The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today announced that Robert S. LaBrant, Senior Vice President of Political Action & General Counsel, will start a transition to retirement over 2011 and 2012. As part of the Chamber’s leadership transition plan, Jim Holcomb will be promoted to Senior Vice President of Business Advocacy effective Jan. 1, 2011. “After more than 33 years directing the Michigan Chamber’s nationally-recognized political action program, and after 17 election cycles, Bob will step down at the end of this year as the Chamber’s Senior Vice President,” said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley. “I am very pleased to report that Bob will continue to serve as the Chamber’s General Counsel with primary responsibility for lobby law, election law, campaign finance, initiative & referendum, and ballot proposals. In addition to these key issues, a major focus of Bob’s work over the next 12 months will be on leading the Chamber’s efforts relating to legislative and congressional redistricting.”
I was shocked because it didn't dawn on me until I read the news release that Bob has worked for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce for over 33 years. Of course, even though it seems like yesterday, it's been over 23 years since my employment at the MI Chamber of Commerce ended.
I'll always be thankful to Bob (and Jim Barrett and Rich Studley) for giving me my first real job after college at the MI Chamber of Commerce. Bob was always a great source of wisdom and political advice. He's one of the top Michigan experts on campaign finance and legislative redistricting. (Michigan Chamber CEO Rich Studley made a wise decision to keep Bob on staff to help with the upcoming MI legislative and congressional redistricting efforts.)
Bob was not only my boss, I also considered him my friend. Thanks to him, working at the Chamber "spoiled" me for all of my future employment positions. Every job I've held since then has been measured (mostly on the minus side) by my positive experiences at the MI Chamber.
Thank you Bob and best of luck in your future endeavors!
Click here to read the entire MI Chamber of Commerce news release on Bob's transition.
Also, click here to read the coverage of this story on Bob LaBrant in Crain's Detroit Business.
There's the rub,...Michigan Chamber is like the TROY Chamber,,Business 1st,,,Unlike Clawson's Chamber,.,city 1st.
ReplyDeleteI can't speak about either the Clawson Chamber or Troy Chamber, but I can say that the primary purpose of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce is promoting policies to make Michigan a better place for job-creators.
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