John Engler
Michigan Governor (1991-2003)
First elected in 1990 as Michigan's 46th governor, Governor John Engler is now America's most senior governor.
John Engler served as Interim President of Michigan State University from 2018- 2019. He retired July 1, 2017 as President of Business Roundtable. A former three-term Governor of Michigan (1991-2003), Engler assumed leadership of Business Roundtable in January 2011 after serving six years as President and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers. Under John’s stellar leadership, Business Roundtable enhanced its reputation as a credible voice for an economy that serves all Americans. He has focused on giving policymakers solid research and arguments, reaching across party lines and always keeping a deep belief that the United States is the world’s greatest land of opportunity.
John was serving in the Michigan Senate when he enrolled at Thomas M. Cooley Law School and graduated with a Juris Doctor degree. He was elected Michigan Senate Majority Leader in 1984 and served until elected Governor in 1990.
Engler served on the board of advisors of the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal, an educational organization that continues the intellectual legacy of noted conservative and Michigan native Russell Kirk. Engler also served on the board of trustees of the Marguerite Eyer Wilbur Foundation. Engler was a member of the Annie E. Casey Foundation board of trustees until 2014. As of 2001, he serves on the board of trustees of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. As of 2018, he serves on the board of directors of Universal Forest Products. As of 2024, he serves on the board of directors for the National Charter Schools Institute. Previous board service included serving as a director of Dow Jones and Delta Air Lines and as a trustee of Munder Funds.
John and his wife, Michelle Engler, have triplet daughters.
“It was clear from all the reading I’d done, all the conversations I’d had with leaders in business, that education was becoming the defining difference among the states.”
— Governor John Engler
John Engler Library Contributions
