Governor Rick Snyder appointed Steven H. Hilfinger as director of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and Chief Regulatory Officer to serve in a leadership role in reinventing the State's regulatory and licensing environment.

Hilfinger's vision for LARA is to create a climate of economic growth with a simple, fair, efficient and transparent regulatory environment and a focused, efficient state government, the department's philosophy is "Customer Driven, Business Minded."

Concurrently with the reorganization, Gov. Snyder created the Office of Regulatory Reinvention within LARA, and named Hilfinger as its director and chief regulatory officer for the state of Michigan. The ORR works with other state departments and the Legislature to reinvent a licensing and regulatory environment that promotes business growth and job creation, by becoming more streamlined and eliminating unnecessary or burdensome regulations. At the same time, Hilfinger plans on focusing on regulations that protect the health and safety of Michigan's citizens.

Prior to his appointment to state government by Gov. Snyder in February, 2011, Hilfinger was the managing partner of the Detroit office of Foley & Lardner LLP, a national law firm with more than 900 attorneys in the U.S. and internationally. Hilfinger co-founded the office in 2000 and served as its managing partner from September 2002 to June 2006 and from June 2009 until his appointment.

Hilfinger earned a B.B.A. degree, concentrating in accounting, with high distinction from the University of Michigan in 1984 and graduated magna cum laude with a J.D. degree from Northwestern University in 1987.