Former Lakeshore State Lawmaker Named CEO of State Panel

LANSING, MI (WHTC) – Former Lakeshore-based state lawmaker Paul Hillegonds has a new job, as the Michigan Health Endowment Fund’s board tabbed him to be its first Chief Executive Officer. The appointment came following a lengthy search process. The board oversees 1.56 billion dollars from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan as part of reforms enacted by the Legislature a few years ago. Hillegonds has been with DTE Energy for the past decade before his retirement last fall, and spent 20 years in the state House, including stints as that chamber’s speaker for his last four years in Lansing that ended in 1996. His new duties will begin on March 15^th.