Jeffrey S. Ammon, newly-elected chair of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
LEGAL NEWS PHOTO BY CYNTHIA PRICE
by Cynthia Price
Legal News
“Prestigious” and “influential” are two very accurate terms to describe the position of Michigan Chamber of Commerce Board Chair, but “down-to-earth” and “unassuming” seem better adjectives for the man who will fill the position in 2011.
Jeffrey Ammon of the Miller Johnson law firm — which coincidentally tags itself as “Down to Earth, Down to Business” — displays the attitude of a true public servant when he explains that he is driven by the opportunity to affect policy that governs the way business is done in this state, making it easier for people like his clients to help Michigan prosper.
“That’s part of the reason I’m so excited about it,” Ammon says. “My work is primarily with business, estate and real estate, economic development, working with businesses that are affected every day by state laws. Now I’m lucky enough to be involved in the Chamber where I can make a difference for them.”
Ammon stresses that the Michigan Chamber of Commerce strives to impact legislation only in the state of Michigan.
There is a relationship with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; in fact the Michigan Chamber is “accredited” with the U.S. C of C, which is not true of all states. Individual area Chambers can receive accreditation status as well. Ammon said that while there are opportunities for interchange with the U.S. policy groups working on Federal legislation, that will not be his focus.
Ammon says, “I first got involved with the Michigan Chamber back in 1989 or 1990 when I started teaching their Michigan Property Tax seminar that they provide for members. I did that for a number of years, and then got more involved with their tax policy committee.” He chaired that committee in 2005 and 2006 and then in 2008 joined the executive committee and served on the board, which led to election as chair, which he starts Jan. 1.
He says that, naturally, the chair position will involve a lot more time than he has devoted in the past, but “great staff assistance” will mean his time commitment, while significant, is manageable. “I’ll chair four executive committee meetings a year, and I’ll spend additional time with Rich Studley,” President of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. “I might have other activities too, appearances, or participating in other organizations’ meetings.”
Ammon has already given of his time to various West michigan concerns. He is on the executive committee and serves as general counsel and secretary for the Economic Club of Grand Rapids. He is also currently on the boards of the Associated Builders and Contractors West Michigan Chapter and the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre.
Ammon has also distinguished himself in his field since he graduated, magna cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School. He served as Managing Partner of Miller Johnson for several years.
He is among The Best Lawyers in America, is ranked in Chambers USA for Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions, and is on the Top 100 List of Michigan Super Lawyers.
He represents a lot of different types of businesses on business organization and expansion, finance, real estate and construction, and helps companies find economic development incentives.
This dovetails nicely with the mission of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, “to be an advocate for Michigan’s job providers in the legislative, political and legal process.”
The organization represents approximately 6800 employers, trade associations and local chambers, including employers of every size and type in every county of Michigan.
Ammon is very confident about the way the state Chamber board develops its policy stances. There are committees for key issue areas, including energy, environment, human resources, and the tax policy committee Ammon chaired. “Those committees are filled with volunteers from the membership of the Chamber – these are all smart people who care and have expertise.” Policies come up from the committees for adoption by the full Chamber board. “When something gets to the executive committee,” Ammon continues, “it’s had a lot of thought, a lot of debate and analysis already.” He says their preference is to proactively adopt policy positions and not just react to policy proposals, but as a lobbying organization, the Chamber must do some of the latter.
The six or seven Chamber staff people in Lansing, about whom Ammon cannot say enough kind words, are also effective through spending time talking with state policy-makers and making sure the interests of all types of businesses are understood.
Ammon himself has a passion for both policy and advocacy, which he agrees not everyone does. Many who are capable of developing and crafting legislation may have difficulty with the compromise and consensus-building it takes to get it passed. Says Ammon, “It’s the difference between a political philosopher and a political scientist.” Ammon is comfortable with both, although his role will be more to facilitate the Chamber’s philosophy, with paid lobbyists doing the work “in the trenches.”
Ammon has recently vacated the position of Vice Chairperson for District II, which will now be filled by Dennis Eidson, President & CEO, Spartan Stores, Inc.
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