Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson hailed Chief Deputy County Executive Gerald Poisson’s appointment by the governor to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Executive Committee as a win for Michigan residents and an acknowledgement of Oakland County’s excellence in leadership.
“Jerry is one of the smartest people in government. He will bring years of public policy experience, legal know-how and prudent governing to the MEDC,” Patterson said. “In addition, we are honored that once again Gov. Snyder has tapped a member of our team to play a significant role in Michigan’s future.”
Poisson will remain chief deputy county executive while serving on the MEDC Executive Committee, a 20-member body that sets the strategic direction of the corporation. The board is comprised of business, university, and economic development leaders from across Michigan.
“Oakland County’s economic future is closely tied to Michigan’s,” Poisson said. “I look forward to having a voice in guiding the state’s future business development and job attraction efforts.”
This marks the sixth member of Patterson’s team the Snyder administration has utilized in a state government role. Director of Central Services J. David VanderVeen serves as Snyder’s chairperson of the Michigan Aeronautics Commission. The governor recently appointed Kristie Everett Zamora, Oakland County’s arts, culture & film coordinator, to the Commission on Services to the Aging. Deputy County Executive Robert Daddow had a role on the governor’s transition team. Snyder also appointed former Deputy County Executive Douglas Smith to the position of senior vice president of the MEDC two years ago.
In addition, Deputy County Executive/CIO Phil Bertolini is involved with a group started by Snyder’s CIO David Beehan called the CIO Kitchen Cabinet. It is a body of select CIOs from around Michigan who meet to advise the State of Michigan on IT matters.
Patterson appointed Gerald Poisson as chief deputy county executive in 2005, after serving as assistant deputy county executive from 1999-2004. Prior to that, the county executive appointed Poisson as corporation counsel. Poisson also was the chief assistant prosecuting attorney under Oakland County Prosecutor Dick Thompson before he joined the Patterson administration. He also served there as assistant prosecuting attorney/senior trial attorney when Patterson was prosecutor.
Poisson started his career as a special agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms. He earned his law degree in 1981 from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School and his bachelor of science in 1975 from Michigan State University. He is a current member of the board of directors for the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation.
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