Senator James Marleau (R-12)
Senate Health Policy Committee Chair
EDUCATION
Jim has an Associates in Business and Finance from University of Toledo and is a Certified Municipal Financial Advisor (CMFA) through Central Michigan University.
PROFESSIONAL
Jim Marleau has been a businessman all his life. He has been a store manager, manufacturer's representative, and a business owner for more than a decade. As Orion Township Treasurer for 8 years, he worked with General Motors and the UAW to put a plan together that kept the Orion Township GM plant open.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AND AFFILIATIONS
As a long-time Northern Oakland County resident, Jim has been actively involved in many community organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, founding board member of the Paint Creek & Polly Ann Trail ways, and a founding member of the North Oakland Transportation Authority.
PERSONAL
Jim and his wife, Thea, have lived in Lake Orion for more than 25 years. They have raised their family with their children graduating from Orion schools. Jim was born March 18, 1947.
Senator David Robertson (R-26)
Senate Health Policy Committee Vice-Chair
Senator Dave Robertson has been at the forefront of many of the issues that have defined Michigan in more than 20 years of public service.
He was first elected to the Legislature in 1990 and was an early advocate of property tax relief, having participated in the legislative battles culminating in the passage of Proposal A. He returned to the Michigan House after the 2002 election and served until 2008.
Dave has been a consistent and passionate advocate for lower taxes, smaller government, and pro-growth policies. He understands that the key to growing Michigan's economy is in cutting excessive regulations, standing up for property rights, and harnessing the power of our entrepreneurial spirit.
Robertson is a lifelong resident of Genesee County.
Senator Rebekah Warren (D-18)
Senate Health Policy Committee Minority Vice-Chair
State Senator Rebekah Warren has worked in Lansing since 1993, serving for nearly six years as a legislative assistant to Democratic State Representatives Mary Schroer (Ann Arbor) and Hubert Price (Pontiac), and then as the executive director of MARAL Pro-Choice Michigan, the state’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-choice organization, from 1999-2006.
In 2005, Rebekah was honored for this work by the National Women’s Political Caucus of Michigan with their “Millie Award.” Named for the labor, civil rights and women’s rights activist, Millie Jeffrey, the award is given to a Michigan woman or women who have influenced women’s issues in the state. She is actively involved in Washtenaw County Democracy for America (DFA), Women Progressive Activists (WPA), and the Ward 5 Precinct 4 Democratic Party Organizing Committee.
She and her husband, Washtenaw County Commissioner Conan Smith, live in Ann Arbor.
Senator Joe Hune (R-22)
State Sen. Joe Hune was elected to serve the 22nd Senate District in November 2010 and assumed office in January 2011. He is chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Insurance and Redistricting committees, and also serves on the Health Policy and Regulatory Reform committees.
Prior to joining the Senate, Hune served six years as state Representative of the 47th District. He became the youngest serving member of the Michigan Legislature when he was first elected in 2002 at the age of 22.
Before entering elected office, Joe owned and operated an agribusiness in his hometown of Fowlerville, MI, and he continues to raise livestock and exotic animals on the family farm. He also served as a journal clerk and Page in the statehouse, was a real estate agent and judged livestock.
Upon graduating Fowlerville High School in 1998, Joe attended Michigan State University and earned a B.S. degree in financial planning from Cleary University.
He is a member of a number of local organizations, including Saint Agnes Church, the Howell Jaycees, Livingston County 4-H, Livingston County Farm Bureau, Livingston Association of Realtors and Michigan Association of Realtors.
Joe resides in Hamburg Township with his wife, Marcia Hune.
Senator Rick Jones (R-24)
EDUCATION
Rick received Police Certification from Lansing Community College Police Academy and went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University in Criminal Justice.
PROFESSIONAL
He worked 33 years in law enforcement, serving over 30 years with the Eaton County Sheriff Department. Rick started as a deputy and worked his way up through the ranks as sergeant, lieutenant, and captain before being elected sheriff in 2000.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AND AFFILIATIONS
Rick volunteers with Eaton Community Hospice, Meals-On-Wheels, and Area 8 Special Olympics. Rick is a Member of Grand Ledge Rotary, American Legion S.A.L Post 42, Eaton County Farm Bureau. Rick is an active participant in charity events: Crop Walk, Relay for Life, and Walk for Warmth.
SPECIAL AWARDS
Rick has been awarded the Service to Children Award from the Eaton County Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Council, the "Very Involved Person" Award from the Greater Lansing 100 Club for volunteer work, as well as appreciation awards from the Dimondale Lions, the Olivet Rotary, and the American Legion. He received the Charlotte Community Excellence Award for volunteer work from the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. He was also awarded Eaton County Sheriff's Award for Bravery. While serving in the Michigan House of Representatives, Rick has received "Legislator of the Year" awards from: Dads and Moms of Michigan, Fight Crime Invest in Kids, Police Officers Association of Michigan, Fraternal Order Police, and Michigan Sheriff's Association. He has also received special recognition from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, the "Brandi Award" from the Michigan State Bar Animal Law Section and an appreciation award from the Military Officers Association.
PERSONAL
Rick has been married to Charlene for over 35 years. They have two children, Kate and Charlie. They also have a grandson, Nick.
Senator Tonya Schuitmaker (R-20)
Raised on a family farm in Antwerp Township, Tonya has been a lifelong resident in Southwest Michigan.She is married to Steve and together they are raising their two children, Jordan and Savina, on the same family farm.
