Former Michigan House Speaker steps down from development group days after being hired By Associated Press Former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield Lee Chatfield said Southwest Michigan First needs someone with a "blank political slate that won't bring about the division that I've unfortunately caused." Chatfield represented a House district in the northern Lower Peninsula for six years and rose to the job of speaker during the 2019-20 term. Southwest Michigan First is a Kalamazoo-based economic group that assists companies in creating jobs in a seven-county area. Chatfield's hiring as chief executive, announced Feb. 11, was criticized in the Kalamazoo area because of his conservative political views.