Senator Bill Hardiman
State Senator Bill Hardiman, was born in Pontiac, Michigan on May 26, 1947. In 1949, the Hardiman family moved to the Grand Rapids area and has since resided there. Senator Hardiman has been very active in his community for many years.
In addition to being elected to the State Senate, Hardiman has served as Mayor of the City of Kentwood from 1992-2002. He has also served on the board of directors for the Grand Rapids Transit Authority, the Gerald R. Ford Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Grand Rapids Housing Center, Michigan Municipal League, United Way of Kent County, Spectrum Health Services, Grand Valley Metropolitan Council, Kentwood Foundation, Grand Bank, Crime Victim Foundation, Grand Valley State University Foundation, and Right Place Program (a regional economic development organization).
Senator Hardiman holds an Associate of Arts degree from Grand Rapids Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree from Grand Valley State University and a Master of Public Administration degree from Western Michigan University.
Senator Hardiman has been exceptionally active in his church, Grand Rapids First Assembly of God. Senator Hardiman was appointed by Governor Engler to the Secchia Commission on Total Quality Government and the Act 51 Transit Committee. Additionally he has received special recognition by the Ohio House of Representatives for political, civic, and community contributions. He has also received a number of awards for his service including:
- Grand Valley State Colleges, Colleges of Arts and Sciences
- Outstanding Senior: Public Administration - June 1977
- Graduated with "High Honors" - June 1977
- United Way of Kent County, Volunteer Award - June 1984
- Leadership Grand Rapids, Graduate - May 1989
- Grand Valley State University Distinguished Alumnus Award - 1993
- Governor Engler's appointment to Secchia Commission on Total Quality Government - 1994
- Grand Rapids Ethnic-Minority Networking Guide Achiever Award - 1995
- Grand Rapids Times 40th Anniversary Salute Award - 1997
- National Association of Home Builders Annual Local Official of the Year - 1998
- Giants Award -1998
- Executive Presbytery of the General Council of Assemblies of God; Superintendents Medal of Honor - 2001
- Michigan Family Forum "Champion for Family" Award - 2003
- West Michigan Public Relation Society of America Communicator of the Year - April 2004
- Michigan Federation for Children and Families Special Recognition Award - December 2004
- Michigan's Children Much Ado About Something - 2004
- Completed Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BIILD) - July 2005
- Michigan Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Family Friendly Legislator Award - September 2005
- Michigan Association of Health Plans Legislator of the Year - 2005
- Wolverine Human Services Achievement Award for Excellence - 2005
- NAACP Floyd Skinner Award - 2005
- Michigan Fatherhood Coalition Child Advocate Award - 2006
- Michigan Assisted Living Center Leadership Award - 2006
- Grand Rapids Community College Distinguished Alumni Award - May, 2006
- Michigan Friends of Education Literacy Advocate Award - 2006
- Congressman Paul Henry Integrity Award - 2006
- Grand Rapids Association of Realtors Real Estate Advocacy Award - 2006
- Michigan's Children Community Conversation Award - 2006
- Michigan After School Partnership "After School Champion" Award - 2007
- Ridge Park Charter Academy "Leading the Way" Award - 2007
Senator Hardiman speaks about hardships that he has endured as a child and the valuable life lessons that have shaped his beliefs. This has coherently guided Senator Hardiman to have a strong faith in God.
Senator Hardiman has gained national attention as one of the founders and current Chairman of Healthy Marriages Grand Rapids formerly known as the Greater Grand Rapids Community Marriage Policy, a broad-based program to promote strong marriages and family life.
Senator Hardiman and his wife Clova, of 33 years, reside in Kentwood. He was elected in November of 2002 to represent the 29th State Senate district, representing the cities of Grand Rapids, Kentwood and Lowell and the townships of Cascade, Lowell, Vergennes and Grattan.
Senator Bill Hardiman can be contacted by clicking here.