Executive Director

Background information on Curtis A. Hertel, Sr.

Curtis Hertel joined the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority in August of 2003. He was formerly associated with Public Affairs Associates, a Lansing-based public policy management firm. Curtis served nine terms in the House of Representatives, the last three in significant leadership positions. During the 1997-98 term, Hertel was the Speaker of the House, after having returned majority control to the Democratic party on the heels of the 1995-96 term, in which he was the House Minority Leader. During the 1993-94 term, Democrats and Republicans in the Michigan House each held 55 seats, necessitating the forging of the first “shared power” agreement in Michigan’s history. Under that agreement, Hertel served as Co- Speaker of the House, representing the Democratic Caucus.

Hertel served in several other caucus leadership positions, including chairing the House Transportation Committee for 10 years. Throughout his legislative career, he was a member on 15 other House standing committees and was instrumental in the development of policy ranging from environmental concerns to labor issues to mental health. Among the most significant legislation Hertel sponsored was the creation of the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund; development of guidelines for truck safety; institution of consumer protections against gasoline pump fraud; establishment of parental kidnapping felony provisions; creation of the Michigan Transportation Economic Development Fund; implementing enabling legislation for the construction of a new stadium for the Detroit Tigers baseball team, and the establishment of brew pubs and micro breweries in Michigan. 

Curtis Hertel has been honored numerous times throughout his career as a legislator. In 1994, he was named one of several Public Officials of the Year by Governing Magazine; in 1993, he was named Legislator of the Year by the Police Officers Association of Michigan and also given the Civic and Humanitarian Award by the Arab-American Chaldean Council. He serves on the Board of Directors for Gleaners Food Bank, Education Freedom Fund, Corporation for Supportive Housing and Northeast-Midwest Institute. He is a member of The Michigan State Waterways Commission, The Great Lakes Commission and the Citizens Committee for State Parks. 

Hertel is the youngest of three sons who made their careers in politics. His brother, Dennis Hertel, is a former member of the United States Congress and the Michigan House of Representatives. His brother, John Hertel, is currently the chair of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners, the director of the Michigan State Fair, and a former member of the Michigan Senate. 

Hertel is a Wayne State University graduate and resides in Grosse Pointe Woods with his wife, Vickie. They have four children, Curtis, Matthew, Lisa, Kevin and one grandchild, Curtis James.