Sitting quietly in the back of the Michigan House chamber, watching and listening to the action on the floor, state Rep. Lorence Wenke from Kalamazoo may appear content to play a silent role. But behind his quiet demeanor is a man determined to be a voice for owners and workers of small businesses, where his roots are planted.

PERSONAL

Wenke was born Oct. 9, 1945 and has been married to his wife, Nancy, for 40 years. They live in Richland and have two children, Lisa Ambrosio and Rev. Jeff Wenke, as well as six grandchildren. He has been a resident of Kalamazoo County for 58 years. Wenke graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School and holds a bachelor of business administration from Western Michigan University.

POLITICAL

LORENCE R. WENKE
R-Richland
63rd District

Wenke was elected to as State Representative in 2002 and 2004

Chairman of House Higher Education and Career Preparation Committee.

Wenke is also a member of Commerce, Transportation, and Education Committees.

State Representative Lorence Wenke was elected to the Michigan House to represent residents of Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties in 2002. Wenke is a member of the Judiciary; Commerce; and Local Government and Urban Policy committees.

PROFESSIONAL

Wenke has worked on the family celery and flower farm, was a manager at Westinghouse Electric Corp., was a licensed Realtor and worked as a nurse assistant prior to becoming owner of Wenke Greenhouses in 1971. In addition to his greenhouse, in 1980 he became a partner in the Michigan Grower Products and in 1982, became the owner of SunBelt Greenhouses in Douglas, Georgia.

PAST POLITICAL OFFICES AND AFFILIATIONS

Prior to joining the House, Wenke served as a Kalamazoo County commissioner for eight years, and was chairman for three years. He is a member of a variety of civic organizations including: Community Correction Advisory Board, Kalamazoo County Chamber of Commerce, Kalamazoo County Council of Governments, Kalamazoo County Park Commission, Kalamazoo County Republican Executive Committee, Kalamazoo Rotary Club, the Kalamazoo Valley Plant Growers Cooperative, the Michigan Grower Products and was previously the director of the Ohio Florists Association.