Detroit Regional Chamber > Member News > Former Michigan State Representative Leslie Love Named Director of Government Affairs

Former Michigan State Representative Leslie Love Named Director of Government Affairs

February 1, 2021
 

DETROIT – Former Michigan State Representative Leslie Love has been named group director
of government affairs for the Piston Group according to the company’s Founder, Chairman and
CEO Vinnie Johnson. She will report to Group Vice President Frank Ervin.

Love is a former state representative who served in the Michigan legislature representing the
10th District from 2015 until 2020, when she retired due to term limits.

“Leslie Love’s legislative experience, including her leadership on commerce and trade, financial
services, regulatory reform and transportation and infrastructure committees will be a key
bolster to our government affairs efforts and overall growth strategy across the region and
throughout the country,” says Johnson. “Her leadership and relationships will be a welcomed
addition to our growing team.”

During her tenure, Love served on the appropriations committee, including serving on the
appropriations subcommittee for transportation and health and human services, and as minority
vice chair of workforce and talent development committee, and the appropriations subcommittee
on joint capital outlay. Additional committee assignments included commerce and trade,
financial services, regulatory reform, and transportation and infrastructure.

An accomplished lawmaker known for her ability to work across the aisle and across chambers,
Love has had numerous resolutions adopted, introduced and co-sponsored numerous bills, and
passed several bill amendments. She was also a leader in expanding growth opportunities for
small and minority businesses, increasing access to higher education and vocational training,
reforming auto insurance, and strengthening environmental standards. Additionally, Love
secured nearly $1 million, in private and public funds, for various programs throughout her
district.

Recognized for her political acumen, Love was appointed by Governor Whitmer to the COVID19 Nursing Home Preparedness Taskforce and the Michigan Science Technology Engineering
and Math (MiSTEM) Taskforce by former Governor Snyder. She also held leadership positions
with the House Democratic Caucus, Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, Michigan Legislative
Sportsman Caucus, and the Progressive Women’s Caucus among other regional and national
organizations.

Love holds a bachelor’s degree from Siena Heights University, a master’s degrees from Wayne
State University and Marygrove College.

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Piston Group, comprising of Piston Automotive, Irvin Products, Detroit Thermal Systems, and
AIREA, is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan. It designs, engineers, assembles and
manufactures a wide variety of automotive parts and systems. AIREA is an office design studio
and furniture dealer. Piston Group was founded in 1995 by industry magnate and former NBA
champion Vinnie Johnson, and is one of the largest private, minority-owned automotive
suppliers in North America.

Today, Piston Group employs nearly 10,000 people at more than 20 locations across North
America. Last year, the firm posted revenues of $2.9 billion. Visit www.pistongroup.com for
more information.