By: Jasmine West

David Knezek has officially stepped down from the Wayne County Commission, but his departure from public office comes as he takes on another major leadership role in the community.

Knezek’s resignation as District 8 commissioner took effect July 17, clearing the way for him to serve as the seventh president of Henry Ford College in Dearborn. He began leading the college July 1 after its Board of Trustees selected him earlier this year.

The Wayne County Commission unanimously accepted Knezek’s resignation during its July 14 meeting. The commission is expected to choose a replacement Aug. 6 to serve the remainder of his term.

Knezek represented District 8 for more than six years, serving residents in western Wayne County while advocating for veterans, older adults and investments in the communities he represented.

Wayne County Commission Chair Alisha Bell said Knezek’s work benefited residents beyond the boundaries of his district.

“On behalf of myself and all of my Commission colleagues, I would like to thank and commend Commissioner Knezek for his more than six years of dedicated service on the Wayne County Commission,” Bell said. “His leadership on behalf of all constituents, especially seniors and veterans, and his strong efforts to secure significant investments for western Wayne County have been instrumental in helping not only his district, but all of Wayne County.”

Bell said she expects Knezek’s government and administrative experience to carry into his leadership at Henry Ford College.

“We wish him well on his next chapter as the new president of Henry Ford College,” Bell said. “I am confident that he will continue to provide the leadership and expertise to lead and grow this very important educational institution.”

The commission has received letters of interest from several candidates seeking to fill the District 8 vacancy. Under the Wayne County Charter, commissioners are responsible for selecting a replacement rather than holding a special election.

The person appointed Aug. 6 will serve the remainder of Knezek’s commission term.

At Henry Ford College, Knezek now oversees one of the region’s major community colleges and a campus that serves students pursuing associate degrees, workforce credentials, university transfers and career training.

The college’s Board of Trustees announced his appointment during an April 10 public meeting. Knezek succeeds Dr. Lori Gonko, who had been serving as interim president.

As president, Knezek is responsible for the college’s academic direction, budget, personnel, student services, facilities, fundraising and government and community relations. He will also serve as Henry Ford College’s chief public representative and work with trustees to establish the institution’s long-term priorities.

The move places Knezek at the intersection of education, workforce development and regional economic policy as Michigan employers continue to seek workers with technical training and specialized credentials.

Knezek comes to the position after five years as chief operating officer for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the state’s largest agency. The department operates with a roughly $39 billion budget and more than 15,000 employees.

In that role, Knezek maintained oversight of several major operations, including budgeting and accounting, information technology, communications, legislative affairs, state psychiatric hospitals and programs serving residents experiencing economic instability.

His background also includes service in both chambers of the Michigan Legislature. Knezek served as a state representative and state senator, representing several Wayne County communities.

Education policy was part of his legislative work. He served on the education committee and on an appropriations subcommittee responsible for funding community colleges, experience that will now inform his work from the administrative side of higher education.

Following his legislative service, Knezek became director of legislative affairs for the Michigan Department of Attorney General before being elected to the Wayne County Commission.

Knezek began his career in the United States Marine Corps, serving for six years and completing two overseas deployments. He was honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant and received more than 25 medals and awards.

A lifelong Dearborn Heights resident, Knezek has remained involved with several civic and community organizations across Southeast Michigan. He serves as vice president of the Dearborn Heights Goodfellows, sits on the board of Special Olympics Michigan and is a member of the American Legion.

He is also a Silver Life Member of the Detroit Branch NAACP.

Knezek previously chaired the University of Michigan-Dearborn Alumni Society Board and served on the board of Starfish Family Services. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and an MBA from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.

His transition from the Wayne County Commission to Henry Ford College keeps him in public service, but shifts his focus toward students, college employees and the workforce needs of the region.

The Henry Ford College president is appointed by and reports to the college’s seven-member Board of Trustees. The trustees are elected by Dearborn residents and also serve as members of the Dearborn Public Schools Board of Education.