way for me to get involved in a bigger scale. I'm hoping my experience and connections here will help everybody all around." Bagdon-McCallum says her primary role will be to "get the Senator better connected with northern Michigan, and help the people who are living here get more connected with him."

In a written statement to The Ticker, Senator Peters said of the hiring: "Leah brings a strong record of experience in Traverse City, and I am glad to have Leah on board as my Northern Michigan Regional Director. As our team continues to build a statewide presence, Leah will play a critical role in ensuring that Michiganders across the Northern Lower Peninsula know that my office is accessible and ready to help."

Peters, a Democrat, assumed office on January 3 in the U.S. Senate. He was elected to the seat previously held by retiring Senator Carl Levin.