Snyder's history in Ann Arbor proves his power to catalyze change in Michigan
Ann Arbor venture capitalist Rick Snyder, pictured during the summer at his 10th floor office in the First National Building on Main Street in Ann Arbor.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
But for many people in Ann Arbor who have witnessed Snyder’s leadership over the years, and the many who’ve looked to him for mentoring and direction, that description isn’t far off.
The most casual conversation with Snyder carries inspiration. The more formal discussions turn to setting direction, aiming for meaningful change and positioning leaders to catalyze ideas.
Those qualities drove Snyder from the most unlikely political candidate to lead Michigan into the winner of the most pivotal state election in our lifetime.
The changes facing Michigan will affect the course of this state for decades. We’ve already lost hundreds of thousands of jobs and much of our vision for how to reverse that direction.
Here in Ann Arbor, we’ve seen Snyder’s results. We know his capabilities. And while he just became a household name, this city’s business community has long turned to him for the type of vision so lacking in this state for so long.
Rich Sheridan, founder of Menlo Innovations, presented Snyder the first “Executive of the Year” award from Ann Arbor Business Review at our inaugural event in 2005.
Part of that “destiny” comes through in Sheridan’s words from that night in fall 2005.
“When the folks up in Lansing are wringing their hand about what we need to do to turn around our state’s economy, they often look to Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan.
“And then we all look to our honoree,” Sheridan said of Snyder.
The commitment toward making the community better comes from Snyder’s core.
“He deeply believes in Ann Arbor,” said Ken Nisbet as that award was announced five years ago.
He also deeply believes in Michigan, a sentiment that drove his bid for office. How Snyder pursues change for the state is likely to be similar to what he brought to Ann Arbor.
Nisbet, head of the University of Michigan’s Tech Transfer office, saw Snyder’s impact on the formation of Ann Arbor SPARK, when the governor-elect had to persuade the county’s business and community leaders that the old model - the Washtenaw Development Council - was ready for retooling under the new structure and vision.
The creation of SPARK pulled in U-M, a feat that set a new bar for the role of U-M in economic development, a place where the university continues to grow today, and not just locally. U-M is growing its business development profile across the U.S. and internationally.
Words that described Snyder in that role now transfer just as well to his campaign for governor. And I believe that few people in Ann Arbor doubt that they’ll also apply to his years as Michigan’s governor.
The challenges facing Snyder are monumental. Some of them will come from politics: He’s more moderate than much of the Republican Party. He won’t tolerate the self-segregating “us v. them” framework for debate found in much of the political world. He’ll build relationships but they may not be predicated on eventually generating votes.
Snyder’s track record shows that none of that will stop him from elevating Michigan in a meaningful way.
“Rick really had and has the vision, leadership persistence and the ability to build enough consensus to make this happen,” said Sabrina Keeley, then-president of the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce. She was describing the formation of SPARK, but may as well be talking about what he’ll bring to the fix for Michigan.
And anyone who wonders how his term will play out needs to know what Keeley saw from him, the types of basic qualities that don’t change in a person over time.
“He has stayed on mission from the beginning,” she said, “refusing to be deterred.”
Paula Gardner is Business News Director of AnnArbor.com. Contact her at 734-623-2586 or by email. Sign up for the weekly Business Review newsletter, distributed every Thursday, here.
Comments
Veracity
Thu, Nov 4, 2010 : 8:56 p.m.
Hopefully, Paula Gardner will publish Rick Snyder's specific plans for re-employing the 640,000-plus out-of-work fellow citizens. Ms. Gardner's extensive coverage of the Snyder campaign should provide her with unique insight into Mr. Snyder's thoughts and ideas. When Mr. Snyder takes office in January he should announce the number of unemployed in Michigan. Then, as each year of his governing passes, he should provide a revised unemployment number (adjusted for those who have left the state in search of work elsewhere).
Wystan Stevens
Thu, Nov 4, 2010 : 7:09 p.m.
Paula's headline tells us that Governor Rick has the "power to catalyze." And in the headline on Haglund's column, I read that he is going to be doing some "actualizing." Where, oh where, are the headline writers of yesteryear?
bugjuice
Thu, Nov 4, 2010 : 9:51 a.m.
It's his economy now. Nothing has changed and there is no hope on the horizon. Cutting taxes will add to the state's deficit. Only demand for good and services will grow the job market. Demand is created by people who have jobs and get a paycheck. Banks were bailed out and given taxpayer dollars. They have done nothing to help the economy, they have not made loans or encouraged investment and only solidified their own bottom line. The private sector is not doing anything and has not done anything for the last three years. So much for risk taking capitalists. So much for trickle down. Without jobs and decent paychecks to juice the economy all of the nerd's grandest proclamations are just talk.
John Q
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 10:03 p.m.
"Ann Arbor has fared well in this economy because of the university." There's plenty of college towns in Michigan and none of them is faring as well as Ann Arbor.
aakapoic
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 9:59 p.m.
