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 ProChoice 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 lifelong 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 Senate GOP Women
Matter training 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.