February 22, 2021
Kalamazoo-based Southwest Michigan First has to get a new CEO. Former state House Speaker Lee Chatfield has resigned after several organizations pulled their support over his anti-gay views expressed while in the House. In a tweet, Chatfield said “for the betterment of the Kalamazoo community, the businesses that the board of directors represent, the staff at SWMF and for the sake of my conscience, please see the letter of resignation I offered this morning. I remain grateful for having had this incredible opportunity.” While serving in the House, he blocked a vote on legislation which would have expanded the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to cover the LGBTQ community. Chatfield also won election to the House in northern Michigan against an incumbent Republican because the incumbent supported the gay rights addition.
Former House Speaker says politics not a factor in new role at Southwest Michigan First
Updated Feb 15, 2021;
Posted Feb 15, 2021
Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) President Donald Trump arrives on Air Force One at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus on Thursday, May 21, 2020.
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Chatfield, 32, is the incoming CEO of Kalamazoo-based Southwest Michigan First, the nonprofit announced Thursday, Feb. 11.
“I’m excited about this new role, and to take it in a nonpartisan fashion,” Chatfield said during an interview with MLive a day after the hire was announced.
The former state lawmaker from Levering, in Northern Michigan, is looking for a place to move to in Southwest Michigan, he told MLive on Friday.
Kalamazoo city commissioner says new economic development CEO does not share the region’s values
Updated Feb 12, 2021;
Posted Feb 12, 2021
FILE - Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, speaks with reporters following the House s approval of a bill that would cut auto insurance premiums on Thursday, May 9, 2019, in the Capitol in Lansing, Mich. Leaders of six state legislatures in the Big Ten footprint have sent a letter to Commissioner Kevin Warren asking the conference to reconsider its decision to cancel the fall football season. The letter is written on the letterhead of Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield. It s also signed by statehouse leaders from Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/David Eggert, File)AP