Salary Commission Code  

Wage and Salary Commission Studying Compensation Issues  

By Jennifer Dougherty 

The Wage and Salary Commission is an independent board responsible for preparing recommendations to the Tribal Council regarding the compensation levels of the Tribal Council, Pokagon Band Judges and other appointed officials. Its mission is to create standards and procedures for establishing just compensation for Band officials, based on the guiding principle that such compensation should accurately reflect the value of such positions in the marketplace. Members of the commission, profiled below, meet for ten to 15 hours each month to prepare their recommendations.  

 Jim Topash, Chairman 

Jim Topash was appointed to the commission and served as the chair in 2009 to fulfill a position until the next election cycle. In July 2010, Jim was elected to a three-year term. Prior to his appointment to the Salary Commission, Jim ran for the opening of tribal chairman in 2009. 

Jim brings 25 years of supervisory, management, and executive experience to the commission.  He has experience in the fields of health care, higher education, banking and gaming, and has served as an instructor in business and allied health divisions for Northwestern Michigan College. He has a master’s degree in information systems management and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ferris State, and a bachelor’s in business management from Northwestern Michigan College. Additionally, Jim is licensed in the state of Michigan as an emergency medical technician at the specialist level, and he is licensed as an insurance agent for life, health and accident. Jim is currently studying to become a licensed investment advisor. 

“I decided to become re-involved with tribal affairs so that I could bring my business, financial and education knowledge and experience to help our tribal citizens as we go through these dynamic and changing times,” said Topash.  “I hope to bring an objective and fiscally prudent voice for today and for our bright future.” 

 Elizabeth Glowacki, Vice Chair 

Elizabeth Glowacki is the vice chair of the Salary Commission. Liz is the granddaughter of the late Leonard and Mary Church, is married to David Glowacki, and has two children, Justin and Echo. For the past three years, Liz has been a preschool teacher for the Kent County Head Start program. Prior to that position, she ran a childcare business out of her home and attended Grand Rapids Community College. She holds an associate’s degree in child development and is currently working toward a bachelor’s degree in business from Grand Valley State University. 

Liz became interested in a position on the Salary Commission because it would allow her to make a positive difference for the tribe. “I have found it rewarding to see the direction our tribe is moving with the leadership of the Tribal Council,” stated Liz.  “I have learned there is plenty of work involved with managing a tribe of more than 4000 citizens. With the number of citizens increasing as well as expanding development and social services, the task is only going to become more difficult.” She believes that an adequately paid Tribal Council can focus on running the tribe more efficiently and work toward improving the tribal community. 

 Chris Ballew 

Chris Ballew, son of Elizabeth Ballew, comes from a large family of 12 children. He and his wife, Stephanie, live in Edwardsburg, Michigan where he has owned and operated his business as a landscape contractor for over 20 years. Chris enjoys attending language classes, men’s talking circle and sweat lodge ceremonies in his spare time. During the summer, he frequently dances at traditional pow wows as a Pokagon Band veteran.  “I try to live in a traditional way in all of my thoughts and actions,” said Chris. 

Chris joined the Salary Commission so that he could help to develop an appropriate compensation plan for the Tribal Council and judicial staff.  “I believe that our tribal leadership should have the ability to give more than 100 percent of their attention to tribal citizens and their needs,” states Chris. “I believe that appropriate compensation will help to attract well educated and culturally-sensitive tribal leaders.” 

Jim Tabaszewski  

Tabaszewski lives in Flushing Michigan and has been married for 32 years to his wife Debbie. Together they have three daughters and two grandchildren, with another on the way. He has served as a member on the Salary Commission for the last year and a half, and has found being a member exciting, challenging and the work worth doing. 

“As an Elder I believe involvement is the key for the continued success and is the future of our tribe,” he said. “I have also been instrumental in organizing informational meetings between General Counsel and our citizens living outside of our Band’s ten-county area. I enjoy serving our tribe in any way I can.”  

Tabaszewski serves on his church’s session as a ruling elder and has been clerk of session for the last eight years. His latest interest is kart racing with his brother Mike. 

“We have my daughter April and my niece Taylor driving in three separate classes.”