Stephen Pontoni
MSAE role: Chair Elect
1st Year of Involvement in MSAE: 2013
Professional role: Executive Director
Employer: Michigan Association for Justice
Years in Current Position: 10
In-office, hybrid or remote: Hybrid
MSAE: Tell us about your family, pets, and where you call home.
SP: My wife Katie, my two boys Jack and Daniel, our dog Ryker, and cat Zeno all live in the great town of Dexter.
SP: Relax? Who can afford that these days? When I can take it easy, I love going out on my boat, golfing, having a cigar and a glass of bourbon with friends, or chilling on my back porch with my wife and kids.
SP: My organization has always attended the Policy conference, but my real involvement came after I became Executive Director and participated in a CEO circle put on by MSAE. I got to meet some other new CEOs and I am still benefiting from those relationships today.
SP: The only association I’ve ever worked with is the Michigan Association for Justice. However, during my time there, I have worked closely with the National Association of Trial Lawyer Executives, I have been president of the Michigan Association of Bar Executives, and joined the Capitol Club.
SP: For better or worse, I have always been a joiner. I saw the potential value in MSAE and wanted to part of that.
SP: I need to learn to say no to things. I am on the National Association of Trial Law Executives board and the immediate past president of the Michigan Association of Bar Executives. I am fortunate to be the governor’s appointee to the Huron Clinton Metroparks and am part of several advocacy and social organizations. Additionally, I am the volunteer executive director of the Mid-American Global Education Council.
SP: There are two things I find super valuable about MSAE. The first is that running an association can be a lonely job. Managing an association board and staff is unique, and having other people working through the same things as you is so important. Additionally, it is easy to live in a bubble of people who think like you, especially now. MSAE has allowed me to build relationships with people and associations I normally wouldn’t have. Those relationships have been vital to my success as Executive Director.