Gov. Rick Snyder

Governor Rick Snyder grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan. He holds three degrees from the University of Michigan.

Following a successful career as partner at then-called Coopers & Lybrand, Snyder joined personal computer company Gateway. He was named president and CEO and guided Gateway to Fortune 500 status with more than 10,000 employees. He returned to Michigan in 1997 to co-found Ann Arbor-based venture capital fund Ardesta, whose mission is to be a source of capital to innovators and entrepreneurs and to turn budding ideas into exciting new Michigan companies.

Getting Michigan’s economy moving again is the Governor’s pledge. His goal is to continue to diversify Michigan’s economy to attract global companies, while providing a positive climate for existing companies and entrepreneurs to thrive.

In 1999 Snyder was named the first chair of the Michigan Economic Development corporation, where he helped lead the MEDC to one of the nation’s most respected public-private economic development programs. In Washtenaw County, Snyder provided the leadership behind nationally recognized local economic development firm Ann Arbor SPARK.

A political newcomer and self-proclaimed reformer with the moniker, ‘One Tough Nerd,’ the Governor has pledged a commonsense approach to efficient and effective government, applying business management principles for creating jobs and reinventing the economy, re-establishing Michigan’s innovative spirit, and restoring the state’s reputation as a place where families and individuals enjoy a high quality of life.

Rick Snyder and Sue Kerr Snyder were married in 1987 and are the proud parents of Jeff, Melissa, and Kelsey.