Who is Roy Schmidt?
In the late 1980’s Roy Schmidt took stock in his family, his home and his neighborhood and decided to become active in his lower west side community. He joined the West Grand Neighborhood Organizations and worked hard as a board member and eventual President of the group. He realized that he could be a much better advocate for his neighbors if he was on the City Commission. In 1991 Roy organized and mobilized his family, friends and neighbors and unseated a long time incumbent in the primary election. Roy was subsequently elected to four consecutive terms by wide margins.
Schmidt’s influence as a 16 year City Commissioner gave him several opportunities to serve the people of the northeast side of town as well. Roy has built his reputation on returning every phone call and responding with positive results for citizen requests. Among First Ward constituents the most common term heard about Roy is, “I called Roy, and he called back!?” Roy has been instrumental in leading the effort in City Hall to protect neighborhood associations and to strengthen the housing code enforcement programs.
Schmidt distinguished himself among other elected Michigan municipal officials as an outstanding member of the National League of Cities Human Development and Public Safety Committees. Roy was one of a group of national leaders who engaged in an effort to end unfunded mandates from the Federal Government. He worked with representatives in Washington and cities around the country to fashion legislation to require that the Federal Government create no new law demanding expenditures by local units of government. Roy has been a tireless State-wide campaigner to persuade the State Legislature to restore Revenue Sharing funding or to develop an alternative funding source so cities can properly fund police and fire protection services among other key elements of local government. Roy’s work has brought recognition from other municipalities throughout Michigan who applaud and support his leadership.
Schmidt was chosen by his peers to be President of the City Commission six times: 1994, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2007. He served on the Fiscal, Legislative, and Appointments Committees. In addition to those positions Roy was the Commission’s representative on the Brownfield Redevelopment Council and the Smart Zone Board of Directors.
Schmidt is President of the Board of Directors for the Grand Rapids Youth Boxing Foundation and has been a standing member of the Knights of Columbus for over 30 years. As stated above, he served as a board member and former president of the West Grand Neighborhood Organization and is a former director of the West YMCA.
Roy graduated from Aquinas College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Roy is a member of St. James Catholic Church. He is a life-long resident of Grand Rapids, growing up and still living on the West Side of our city. Roy and his wife, Donna, are parents to sons Eric, Ryan and Tyler. Roy is a Territory Manager for the pharmaceutical company Wyeth Inc.
