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'''Donald W. Koivisto''' (born August 18, 1949) is a Democratic politician from the state of Michigan. He was a member of the [[Michigan State Senate]] from 1980 to 1986. He currently is the Director of the Michigan State Agriculture Committee.
'''Donald W. Koivisto''' (born [[August 18]], [[1949]]) is a Democratic politician from the [[U.S. state]] of [[Michigan]]. He was a member of the [[Michigan House of Representatives]] 1980 to 1986 and the [[Michigan Senate]] from 1990 until 2002. As of 2007, he is the Director of the Michigan State Agriculture Committee.


==Early Life==
==Early life==
Koivisto was born in [[Gogebic County]] in 1949. He grew up on a farm near [[Ironwood, Michigan]]. He graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1967, and earned a BS in Political Science from [[Central Michigan University]] in [[1971]]. He worked as a corrections officer in [[Ontonagon County]] and was a farmer and teacher until 1980, when he was elected to the [[Michigan State House of Representatives]].
Koivisto was born in [[Gogebic County, Michigan]] in 1949. He grew up on a farm near [[Ironwood, Michigan]]. He graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1967, and earned a BS in Political Science from [[Central Michigan University]] in 1971. He worked as a corrections officer in [[Ontonagon County, Michigan|Ontonagon County]], a farmer and teacher.


==Political Career==
==Political career==
Koivisto was elected as a Democrat to the Michigan State House in 1980 to succeed Rep. [[Russel Hellman]], who retired. He represented the 110th District, which was located in the [[Upper Peninsula]] of Michigan, and included [[Iron County, Michigan|Iron]], [[Gogebic County|Gogebic]], [[Houghton County, Michigan|Houghton]], [[Ontonagon County|Ontonagon]], [[Keweenaw County|Keweenaw]], and [[Baraga County, Michigan|Baraga]] Counties. He served as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee from 1984 to 1986.
In 1980, Koivisto was elected as a [[Democrat (United States)|Democrat]] to the [[Michigan State House of Representatives]] to succeed Rep. [[Russel Hellman]], who retired. He represented the 110th District, which was located in the [[Upper Peninsula]] of Michigan, and included [[Iron County, Michigan|Iron]], [[Gogebic County|Gogebic]], [[Houghton County, Michigan|Houghton]], [[Ontonagon County|Ontonagon]], [[Keweenaw County|Keweenaw]], and [[Baraga County, Michigan|Baraga]] Counties. He served as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee from 1984 to 1986.


In 1986, he retired from the House of Representatives and became a legislative staffer for the Joint Administrative Rules Committee. In 1990, he was elected to the [[Michigan State Senate]], representing the 38th District, which includes all of the Counties in the Upper Peninsula except [[Mackinac County]]. He served on the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. Koivisto was the only Senator to vote against ousting Sen. [[David Jaye]] from the Senate, other than Jaye himself. He served on the Appropriations, Higher Education, Capital Outlay, Agriculture, and Natural Resources and Environmental Quality, as well as Gaming and Casino Oversight Committees. He served in the Senate until 2002. He was succeeded by [[Mike Prusi]].
In 1986, he retired from the House of Representatives and became a legislative staffer for the Joint Administrative Rules Committee. In 1990, he was elected to the [[Michigan State Senate]], representing the 38th District, which includes all of the Counties in the Upper Peninsula except [[Mackinac County, Michigan|Mackinac County]]. He served on the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. Koivisto was the only Senator to vote against ousting Sen. [[David Jaye]] from the Senate, other than Jaye himself. He served on the Appropriations, Higher Education, Capital Outlay, Agriculture, and Natural Resources and Environmental Quality, as well as Gaming and Casino Oversight Committees. He served in the Senate until 2002. He was succeeded by [[Mike Prusi]].


==Post Legislative Career==
==Post-legislative career==
After leaving the Senate, Koivisto became a lobbyist for the Iron Mining Industry. In August, 2007, The Michigan Commission of Agriculture appointed Koivisto the Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture, which is a state cabinet level position similar to the U.S. [[Agriculture Secretary]].
After leaving the Senate, Koivisto became a lobbyist for the iron mining industry. In August 2007, The Michigan Commission of Agriculture appointed Koivisto Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture, which is a state cabinet level position similar to the U.S. [[Agriculture Secretary]].<ref>[http://www.michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7-125-1572_3628-174032--,00.html "Agriculture Commission Names Donald Koivisto As New State Agriculture Director"] MDA Press Release, August 13, 2007</ref>


==Awards and Recognitions==
==Awards and recognitions==
In 1984, Koivisto won the Michigan Agricultural Conference Recognition Award for his work to help farmers while in the State House. He received the Michigan Farm Bureau's AgriPac endorsement as a "friend of agriculture" several times during his legislative career.
In 1984, Koivisto won the Michigan Agricultural Conference Recognition Award for his work to help farmers while in the State House. He received the Michigan Farm Bureau's AgriPac endorsement as a "friend of agriculture" several times during his legislative career.