Unless he is going to propose meth labs to reinvigorate the Michigan economy, I think the use of 'catalyze' in the headline is awkward at best.
TripleVSix
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 9:50 p.m.
"believes in Michigan? what does that mean?" It means more than "Hope and change" at least.
Peter
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 8:04 p.m.
Ann Arbor has fared well in this economy because of the university. Basically half of the population work/study at university. It brings a lot of students in from out of state who are very well off also. But, no, you should definitely claim that it was the liberal politics that sheltered ann arbor from the storm. What else could it be?
John Q
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 7:46 p.m.
Monica, A good contrast would explain how Ann Arbor has fared well in this economy and how lessons learned from that could help the entire state. But don't expect to get that kind of review from the business opinion pieces here.
Paula Gardner
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 7:27 p.m.
@ Monica R-W, This is a column. If you're looking for 'compare and contrast,' you'll want to search the site for previous news stories.
Monica R-W
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 6:31 p.m.
Wow! We maybe time for a contrast and compare type newspaper for the Ann Arbor area, you think? Is this an editorial or a flat out endorsement of our future "nerd" Governor? Hate to see if he does not create jobs to end our 13 percent unemployment rate because if so, this endorsement will blew so out of the water, right? Still waiting on the "nerd" actually PLAN(S) to create jobs. Duck and dodge will not work for Michigan's huge problems. Time will tell. Also, the "nerd" did not win Washtenaw County. Maybe an interesting bit into Michigan's future with the Snyder/Engler Administration re-delux.
Peter
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 5:38 p.m.
I hope hope he is able to figure out a way to curb the power of the UAW in Michigan. We have to stay competitive globally.
Jay Thomas
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 5:10 p.m.
"Rick Snyder purchased the governorship fair and square!" Actually, he could have only handed out flyers and still won. It's one of those years.
nonyo
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 4:55 p.m.
I'm a bit confused this year. Don't the Republicans believe in smaller government and private capital to provide jobs? Wouldn't he do more for the state by staying in private business and providing those jobs that only millionaires with tax breaks can provide? Aren't government created jobs 'Socialism'?
Veracity
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 4:50 p.m.
Michigan voters have elected Rick Snyder with the hope that he can re-employ the over 640,000 unemployed in Michigan. Be prepared for disappointment as his plans to reduce business taxes and eliminate regulations will have little effect on creating new jobs. Demand for products will never increase enough to motivate employers to hire in large numbers. Only federal stimulus funds targeted to expand infrastructure jobs will significantly improve employment until our work force is re-educated and retrained for permanent 21st century jobs.
SemperFi
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 3:17 p.m.
There isn't a track record for running a government like a company. Perhaps he'll propose running the state of Michigan as a for-profit enterprise? Begin by lowering taxes and raising fees. The users with money get to pay the bill; toll roads, actual cost for state parks, increased license fees for cars, trucks, ATVs and boats, increased fuel tax. How about making our legislators phones all 900 lines, then they'll actually get paid to listen to us. How about a banking fee on every monetary exchange? Oh wait, that's a sales tax. No worry, we'll still be lowering taxes and that's what was promised. Perhaps its time to start charging property tax on churches, mosques, synagogues and temples.
John Q
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 2:57 p.m.
The irony is that for Michigan to succeed, it needs to be more like Ann Arbor. But what Ann Arbor has achieved is an anathema to most of those who will be serving in Lansing. I doubt Snyder will have much luck in getting them to embrace the idea that Ann Arbor is a role model for the direction that Michigan needs to move.
bhall
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 1:39 p.m.
I'm not sure I see Synder's vision here -- believes in Michigan? what does that mean? sounds nice -- but I hope he has some success. The problems facing Michigan are much greater than the resources available in the governor's office to address them. What's somewhat concerning is he has zero experience in government. Let's not forget that our current governor was a lawyer and AG, though her political skills were zero, zilch, nada, and she got eaten up by the Republicans, her own party, and the special interests. Let's hope Synder learns some political skills real fast.
David Briegel
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 1:27 p.m.
He stayed on mission, refusing to be deterred. Yup. Refusing to answer questions. Refusing to state specifics. e.manuel Goldstein, He bought it with the help of the Chamber of Commerce. Almost equal credit is due them! Fair and square!
Soothslayer
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 12:59 p.m.
People voted and hired who they thought would do the best job. His message can't get much simpler: Reinvent Michigan. You can spend all you want on your campaign but in the end you still have to get voted (and hired) into office.
uawisok
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 12:57 p.m.
The private buisness sector and board room is not a democracy. If his buisness accume transfers to good things happening for Michigan great, but "proves his power to catalyze change" is quite a stretch and remains to be seen.
E. Manuel Goldstein
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 12:52 p.m.
Rick Snyder purchased the governorship fair and square!