Republican Chair

Bill McLaughlin

Bill McLaughlin was a top Republican Party deputy during Governor George Romney’s administration before becoming party chairman (1969-79). Governor Milliken appointed McLaughlin (1979-81) Director of the Michigan Department of Commerce.

He was the longest-serving president of the Metropolitan Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau (1981-1995) and was instrumental as part of the winning bid team and host committee for Super Bowl XVI in 1982 at the Pontiac Silverdome. He also helped host the 1980 Republican National Convention and the 1994 World Cup soccer games.

McLaughlin was 1997-2001 president of the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame and 2001-06

Interviewed by Bill Ballenger
166 minutes, March 17, 2009