Clarkston Resident Appointed to OCHN Board of Directors

Oakland County’s Board of Commissioners recently appointed Clarkston resident, Patrick Kemp, to serve a three-year term on Oakland Community Health Network’s (OCHN) Board of Directors from January 2020 to March 2023.

Kemp is a former General Motors (GM) executive and dedicated advocate for people with special needs, spanning four decades. He is also the father of a young man living with autism. Following his career at GM, Kemp joined Autism Speaks as Executive Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Corporate Fundraising. He introduced the “Light It Up Blue” campaign instrumental in building autism awareness and generating funds throughout the world.

Kemp joined the Autism Alliance of Michigan as Executive Vice President of Marketing and Adult Services in 2013. He introduced the highly recognized, lime-green puzzle piece while he was there. He also co-chaired a statewide committee of non-profit organizations that developed the blueprint of housing options for adults with disabilities. These housing options currently appear on the State of Michigan website. Further, Pat created and ran Extraordinary Ventures of Michigan, which was a portfolio of small businesses that employed adults with autism.

He was President of the Autism Society of Oakland County in the mid-80’s, as well as served on the Michigan Autism Society Board during that same timeframe. Kemp joined the Jack’s Place for Autism Board when it was formed in 2001 and was influential in aligning Jack’s Place with Oakland University. After Kemp joined Autism Speaks, Oakland University created OUCares.
Kemp is married, has seven children and five grandchildren, and lives in Clarkston, Michigan.