Fred Upton
Fred Upton
TERM AS TRUSTEE
June 1, 2026 - Present
BIOGRAPHY
Former US Congressman Fred Upton was proud to represent SW Michigan GOP for 36 years in the US House. His philosophy was detailed when he gave the 2025 commencement speech at the University of Michigan quoting Frederick Douglass “I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong.”
Upton retired in 2023 from the House after winning 25 contested elections as the top GOP vote getter in each election. Upton served on the Small Business, Joint Economic, Transportation, Education and Workforce, and chaired the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee during his tenure.
Bipartisan success was a staple during Fred’s tenure as Chairman. Under his leadership, the Committee passed 354 legislative measures through the House and saw 202 signed into law by President Obama. His legacy issue was the enactment of the 21st Cures bipartisan legislation expediting the approvals of drugs and devices and it was often hailed as the most important legislative issue adopted by the 114th Congress. This bipartisan effort brought researchers, industry, and patients together for the discovery, development, and delivery of life-saving cures. Four years later it proved instrumental in the deployment of the FDA approved COVID vaccines months earlier than it would have been otherwise likely saving the lives of hundreds of thousands of lives.
Serving under 7 US presidents and 8 House Speakers, Upton worked on a myriad of issues impacting the country casting more than 22,000 recorded votes—more than any other House Member during that time. In his later years Upton served as a co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solver’s Caucus credited with passing major bipartisan issues through the House including immigration reform, infrastructure, and CHIPs legislation.
His driving mission was jobs and the economy. Whether it was working on a North American energy independent plan, pursuing renewable resources, and yes dealing with climate change. Changing the tax laws that discriminated against US companies, being the GOP lead with John Dingell on an auto-rescue plan, passing pipeline safety, and protecting the Great Lakes were all priorities.
Prior to his election in Congress, Upton worked for President Ronald Reagan in the Office of Management and Budget as the director of Legislative Affairs.
After retiring from the House, Upton serves on a number of boards including the Argonne National Labs, Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, National Archives Foundation, Gerald R Ford Presidential Foundation, and the Former Members of Congress.
Born on April 23, 1953, Upton holds a BA degree in Journalism from the University of Michigan. He and his wife, Amey, have 2 married children with 5 grandchildren.