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| | <WRAP center round important 95%> |
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| | **Editor Note** |
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| | </WRAP> |
| ====== Rick Snyder ====== | ====== Rick Snyder ====== |
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| </WRAP> | </WRAP> |
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| **Richard Dale "Rick" Snyder** (born August 19, 1958) is an American business executive, accountant, venture capitalist, and politician who served as the forty-eighth governor of Michigan from 2011 to 2019. Prior to entering public office, Snyder built a successful career in business and technology, becoming known for his leadership at the software company **[[Gateway, Inc.|Gateway, Inc.]]**. His governorship focused on economic recovery, fiscal reform, infrastructure investment, and efforts to improve Michigan's business climate. His administration also became closely associated with the **[[Flint water crisis|Flint water crisis]]**, one of the most significant public health controversies in modern Michigan history. [(nga>National Governors Association – Rick Snyder. https://www.nga.org/governor/rick-snyder/)] [(formergov>Gov. Rick Snyder (2011–2018) – State of Michigan. https://www.michigan.gov/formergovernors/recent/snyder)] | **Richard Dale "Rick" Snyder** (born August 19, 1958) is an American business executive, accountant, venture capitalist, and politician who served as the forty-eighth governor of Michigan from 2011 to 2019. Prior to entering public office, Snyder built a successful career in business and technology, becoming known for his leadership at the software company **[[organization:gateway_inc.|Gateway, Inc.]]**. His governorship focused on economic recovery, fiscal reform, infrastructure investment, and efforts to improve Michigan's business climate. His administration also became closely associated with the **[[controversies:flint_water_crisis|Flint Water Crisis]]**, one of the most significant public health controversies in modern Michigan history. [(nga>National Governors Association – Rick Snyder. https://www.nga.org/governor/rick-snyder/)] [(formergov>Gov. Rick Snyder (2011–2018) – State of Michigan. https://www.michigan.gov/formergovernors/recent/snyder)] |
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| ===== Early Life ===== | ===== Early Life ===== |
| ===== Business Career ===== | ===== Business Career ===== |
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| After completing his education, Snyder joined the accounting firm [[Coopers & Lybrand|Coopers & Lybrand]], where he eventually became a partner at a relatively young age. He later transitioned into the technology sector and joined [[Gateway, Inc.|Gateway, Inc.]], one of the largest personal computer manufacturers of the era. [(gateway>Gateway Corporate History. https://www.gateway.com)] [(>nga)] | After completing his education, Snyder joined the accounting firm **[[Coopers & Lybrand|Coopers & Lybrand]]**, where he eventually became a partner at a relatively young age. He later transitioned into the technology sector and joined **[[Gateway, Inc.|Gateway, Inc.]]**, one of the largest personal computer manufacturers of the era. [(gateway>Gateway Corporate History. https://www.gateway.com)] [(>nga)] |
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| Snyder served as president and chief operating officer of Gateway and was credited with helping guide the company through a period of significant growth. Following his departure, he became involved in venture capital and entrepreneurship, investing in technology startups and emerging businesses throughout Michigan. [(>formergov)] | Snyder served as president and chief operating officer of Gateway and was credited with helping guide the company through a period of significant growth. Following his departure, he became involved in venture capital and entrepreneurship, investing in technology startups and emerging businesses throughout Michigan. [(>formergov)] |
| Unlike many Michigan governors, Snyder entered politics without prior elected experience. Campaigning as a pragmatic problem-solver rather than a traditional partisan politician, he emphasized fiscal responsibility, government efficiency, and economic development. [(>nga)] | Unlike many Michigan governors, Snyder entered politics without prior elected experience. Campaigning as a pragmatic problem-solver rather than a traditional partisan politician, he emphasized fiscal responsibility, government efficiency, and economic development. [(>nga)] |
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| His campaign adopted the slogan [["One Tough Nerd"|"One Tough Nerd"]], highlighting his business background and technocratic approach to governance. In 2010, he won election as governor of Michigan. [(>formergov)] | His campaign adopted the slogan **[["One Tough Nerd"|"One Tough Nerd"]]**, highlighting his business background and technocratic approach to governance. In 2010, he won election as governor of Michigan. [(>formergov)] |
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| ===== Governor of Michigan ===== | ===== Governor of Michigan ===== |
| ===== Flint Water Crisis ===== | ===== Flint Water Crisis ===== |
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| The most significant controversy of Snyder's governorship involved the [[Flint water crisis|Flint water crisis]]. In 2014, Flint switched its municipal water source as part of a cost-saving measure while a new regional water system was under development. Inadequate corrosion control treatment contributed to lead contamination within portions of the city's water system. [(cdc>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Flint Water Crisis Overview. https://www.cdc.gov)] [(epa>U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Flint Water. https://www.epa.gov)] | The most significant controversy of Snyder's governorship involved the **[[controversies:flint_water_crisis|Flint Water Crisis]]**. In 2014, Flint switched its municipal water source as part of a cost-saving measure while a new regional water system was under development. Inadequate corrosion control treatment contributed to lead contamination within portions of the city's water system. [(cdc>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Flint Water Crisis Overview. https://www.cdc.gov)] [(epa>U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Flint Water. https://www.epa.gov)] |
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| The crisis generated widespread criticism of state and local decision-making and prompted multiple investigations by state and federal authorities. Snyder publicly apologized for the state's failures and oversaw efforts to replace lead service lines and address public health concerns. [(>epa)] [(>cdc)] | The crisis generated widespread criticism of state and local decision-making and prompted multiple investigations by state and federal authorities. Snyder publicly apologized for the state's failures and oversaw efforts to replace lead service lines and address public health concerns. [(>epa)] [(>cdc)] |
| ===== See Also ===== | ===== See Also ===== |
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| * [[jennifer_granholm|Jennifer Granholm]] | * **[[jennifer_granholm|Jennifer Granholm]]** |
| * [[Gretchen Whitmer|Gretchen Whitmer]] | * **[[Gretchen Whitmer|Gretchen Whitmer]]** |
| * [[Flint Water Crisis|Flint Water Crisis]] | * **[[controversies:flint_water_crisis|Flint Water Crisis]]** |
| * [[Michigan Governors|Michigan Governors]] | * **[[Michigan Governors|Michigan Governors]]** |
| * [[University of Michigan|University of Michigan]] | * **[[University of Michigan|University of Michigan]]** |
| * [[Gateway, Inc.|Gateway, Inc.]] | * **[[Gateway, Inc.|Gateway, Inc.]]** |
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| ~~REFNOTES~~ | ~~REFNOTES~~ |