10 Within 10 Recognition

Andrea LaFontaine, ’09 M.A. ’11, loves telling about her recent hog-hunting trip in Florida and about Army crawling through the tall grass to bag her first turkey.

As an avid hunter and fisher knows, you have to be patient to come out on top. That knowledge comes in handy for LaFontaine, who, at 27 years old, serves as the youngest member of Michigan’s House of Representatives.

LaFontaine was first elected in November 2010 to the Michigan House and represents residents in portions of Macomb and St. Clair counties.

She brought with her some unique experience, namely nine years as a server at the Country Kitchen restaurant in Richmond.

“When you wait on people in your town every day, you really have your finger on the pulse of the community,” LaFontaine says. “When you talk to them every day – even over eggs and toast – you know what’s going on. I always remember the things we do affect real people. I keep their faces in my mind.”

She also learned to listen.

“Whether you’re taking an order or listening to someone’s unemployment concern, it’s so important,” she says. “In order to truly represent people, I need to listen to all of them – whether I agree with them or not.”

LaFontaine earned a leadership position during her second term in the House – chief deputy whip.

“Being young in this job is an uphill battle,” she says. “I’ve had to prove my worth, prove I can do the job as well as my 50-year-old colleagues.

“When I was running for office, I was told on an almost daily basis that I’m too young and it wouldn’t happen,” she says. “But when you have college professors who tell you anything is possible, it rubs off on you.”

10 years of 10 within 10 - 2023 update

Current city and state: Birmingham, MI

Current job title and employer:  

Executive Director, Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance; Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government, Central Michigan University