Edward Clemente was appointed as a Hearing Commissioner to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission on June 8, 2012 for a term that expires on June 12, 2016 and was recently reappointed for another four-year term.  Prior to serving on the MLCC, Mr. Clemente was the President of the Energy Innovation Business Council, which provides support for private, public and non-profit alternative energy programs.  He also served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2004-2010, representing parts of southern Wayne County.  Prior to holding public office, he worked as the President and as vice president of economic development, director of business development, chief operating officer and director of government affairs for the Southern Wayne County Chamber of Commerce.  Mr. Clemente also served 16 years as a Wayne County Community College District Trustee.  He also worked at the family owned restaurant, bar and bowling Alley for many years and had a 30-year career of playing rugby at all levels. He earned a bachelor's degree in public administration from Ferris State University, a bachelor's degree in social studies from Michigan State University and a master's degree in organizational leadership from Siena Heights University.

1. What has been your career path and how did it bring you to your current role?
   1. What step in your career path best prepared you for this job? Easy, grew up in a family bar and restaurant, called surprisingly Clemente’s.  Started hanging around there when I was 10 doing odd jobs, started getting paid when I was 12.  Worked there up until its closing in 2010. We had maybe 2 violations in 70 years, legally we got our License in 1933, one the earliest ones in Michigan, at the end of Prohibition. My family was really strict about following the rules of the alcohol business.  This has been very valuable in dealing with small bar and restaurant owners, and knowing how the business really works, it also allows you to be empathetic with their issues, but also how to do it right.
   2. Also worked and ran a chamber of commerce, Southern Wayne County, for 16 years, and once again worked with all types of businesses in the hospitality industry. Including casinos, caterers, Festivals, bars, hotels, restaurants etc.  I often still get calls from people I worked with there, mainly police departments, mayors, festival coordinators etc.
   3. Also serving in the Michigan State House of Representatives, was helpful on understanding Michigan Law, and now enforcing it. Several issues now that I see their consequences, makes me realize the ripple effect with legislation if it is not fully vetted.

2. What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in this job?

Understanding litigation, fact finding and how to manage it while being objective to both sides. In general I have been told that I am fair person, but to put into hard decisions is a bit of a challenge, for many Licensees this is their livelihood. However, after 4 years I think a much better handle on it.  Also I was reappointed recently and I want to thank the Governors Administration for their faith in me for a second term.  A lot of people helped make my job more manageable, which played a great part in that reappointment. 

3. Of all the issues you have worked on, if you had to pick your favorite (not necessarily the biggest issue), what is it and why?

Maybe not a specific issue, but having a new appreciation for law and the clarity of why it’s important to stay in the parameters of the law, due to the issue of dealing with a controlled substance like alcohol, and if it’s not handled responsibly, it has challenging effects.

4. What has surprised you the most about your current job? 

How many types of licenses exist, the vast amount of laws, rules and regulations, and the vetting process of getting a license.

5. What one thing would you like people to know about your department/agency that they might not be aware of? 

When I first started I was very impressed at how much knowledge and experience there was at all the divisions in the MLCC.  Many of the staff there have over 20 years of experience, and under Chairman Deloney’s time that I have been here, I have noticed both a greater respect for the seriousness of departments responsibility, but also the need to make sure that we operating more efficiently for both the private and public sectors. It has also been a real pleasure to serve with all the commissioners Gaffney, Quimby and Olshove.

6. At family gatherings, do they play 20 Questions with you about politics and government or avoid talking politics at all costs? 

Well I try to avoid all discussion of politics, but someone will always have legitimate question that often needs a thoughtful moderate response in today’s polarized world, and I try to give a good common sense answer.

7. What are some of your favorite activities to participate in on your free time?

Well I still love Rugby, but too beat up to play anymore. So most of my physical focus is on running, hiking, Mountain biking and definitely global travel.  But mentally still a big fan of science fiction (Heinlein, Dick and Herbert), historical, fantasy (big fan of Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings) and global economics (The Economist, George Friedman), in literature, internet, movies and podcasts.

Michigan Legislative Consultants is a bipartisan lobbying firm based in Lansing, Michigan. Our team of lobbyists and procurement specialists provide a wide range of services for some of the most respected companies in America. For more on MLC, visit www.mlcmi.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.