Gary Peters named new Griffin Endowed Chair at CMU

Peters will replace Bill Ballenger.

Michigan Bureau of State Lottery Commissioner Gary Peters will bring years of political and business experience to his new role as the third Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government at Central Michigan University.

As chairman, Peters will teach two political science seminars and organize two forums each year that address public policy and political issues throughout Michigan. Peters also plans to implement an electronic journal that will bring students, academics and practitioners together on public policy issues facing Michigan and the country.

"As a former state senator, city councilman and candidate for Michigan attorney general, I look forward to sharing my nuts-and-bolts knowledge of public service with students at Central Michigan," Peters said. "I am also looking forward to hosting forums that will explore some of the public policy challenges we face in Michigan."

Peters' public service experience includes serving as a member of the Michigan Senate and the Rochester Hills City Council. His business experience includes positions as vice president of investments for UBS PaineWebber Inc. and assistant vice president at Merrill Lynch Inc., both in Rochester Hills. Peters also has served on arbitration panels for the National Association of Securities Dealers and the New York Stock Exchange. Peters served as a lieutenant commander and Seabee combat warfare specialist in the U.S. Navy Reserve.