Tonya learned at an early age the value of hard work, the determination to do what is right, and the importance of helping others. While growing up, her family also took care of foster children. The lessons Tonya learned have given her a strong foundation and a desire to give back through public service.
In 1986, Tonya Schuitmaker graduated from Mattawan Consolidated High School. She holds a B.A. in business from Michigan State University and in 1993 Tonya earned her Juris Doctor and graduated Cum Laude from the Detroit College of Law.
After earning her law degree, Tonya became a practicing attorney and partner of the law firm of Schuitmaker, Cooper and Schuitmaker. Tonya started practicing law in 1993 where she concentrated in family, estate, business, and municipal law. She was admitted to the State Bar of Illinois (1996), Florida (1994), Michigan (1993), and the American Bar Association (1993). From 1997 to 1998 Tonya was President of the Van Buren County Bar Association. She is also a member of the Representative Assembly of the Michigan Bar.
Taking her interest in public service, Tonya ran for the State House where she successfully won by strong majorities in 2004, 2006 and 2008. During her terms of office Tonya has held a number of leadership roles and following the 2008 Election, she was appointed by her Republican colleagues to serve as Assistant Minority Floor Leader.
She currently serves as Minority Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Committee and is a member of the Appropriations Committee. As a member of the House Energy and Technology Committee, Tonya also is the Minority Vice Chair of its Subcommittee on Consumer Protection. In addition to these assignments, Tonya is a member of the Michigan Law Revision Commission.
Senator Judy Emmons (R-33)
Senator Judy Emmons is a mid-Michigan native, fifth generation farmer, mother of three, and grandmother of three. The senator serves more than 250,000 constituents in the 33rd Senate District which includes four counties: Clinton, Ionia, Isabella, and Montcalm. The 33rd District is the fifth largest district in landmass out of 38 Senate districts in Michigan.
Senator Emmons has a broad-based record of community service, including three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives where she served two years as majority vice-chair of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, and two years as minority vice-chair of the Military Affairs, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee and also the Highr Education Committee.
A graduate of Central Montcalm Public Schools, Senator Emmons has been giving back to her community by serving 12 years on the Central Montcalm Public Schools Board of Education, including six years as president of the board; four years on the Montcalm County Intermediate School District Board of Education; four years on the Central Montcalm Foundation Board of Directors; and as a member of the Montcalm Conservation District Board of Directors. She was appointed by Gov. John Engler to serve on the Michigan Teacher Tenure Commission.
Senator Emmons has a long history of service and leadership in the agricultural community as well, serving as a member of the Michigan Farm Bureau and on the Michigan Farm Bureau Board of Directors. She also is a life-long member of the Michigan Holstein Association and the Holstein Association of America.
Active throughout her State House district from 2002 through 2008, Senator Emmons focused on community activities and constituents' issues and concerns. She applies that same interest in service and results into the Michigan Senate.
Senator Emmons' leadership experience prompted her appointment to serve as chair of the Families, Seniors and Human Services Committee, and as vice-chair of Education. She also has been appointed to four other committees: Agriculture, Economic Development, Health Policy, and Military Affairs, Veterans and Homeland Security.
Many residents of the senator's hometown of Sheridan and the Central Montcalm schools know about her leadership in creative efforts along with other mothers to make reading fun for scores of students in the elementary grades. Others know her as a church organist since the age of 16 who still continues to play for churches throughout the mid-Michigan area.
Senator Emmons is a mentor for women, including serving as chair of the statewide SenateGOP Women Mattertraining and education program, just as she was mentored by her own mother, Phebe Wilson, who has served for more than four decades as township clerk in Montcalm County's Bushnell Township.
Senator Emmons and her husband Jerry have been married 40 years and they continue to take pride in and remain committed to their family history in farming, their children and grandchildren, and their community.
Senator John Gleason (D-27)
Senator Gleason is a graduate of Flushing High School, class of 1972. After high school, he graduated from Mott Community College and attended Northern Michigan University. Professionally, he worked as a skilled trade millwright for 30 years and is a member of Millwright's Local 1102 and UAW Local 598. John has lived in Genesee County for his entire life and is raising a family in Flushing with his wife, Karen. He has two children, a daughter, Clancy Rose, and a son, Eamonn.
Prior to entering state politics, Senator Gleason served as a Genesee County Commissioner from 1995-2002. During his years of local government service, he served on all of the major committees and played an instrumental role in the enhancement of Genesee County's parks and roads. Gleason also organized the annual Genesee County Health Fair—an event that included free health screening for local residents. As Chairperson of the Genesee County Economic Development Committee, he was active in working with local businesses and organized labor to keep Genesee County’s economy growing.
In September of 2001, Senator Gleason received a kidney transplant and is a spokesperson for promoting organ donations. He was presented the Carroll Clark Award for advocating diversification among women and minorities at the county level. In 2001, Gleason was nominated by the Flint Area Building Trades Council for the John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award for his tenacity to include women and minorities for positions on county boards.
He is a proud recipient of the 2002 Knights of Columbus Citizen of the Year Award and has been honored by the AFL-CIO as Local Legislator of the Year for his work as a Genesee County Commissioner. He has also received the Friends of Children Award in 2003 and the Michigan Concrete Pavers’ Legislator of the Year Award in 2005. Senator Gleason is the founder of Spreading Organ Donation Awareness (SODA) in Flint, and has received the National Kidney Foundation’s “Champion of Hope” Award for organ donation in 2006.
Senator Gleason is also a member of Sigma Alpha Nu F.O.P., the Lions Club, the Moose Club, the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Masonic Lodge 174, and is an avid hunter and sportsman.