Biography: Robert Thomas Ortwein, President
Robert possesses both a bachelor.s and a master's degree from Michigan State University. The bachelor's degree is in Social Science with a teacher's certificate (1971) and the master's degree is in Education with a specialty in Rehabilitation Counseling (1980).
Robert has had extensive experience in the field of Health. His previous positions include director of a crisis center; Substance Abuse Intake and Aftercare Coordinator; Administrative Program Specialist for 12 substance abuse programs; Regional Administrator of several substance abuse programs, and Project Coordinator of a federal grant in Ingham County Jail for the Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime (TASC) Program.
Robert was an adjunct professor for Lansing Community College's Substance Abuse Certificate Program for six years. He has taught six different substance abuse classes in both the Health Careers and Social Science Departments.
He has received various awards for his work in the health field by the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, and the Capitol Area Substance Abuse Commission. He has also been a consultant to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.
Robert has held positions with the Michigan Senate as the Health Specialist for the Senate Programs and Policies staff, the Administrator of the Senate's Health Policy Committee, and the director of Michigan's Senate Majority Policy Office. For two years, Robert was the manager of the Michigan State Medical Society's Department of Medical Economics and Health Care Delivery.
Robert was the Chief of Staff of the Michigan House of Representatives. Robert was responsible for the overall administrative operations of this institution of 110 State Representatives and 550 plus full-time employees.
Robert was the Vice President for External Affairs and Secretary to the Board of Trustees at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. He worked with the Governor's office and the Michigan Legislature. Robert traveled several times to Europe and secured several international agreements, including agreements with Germany and Russia. He was also the Executive Director of the Governor's College Student Leadership Forum.
Currently Robert is the State Relations Officer for the Auditor General of the State of Michigan. He works directly with the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches of state government.
Robert has been very active in civic affairs, serving on the Board of Directors of the American Lung Association's Michigan Chapter. Robert was a member of the University of Michigan's Genome Ethics Committee. Robert is currently a member of the National Assoication of Social Workers, Ferris State University's Advisory Council on the Professional Golfer's Association of America's Professional Golf Management Program, the Board of Trustees of the Friends of the Michigan Capitol, Inc., Constitutional Advisor to the Citizens For Michigan, and a member of Peoples Church in East Lansing, Michigan.
Some of Robert's specific career experiences include:
- Spearheaded landmark health care prevention legislation, "The Michigan Health Initiative."
- Secured articulation agreements between Ferris State University and two German Fachhochule Universities in Aachen and Straslund, Germany.
- Co-Directed the historical first Shared Power Agreement for the Michigan House of Representatives.
- Successfully negotiated an International Agreement between the City of Moscow, Russia (USSR) and the State of Michigan facilitating mutual cooperation in the field of Small Business.
- Served on the Governor's Panel on Smoking and Health appointed by Governor Milliken.
- Secured several multi-million dollar University building projects.
- Served as a consultant to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and various hospitals in Michigan, Illinois, and Florida.
- Served as a City Councilman for the City of Dewitt, Michigan, Co-founder of the city's recycling program.
- Recieved awards from the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, Michigan Council on Maternal Child and Health, and the Capitol Area Substance Abuse Commision.
- Researched, analyzed, and drafted over 100 pieces of legislation for State Senators and Representatives.
- Led staff that instituted Employee Assistance Programs in the Michigan Legislature (the first in a legislative chamber in the nation) and at Ferris State University.