Senator Mark Jansen

Political
Jansen was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in November 1996 and was re-elected twice, serving through 2002. Jansen served all six years on the House Appropriations Committee, having been one of only two freshmen appointed to this post by leadership.  He chaired the Family Independence Agency subcommittee, was vice-chair of the Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Natural Resources and Agriculture subcommittees and served on the Higher Education, Community Health and Transportation subcommittees.

During his first term, he was elected by his peers to be an assistant minority whip and was a member of the House Bipartisan Urban Caucus. During his second term, the Speaker appointed Jansen to lead the House Republican Policy Committee and to serve on the House Republican Campaign Committee. In 1998-1999, Jansen was named vice-chair of the Legislative Effectiveness Committee for the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and was appointed to serve on the Fiscal, Oversight and Intergovernmental Committee of the Assembly of States Issues for NCSL. Jansen was also a board member for Michigan Youth in Government and served on the Steering Committee for the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD).

Before his tenure in the Michigan House, Jansen was elected as the Gaines Township Clerk from 1992-1996.

Awards
Michigan Community College Association Recognition Award - 2009
Michigan Republican National Hispanic Assembly - 2008 Michigan Legislator of the Year
Michigan's Children - 2007 Legislative Hero
Michigan Soft Drink Association - 2007 Legislative Leadership Award
Michigan Non-Profit Association - 2007 National Service Champion Award
Michigan Municipal League - Legislator Salute
Michigan Volunteer Champion 2007 from Connect Michigan Alliance & MNA
Police Officers Association of Michigan: 2008 Legislator of the Year

Professional and Community Service
In 2003, Jansen began as director of special initiatives for Habitat for Humanity of Michigan. He leads a unique program called Vision 2020 where he brings together local community leaders, non-profits, for-profits and other parties interested in eliminating sub-standard housing and encouraging change in specific geographic areas of Michigan. He also is a Kent County road commissioner, a board member of Wedgwood Christian Services for youth, and vice-president of Cutlerville Christian School Board. He has been an elder at Covenant Christian Reformed Church, Director of Youth Ministries from 1989-1996 and a missionary in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky from 1984 to 1987. He also spent over 5 years in the Computer Industry.

Education
Jansen graduated from South Christian High School in Grand Rapids and attended Grand Valley State University and Calvin College.

Personal
Born September 13, 1959, Mark is married to LeAnne and they have four children: Sarah (married to Jason Noteboom), 22; Bradley, 19; Anna, 16 and Nathan, 13. The family lives in Gaines Township and are members of Covenant Christian Reformed Church.

Senator Mark Jansen can be contacted by clicking here.