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Release Date: 
Monday, January 25, 2021

Westland mayor appoints HFC alumna to ethics board

Headshot of Deborah Thomas

Westland Mayor William R. Wild announced that he filled five vacant openings on the City of Westland Ethics Board. One of the mayor’s appointees was HFC alumna Deborah Thomas, who will serve a one-year term.

The Ethics Board’s purpose is to issue written opinions regarding ethical questions and to engage in activities to promote ethical behavior throughout the city of Westland. The board shall meet at least once every quarter and more frequently, depending on the circumstances.

“I’m honored that I was selected. I believe I will be a great asset to the board and be able to make an important contribution,” said Thomas, who lives in Westland with Steven, her husband of 18 years.

Thomas was surprised when she learned Wild appointed her.

“Mayor Wild is a man of great integrity,” she said. “He loves the community of Westland. I enjoy working with him. He’s very approachable. He cares about the people and the city of Westland. He’s a very giving man. I’m grateful that our lives have crossed paths because he’s been a great blessing.”

A varied and challenging career

Thomas is a receptionist and human resources clerk for Hegira Health, Inc. in Livonia. She is also a traveling minister through Forever Blessed Ministry, which she founded with her husband in Westland. Previously, she was a research analyst for the U.S. Marshal Service in downtown Detroit.

An alumna of Mackenzie High School in Detroit, Thomas earned her associate degree in business administration from HFC (then HFCC) in 1984. After graduation, she continued taking classes at HFC. Thomas is a licensed ordained minister from the Word of Faith Bible Training Center in Southfield. She also attended the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, GA.

She directs a lot of credit for her career success to HFC, and recommends the College to others.

“It was a great place to study business administration,” said Thomas. “The curriculum offered a variety of classes with flexible scheduling. The instructors were good and caring. The counselors were kind and knowledgeable. It was a good location for me. I liked the campus and the library – it was very comfortable.

It’s a great community college, and I recommended it highly. The College has a lot to offer."