Paul C. Hillegonds (born March 4, 1949) was a Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives. He served as co-speaker with Democrat Curtis Hertel from 1993 until 1994.
Hillegonds received his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Hillegonds was first elected to the state house in 1978, beginning his service in 1979. He previously had been a legislative aid and campaign chairman for U.S. Representative Philip Ruppe.Public Sector Consultants bio of Hillegonds He was the leader of the Republicans in the house beginning in 1987. He served as speaker of the house from 1995-1996, after having been co-speaker for one term.Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce bio of Hillegonds
In 1997 Hillegonds left the legislature to become president of Detroit Renaissance. He remained in this position for nine years. In 2006 he was a co-leader of 'One United Michigan the main group opposed to the end of affirmative action on the ballot at the time.Model D article on Hillegonds
From 2002 to 2004, Hillegonds served as a member of the Wayne State University board of governors.
Hillegonds now works as the director of government relations for DTE Energy.Motor Cities bio of Hillegonds
In early 2013 Hillegonds was appointed director of the newly formed Southeast Michigan Regional Transit Authority.Detroit Free Press Jan. 17, 2013
Origin of the name Hillegonds The name Hillegonds is originally Dutch. It is a matronymic and stands for "the child of Hillegond", a variant of the name Hildegonde. The family name probably does not occur any more in The Netherlands.
See also List of Michigan state legislatures
Sources Daniel Loepp. Sharing the Balance of Power: An Examination of Shared Power in the Michigan House of Representatives, 1993-94. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1999.
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