Arwood to serve as chief operating officer of Michigan Economic

Development Corporation
Mike Zimmer named acting director of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs department

LANSING, Mich. Gov. Rick Snyder today announced chief regulatory officer and director of
Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Steve Arwood will become the chief operating officer at the
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Snyder also named LARA chief deputy Mike
Zimmer as acting director of that department. Both appointments are effective immediately.
Steves track record of accomplishment and knowledge of our states business climate has been
instrumental at LARA and will make him a vital addition to the MEDC team working to spur even
more and better jobs for Michiganders and business development, talent and entrepreneurship
initiatives, Snyder said. Mike Zimmer is a dedicated, adept leader at LARA, and I appreciate his
willingness and commitment to take on this new and key role.
At MEDC, Arwood will focus on maximizing improvements and efficiencies to economic development
programs and driving best practices to help businesses grow their operations. Before serving as
director, he was deputy director of the LARA Division of Workplace Safety and Employment Security
overseeing the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Workers Compensation
and Unemployment Insurance Agency.
Steve brings an extensive career in business development to the MEDC. His experience in energy
development, the Jobs Commission and the National Federation of Independent Business combined
with his recent time at LARA makes him a great fit as we accelerate our focus on business
expansion efforts, said Mike Finney, president and CEO of the MEDC.
As department director of LARA, Arwood led major strides in cutting bureaucratic red tape to ensure
the most competitive economic climate for Michigan businesses while providing the best possible
customer service and protections for state residents and communities. He is a graduate of the
James Madison College at Michigan State University.
Zimmer will serve as acting director and chief regulatory officer of LARA, continuing to lead the
department in improving interactions with Michigan consumers while providing strategic
administrative oversight of the department. Zimmer has also served as deputy director of the State
Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules, director of the Office of Regulatory Reform under
former Gov. John Engler and worked for the Senate Majority Leader. Zimmer earned a bachelor's
degree from Michigan State University and his law degree from George Washington University.


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