Rick Snyder

Rick Snyder
Name	Rick Snyder
Order	48th
Office	Governor of Michigan
Term start	January 1, 2011
Term end	January 1, 2019
Lieutenant	Brian Calley
Predecessor	Jennifer Granholm
Successor	Gretchen Whitmer
Birth name	Richard Dale Snyder
Birth date	19 August 1958
Birth place	Battle Creek, Michigan, U.S.
Party	Republican
Spouse	Sue Snyder, 1987
Education	University of Michigan (BA), University of Michigan Law School (JD), University of Michigan Ross School of Business (MBA)

Rick Snyder. Richard Dale Snyder served as the 48th Governor of Michigan from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he was previously an executive at the computer company Gateway, Inc. and a venture capitalist. His tenure was largely defined by the economic recovery of the State of Michigan following the Great Recession and his administration's handling of the Flint water crisis.

Early life and education

Richard Dale Snyder was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, and grew up in the community of Richland, Michigan. He attended Gull Lake High School before enrolling at the University of Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Snyder subsequently pursued graduate studies, completing a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business in a dual-degree program. His academic background in law and business formed the foundation for his future careers in the private sector and Politics of the United States.

Business career

Before entering politics, Snyder built a significant career in business and technology. He worked as an accountant for Coopers & Lybrand before joining the computer manufacturer Gateway, Inc., where he rose to become president and chief operating officer. After leaving Gateway, Inc., he co-founded the venture capital firm Ardesta, LLC, and served as a chairman for Ann Arbor SPARK, an economic development organization. His business acumen led to his appointment to the board of directors for Dow Chemical Company and he was an early-stage investor in several Michigan-based technology startups.

Political career

Snyder entered the 2010 Michigan gubernatorial election as a political outsider, leveraging his business background. He won the Republican primary against opponents including U.S. Representative Pete Hoekstra and Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox. In the general election, he defeated the Democratic nominee, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero. His campaign focused on reinventing Michigan's economy through a platform he termed "One Tough Nerd," which emphasized pragmatic, data-driven solutions over partisan ideology.

Governor of Michigan

Upon taking office in 2011, Snyder and Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley faced a significant budget deficit. His administration implemented major policy changes, including the signing of right-to-work legislation, a significant overhaul of the Michigan Business Tax, and the establishment of an emergency manager law. He presided over the City of Detroit's historic journey through Chapter 9 bankruptcy, appointing Kevyn Orr as emergency manager. His tenure also saw the elimination of the Michigan Film Incentive and the creation of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Flint water crisis

A defining and controversial episode of his governorship was the Flint water crisis. In 2014, an emergency manager appointed by his administration authorized a switch of Flint's water source to the Flint River, leading to widespread lead contamination. The Snyder administration was criticized for a slow response to public health warnings from experts like Mona Hanna-Attisha. Following federal investigations, several members of his administration faced criminal charges, and Snyder himself was later charged with willful neglect of duty. The crisis prompted major lawsuits, congressional hearings, and a state of emergency declaration by President Barack Obama.

Post-gubernatorial career

After leaving the governor's office in 2019, Snyder returned to the private sector, focusing on venture capital and teaching. He joined the University of Michigan as a professor of practice and became a partner at the venture firm Liquid 2 Ventures. He has remained involved in discussions concerning Great Lakes policy and Entrepreneurship. In 2021, criminal charges related to the Flint water crisis were filed against him, marking the first time a former Governor of Michigan had been indicted for actions in office.

Personal life

Snyder married Sue Snyder in 1987, and the couple has three children. They reside in Ann Arbor and are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor. An avid University of Michigan sports fan, he has served on the board for the University of Michigan Health System. His philanthropic efforts have included support for the University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation.

Category:1958 births Category:Living people Category:Governors of Michigan Category:Michigan Republicans Category:People from Battle Creek, Michigan Category:University of Michigan alumni