==Personal Life==
==Personal life==
Koivisto lives in [[Ellsworth, Michigan]] and owns a farm that produces corn, soybeans, and hay. He is married to his wife Pam and they have four children. They belong to the Bethany Lutheran Church in [[Charlevoix, Michigan|Charlevoix]]. He enjoys fishing and hunting in his spare time.
Koivisto lives in [[Ellsworth, Michigan]] and owns a farm that produces corn, soybeans, and hay. He is married to his wife Pam and they have four children. They belong to the Bethany Lutheran Church in [[Charlevoix, Michigan|Charlevoix]]. He enjoys fishing and hunting in his spare time.


==Quotes==
==Refrences==
{{reflist}}
* "Doggone Dave, you did it again today,"[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DTNB&s_site=detnews&f_site=detnews&f_sitename=Detroit+News%2C+The+%28MI%29&p_multi=DTNB&p_theme=gannett&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F7539A31E797650&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM] Referring to Sen. David Jaye at an Ethics hearing.
*"Just because I was in the House and Senate doesn't mean I know everything," [http://www.michiganfarmbureau.com/specials/donald_koivisto.php]


==External links==

*[http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(qyf4bfm3s14vpnzt1no53hm4))/documents/publications/manual/1999-2000/1999-mm-0159-0159-koivisto.pdf Biographical sketch], ''Michigan Manual, 1999-2000'', p. 159
==External Links==
*[http://www.michiganfarmbureau.com/specials/donald_koivisto.php Koivisto Appointed Agriculture Director]
*[http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(kqtktwabek2xej4514weayao))/documents/publications/manual/1999-2000/1999-mm-0159-0159-koivisto.pdf|Official Biography from the Michigan Legislature]
*[http://www.michiganfarmbureau.com/specials/donald_koivisto.php| Koivisto Appointed Agriculture Director]
*[http://www.michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7-125--174032--,00.html| Agriculture Committee Article on Koivisto]


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Revision as of 20:33, 14 October 2007

Don Koivisto
File:Koivisto.jpg
Member of the Michigan Senate
from the 38th district
In office
1990–2002
Preceded byJoseph Mack
Succeeded byMike Prusi
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic
SpousePam Koivisto

Donald W. Koivisto (born August 18, 1949) is a Democratic politician from the U.S. state of Michigan. He was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives 1980 to 1986 and the Michigan Senate from 1990 until 2002. As of 2007, he is the Director of the Michigan State Agriculture Committee.

Early life

Koivisto was born in Gogebic County, Michigan in 1949. He grew up on a farm near Ironwood, Michigan. He graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1967, and earned a BS in Political Science from Central Michigan University in 1971. He worked as a corrections officer in Ontonagon County, a farmer and teacher.

Political career

In 1980, Koivisto was elected as a Democrat to the Michigan State House of Representatives to succeed Rep. Russel Hellman, who retired. He represented the 110th District, which was located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and included Iron, Gogebic, Houghton, Ontonagon, Keweenaw, and Baraga Counties. He served as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee from 1984 to 1986.

In 1986, he retired from the House of Representatives and became a legislative staffer for the Joint Administrative Rules Committee. In 1990, he was elected to the Michigan State Senate, representing the 38th District, which includes all of the Counties in the Upper Peninsula except Mackinac County. He served on the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. Koivisto was the only Senator to vote against ousting Sen. David Jaye from the Senate, other than Jaye himself. He served on the Appropriations, Higher Education, Capital Outlay, Agriculture, and Natural Resources and Environmental Quality, as well as Gaming and Casino Oversight Committees. He served in the Senate until 2002. He was succeeded by Mike Prusi.

Post-legislative career

After leaving the Senate, Koivisto became a lobbyist for the iron mining industry. In August 2007, The Michigan Commission of Agriculture appointed Koivisto Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture, which is a state cabinet level position similar to the U.S. Agriculture Secretary.[1]

Awards and recognitions

In 1984, Koivisto won the Michigan Agricultural Conference Recognition Award for his work to help farmers while in the State House. He received the Michigan Farm Bureau's AgriPac endorsement as a "friend of agriculture" several times during his legislative career.

Personal life

Koivisto lives in Ellsworth, Michigan and owns a farm that produces corn, soybeans, and hay. He is married to his wife Pam and they have four children. They belong to the Bethany Lutheran Church in Charlevoix. He enjoys fishing and hunting in his spare time.

Refrences

External links

Preceded by State Senator for the 38rd Congressional District of Michigan

Don Koivisto (D)
1990–2002

Succeeded by