Legislator Details


Richard Posthumus
AKA:
Number of sessions served 8
Gender: Male
Age at election: 32

Vital Records Information:

Birth

Date: 7/19/1950
City: Hastings, MI
County: Barry County, MI
Country: US
 

Death

Date:
City:
County:
Country:
Type of Burial:

Burial

Date:
City:
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Country:
Cemetery:

Marital Information:
married Pamela Bartz, 1972; children: Krista, Lisa, Heather & Bryan

Number of Children: 4


Background

Religion: Church of the Brethren
Military Service:
Occupation: farmer
Race: Caucasian or White

Education:
BS, Michigan State University

Biographical Sketch:
He held a board position with Compatico, a Grand Rapids furniture manufacturing company, where he served as CEO until summer of 2009. Appointed senior adviser to Governor Snyder, November 2010. Appointed Chief of Staff to Governor Snyder, February 2017.

Notable Facts:
Served as Senate majority leader for 8 years and served in the Senate from 1983-98.


Sessions Served:

Eighty-Ninth Legislature, 1997-1998

Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On:
Postions Held: Majority Leader

City of Residence: Alto
County of Residence Kent
District: 31
District Description: Townships of Tyrone, Solon, Nelson, Spencer, Algoma, Courtland, Oakfield, Cannon, Grattan, Grand Rapids, Ada, Vergennes, Lowell, Cascade, Byron, Gaines, Caledonia and Bowne; cities of Cedar Springs, Rockford. East Grand Rapids, Lowell, Grandville, Kentwood and Wyoming

Date Elected: 11/8/1994
Date Sworn In: 1/11/1995
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Member of the Legislative Council and the Senate Fiscal Agency Governing Board. Became Lt. Gov. on 1999.

Eighty-Eighth Legislature, 1995-1996

Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On:
Postions Held: Minority Leader

City of Residence: Alto
County of Residence Kent
District: 31
District Description: Townships of Tyrone, Solon, Nelson, Spencer, Algoma, Courtland, Oakfield, Cannon, Grattan, Grand Rapids, Ada, Vergennes, Lowell, Cascade, Byron, Gaines, Caledonia and Bowne; cities of Cedar Springs, Rockford. East Grand Rapids, Lowell, Grandville, Kentwood and Wyoming

Date Elected: 11/8/1994
Date Sworn In: 1/11/1995
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status:

Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Alternate Chair for the Legislative Council; member of the Senate Fiscal Agency Governing Board

Eighty-Sixth Legislature, 1991-1992

Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Legislative Council , Reapportionment
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Alto
County of Residence Kent
District: 31
District Description:

Date Elected: 11/6/1990
Date Sworn In: 1/9/1991
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status:

Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair: Legislative Council; Reapportionment. Member: Legislative Retirement Board.

Eighty-Seventh Legislature, 1993-1994

Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Government Operations , Reapportionment
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Alto
County of Residence Kent
District: 31
District Description: Twps of Algona, Alpine, Bowne, Byron, Caledonia, Cascade, Courtland (pt. tract 107 [that portion of Courtland Twp. which are islands within Rockford City]), Gaines, Lowell, Nelson, Plainfield, Solon, Sparta, Spencer and Tyrone; Cities of Cedar Springs, Grandville, Kentwood, Lowell, Rockford, Walker and Wyoming in Kent Co.; Jamestown Twp in Ottawa Co.

Date Elected: 11/6/1990
Date Sworn In: 1/9/1991
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected

Maritial Status: Married
Notes: He also served as a member of the Legislative Council and the Legislative Retirement Board of Trustees

Eighty-Fifth Legislature, 1989-1990

Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Commerce and Technology, Economic Development , Finance
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Alto
County of Residence Kent
District: 31
District Description: Twps of Algona, Alpine, Bowne, Byron, Caledonia, Cascade, Courtland (pt. tract 107 [that portion of Courtland Twp. which are islands within Rockford City]), Gaines, Lowell, Nelson, Plainfield, Solon, Sparta, Spencer and Tyrone; Cities of Cedar Springs, Grandville, Kentwood, Lowell, Rockford, Walker and Wyoming in Kent Co.; Jamestown Twp in Ottawa Co.

Date Elected: 11/4/1986
Date Sworn In: 1/14/1987
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected

Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Commerce and Technology; Vice-Chair of the Committee on Economic Development; Served on the Legislative Council Chair on the Legislative Retirement Board of Trustees

Eighty-Fourth Legislature, 1987-1988

Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Commerce and Technology, Energy, Legislative Council , Finance
Postions Held: Assistant Majority Leader

City of Residence: Lowell
County of Residence Kent
District: 31
District Description: Twps of Algona, Alpine, Bowne, Byron, Caledonia, Cascade, Courtland (pt. tract 107 [that portion of Courtland Twp. which are islands within Rockford City]), Gaines, Lowell, Nelson, Plainfield, Solon, Sparta, Spencer and Tyrone; Cities of Cedar Springs, Grandville, Kentwood, Lowell, Rockford, Walker and Wyoming in Kent Co.; Jamestown Twp in Ottawa Co.

Date Elected: 11/4/1986
Date Sworn In: 1/14/1987
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected

Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Commerce & Technology; Vice Chair of the Committee on Energy; Member of the

Eighty-Second Legislature, 1983-1984

Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Finance & Municipalities
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Lowell
County of Residence Kent
District: 31
District Description: Townships of Algona, Alpine, Bowne, Byron, Caledonia, Cascade, Courtland (pt. tract 107 [that portion of Courtland Twp. which are islands within Rockford City]), Gaines, Lowell, Nelson, Plainfield, Solon, Sparta, Spencer and Tyrone; Cities of Cedar Springs, Grandville, Kentwood, Lowell, Rockford, Walker and Wyoming in Kent Co.; Jamestown Township in Ottawa Co.

Date Elected: 11/2/1982
Date Sworn In: 1/12/1983
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status:

Maritial Status: Married
Notes:

Eighty-Third Legislature, 1985-1986.

Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Commerce , Finance
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Ottawa
County of Residence Kent
District: 31
District Description: Townships of Algona, Alpine, Bowne, Byron, Caledonia, Cascade, Courtland (pt. tract 107 [that portion of Courtland Twp. which are islands within Rockford City]), Gaines, Lowell, Nelson, Plainfield, Solon, Sparta, Spencer and Tyrone; Cities of Cedar Springs, Grandville, Kentwood, Lowell, Rockford, Walker and Wyoming in Kent County; Jamestown Township in Ottawa County

Date Elected: 11/2/1982
Date Sworn In: 1/1/1753
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status:

Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Commerce; alternate for the Legislative Council

Bibliography:

MICAP flier 1997; Manual 1987 p.132; 1988 Michigan Legislative Handbook p.18;