DISTRICT AND FAMILY
State Representative John Proos currently represents northern Berrien County in the Michigan House of Representatives. He was elected in November 2004 and is a life-long resident of St. Joseph, where he resides with his wife Kristy and three children, Elena, Jack and Nora.
EDUCATION
Rep. Proos is a 1988 graduate of Lake Michigan Catholic High School. He holds a bachelor of Political Science from Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI and a Master's in Higher Education Administration from Michigan State University.
PROFESSIONAL
Prior to being elected in 2004, Proos worked on the staff of Congressman Fred Upton serving as Deputy Chief of Staff and District Director. Proos also worked as Vice President of Heritage Homes Inc. of Michigan in Berrien County.
PAST PUBLIC AFFILIATIONS
Proos has served as a member and Chairman of the Berrien County Republican Party and member of the Berrien County Election Staff for the Bush/Cheney campaign in 2000. Proos was a member of the Lakeland Regional Health System Community Benefits Committee as well as HOSTS mentor for Benton Harbor Area Schools.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AND AFFILIATIONS
Proos is active in many southwest Michigan groups including the Rotary Club of St. Joseph/Benton Harbor and the United Way of Southwest Michigan. He is a board member of the Berrien Community Foundation, and the Bridges to Digital Excellence and member of St. Joseph the Provider Knights of Columbus Chapter of St. Joseph Catholic Parish as well as the Coloma American Legion Post 362.
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Proos is serving on the House Appropriations Committee for the 2009-2010 Legislative Session. He is Minority Vice Chair of the Corrections subcommittee and member of the Human Services subcommittee, New Economy and Quality Biosciences subcommittee, Joint Capital Outlay Committee, and the House Energy and Technology Committee.
LEGISLATIVE AWARDS
2005 Wine Michigan Legislator of the Year
2006 Michigan State Medical Society Legislator of the Year
2006 Literacy Advocate Award
2006 Michigan Agri-Business Association Agricultural Advocate Award
2007 Healthy Legislator Award, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
2008 Habitat for Humanity Legislative Build Co-Chair
2008 Healthy Legislator Award, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
2009 Champion of School Health Award, School Health Coordinators Assoc.
LEGISLATIVE ASSIGNMENTS:
Chairman of the Strategic Task Force on Job Creation
Chairman of the Republican Caucus, 07-08
Co-Chairman, Michigan Fire Service Caucus
Co-Chairman, Michigan Non-Profit Caucus
Co-Chairman, Southwest Michigan Caucus
Member, Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Member, Michigan Boating Caucus
