About
Gary Peters is a fifth-generation Oakland County native, a former Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Reserve, and an accomplished businessman who served as Vice President for two major investment firms. Twice elected from Oakland County to serve in the Michigan Senate, Gary worked to cut taxes for middle class families, and he earned a strong reputation for fiscal responsibility and effective, bipartisan leadership.
Taking Action for Oakland County Families
While in the Senate, Gary led efforts to:
Fiscal Responsibility
Gary spent twenty years as a leader in the business community as a Vice President at both Merrill Lynch and UBS/PaineWebber, so he understands what it means to balance a budget, and he knows how to cut wasteful spending when he sees it.
A Tradition of Service
The son of a WWII veteran, Gary Peters was 34 years old and a successful financial manager living in Oakland County when he raised his right hand and took the oath of an officer in the US Navy Reserve. Gary went on to train as a Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist, a logistics officer, and a sharpshooter - and served part of his reserve duty in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch.
Following the terrorist attacks on September 11th, Gary signed back up for the Navy Reserve, and again served overseas in support of US operations. During his twelve years of service, he received numerous awards and citations, including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
Education
A product of our Michigan Schools and Universities, Gary earned a B.A. in Political Science at Alma College (Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa), a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Detroit Mercy, and a Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University Law School.
A strong believer in life long learning, Gary most recently earned a Master of Arts in Philosophy with a specialty in the Ethics of Development from Michigan State University. He has also taught Strategic Management and Business Policy at Oakland University in Rochester and was an instructor of Finance at Wayne State University.
Gary was recently named the Griffin Chair of American Government at Central Michigan University where he will continue his work in higher education, teaching seminars and organizing forums focusing on major public policy challenges facing Michigan.
Family and Community
Gary Peters was born and raised here in Oakland County. His family settled in Rochester in the early 1800's and they have lived in Oakland County for five generations.
Gary's father is a retired public school teacher and his mother is a retired union steward who worked in a local nursing home. He is married to Colleen Ochoa, who works as Director of Philanthropic Services for the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and shares Gary's passion for community service.
The Peters have three children: Gary, Jr., Madeleine and Alana. Gary, Jr. is a graduate of Albion College, and Madeleine and Alana attend the Bloomfield Hills public schools.
Learn More
To learn more about Gary's plan for real leadership on the critical issues facing Oakland County, please click here.
Taking Action for Oakland County Families
On his very first day in the Michigan Senate in 1995, Gary Peters introduced three bills to cut taxes for middle class families and three bills to improve children's health care. He was elected by his colleagues to serve as the Chairman of the Senate Democratic caucus, and went on to build a strong record of bipartisan leadership, having more of his bills signed into law than any other Democratic Senator."A thoughtful and effective legislator who placed the interests of his district ahead of partisan politics." - The Detroit News, 10/15/02
While in the Senate, Gary led efforts to:
- Defend the Great Lakes by banning directional oil drilling,
- Protect our police by making it a crime for a convicted felon to possess body armor,
- Improve education by increasing the use of technology in classrooms,
- Protect children by cracking down on sex offenders and making sure that violent criminals serve out their sentences.
Fiscal Responsibility
"We admire the fresh thinking Peters, a former state lawmaker and investment advisor, brought to his lottery job." - Crain's Detroit Business, 10/13/06In the Michigan Senate, Gary Peters ran his office so efficiently, that he was able to return the equivalent of a full-year's operating budget back to the state - saving the taxpayers money. As the Commissioner of the Michigan Lottery, Gary again cut administrative costs, came in under budget every year, resulting in increased revenues for public schools. Earlier in his career, as a member of the Rochester Hills City Council, Gary used his financial expertise to help uncover an overcharge by the city and save the taxpayers nearly $400,000.
Gary spent twenty years as a leader in the business community as a Vice President at both Merrill Lynch and UBS/PaineWebber, so he understands what it means to balance a budget, and he knows how to cut wasteful spending when he sees it.
A Tradition of Service
"A sterling record of Navy service as a lieutenant commander and sharpshooter." - Detroit Free Press, 7/8/2007
The son of a WWII veteran, Gary Peters was 34 years old and a successful financial manager living in Oakland County when he raised his right hand and took the oath of an officer in the US Navy Reserve. Gary went on to train as a Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist, a logistics officer, and a sharpshooter - and served part of his reserve duty in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. Following the terrorist attacks on September 11th, Gary signed back up for the Navy Reserve, and again served overseas in support of US operations. During his twelve years of service, he received numerous awards and citations, including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
Education
A product of our Michigan Schools and Universities, Gary earned a B.A. in Political Science at Alma College (Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa), a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Detroit Mercy, and a Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University Law School.
A strong believer in life long learning, Gary most recently earned a Master of Arts in Philosophy with a specialty in the Ethics of Development from Michigan State University. He has also taught Strategic Management and Business Policy at Oakland University in Rochester and was an instructor of Finance at Wayne State University.
Gary was recently named the Griffin Chair of American Government at Central Michigan University where he will continue his work in higher education, teaching seminars and organizing forums focusing on major public policy challenges facing Michigan.
Family and Community
Gary Peters was born and raised here in Oakland County. His family settled in Rochester in the early 1800's and they have lived in Oakland County for five generations.Gary's father is a retired public school teacher and his mother is a retired union steward who worked in a local nursing home. He is married to Colleen Ochoa, who works as Director of Philanthropic Services for the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and shares Gary's passion for community service.
The Peters have three children: Gary, Jr., Madeleine and Alana. Gary, Jr. is a graduate of Albion College, and Madeleine and Alana attend the Bloomfield Hills public schools.
Learn More
To learn more about Gary's plan for real leadership on the critical issues facing Oakland County, please click here.
