January 2017 MiMfg Magazine 11
Michigan Senate as a founder and executive director of the Farmington / Farmington Hills Education Foundation . Prior to her work in the education arena , she worked as a consultant for Andersen Consulting ( now Accenture ) and for Kmart Corp . before co-owning Fulcrum Computer Services in Farmington Hills .
House Appropriations Committee Chair Representative Laura Cox
Representative Laura Cox ( R-Livonia ) was selected by incoming Speaker of the House Leonard to chair the House Appropriations Committee , making her the first woman selected to the post . The Appropriations Committee Chair is a key gatekeeper for all state government spending .
A longtime friend of manufacturing , Cox has supported the industry on key issues throughout her time in office . She was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in November 2014 , representing residents of Livonia . She previously chaired the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and was vice chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Judiciary .
During her 13 years as a U . S . Customs special agent , her work also included sophisticated financial investigations to stop smugglers and currency traffickers , and other duties to protect Michigan ’ s citizens and U . S . borders .
Senate Majority Leader Senator Arlan Meekhof
Senator Meekhof ( R-West Olive ) will continue his role as the leader of the Republican caucus ’ super majority in the Senate , a position through which he has worked tirelessly to affect substantive change and progress for manufacturers . The Majority Leader leads the Senate , appoints committees , directs all Senate staff and is responsible for the management of the chamber .
Senator Meekhof began serving West Michigan ’ s 30 th Senate District in January 2011 . He was chosen to serve as Majority Floor Leader during his first term , having previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives as Assistant Minority Leader .
He was honored as MMA ’ s Senate Advocate of the Year in 2011 for his dedicated service to Michigan ’ s manufacturing industry and his commitment to improving its competitiveness . Prior to his legislative service , he was township supervisor of Olive Township , one of the fastest growing communities in Ottawa County .
Senate Majority Floor Leader Senator Mike Kowall
Senator Mike Kowall ( R-White Lake ) represents Southeast Michigan ’ s 15th Senate District and will continue his current role of Majority Floor Leader during the 2017-2018 Legislative Session . The majority floor leader leads the Senate through the session agenda , with significant control over the legislation on the daily docket .
Prior to winning his Senate seat in 2010 , he was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives and served as White Lake township supervisor . A successful businessman who knows the struggles facing MMA members , Kowall was president of Accurate Woodworking Inc ., a family-owned business in Waterford Township .
Senator Jim Ananich Senate Minority Leader
Senate Minority Leader Ananich ( D-Flint ) will continue to serve as the leader of Michigan ’ s Senate Democrats , having won a 2013 special election to fill the vacant 27th District seat in Flint . He has been a staunch supporter of Michigan ’ s economic growth and helped provide bipartisan support on many key pieces of pro-manufacturing legislation . Prior to joining the Senate , Ananich served Genesee County for two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives and four years on the Flint City Council , including one year as its president .