Rosine to head legislative affairs
Aug. 29, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- An administrator with more than 25 years of experience in state government has been named Western Michigan University's new vice president for legislative affairs.
Gregory J. Rosine, former director of the Michigan Department of Transportation and one-time associate director of the House Fiscal Agency, was named to the WMU post Aug. 28 by President Judith I. Bailey. Rosine's appointment is effective Sept. 8.
"There are very few people who know their way around state government as well as Greg Rosine," says Bailey. "His experience in higher education funding issues and his ability to work effectively with members of both political parties on the local, state and national level will serve us well in these challenging times."
Rosine began his state government career in 1979 in the nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency, where he served as a fiscal analyst for eight years and as associate director from 1987 to 1997. He spent the following five years at the Michigan Department of Transportation, serving as chief administrative officer from 1997 to 2000 and as director from January 2001 until December 2002. In the summer of 2003, Rosine joined the staff of House Speaker Rick Johnson as business director and chief financial officer.
While at MDOT, Rosine oversaw the development and delivery of an annual $1.3 billion capital program, a total budget of $3.1 billion and more than 3,000 employees. He worked collaboratively with the state legislature, Michigan's Congressional delegation, local units of government and a variety of constituent groups. At the House Fiscal Agency, Rosine worked with Michigan's House of Representatives to identify and explain the fiscal and revenue issues affecting the state. A specialist in higher education funding, he was at one time or another responsible for every aspect of the state budget.
"I'm excited to put my experience with the state of Michigan and my background in collaborating with leaders at all levels of government to work for the University and President Bailey," says Rosine.
Rosine assumes chief lobbyist duties from Jeffrey Breneman, who left the University in July to become director of government relations at Bosch North America in Farmington Hills, Mich.
Media contact: Matt Kurz, 269 387-8400, matt.kurz@wmich.edu