John Zang is a Michigan native and graduate of Michigan State University. Starting at Eastern Michigan University he then transferred to Michigan State University where he received his Bachelors's degree. While attending graduate school in Economics at Eastern he left to take a job with a major auto supplier. That auto industry start lead to more than 30 years in various management roles in the automotive industry, including Operations Manager, Plant Manager, and Division Manager. He worked at many plants in Michigan and around the country. Those management positions left a lasting impact on his life and career goals. Having thousands of people depending on him to keep them working with good jobs and benefits while meeting the tough business demands of the auto industry was a job John exceeded at. John also co-owned and was CEO for a manufacturing business employing over a hundred people. He remembers cutting his pay so that employees would not have to take a pay cut when the economy went bad. 

He also knows the impact of the corona pandemic and why it is important to get Michigan’s economy back but brought back safely. He is ready to work in the legislature to get better jobs than we had before the Pandemic.   ​When the majority of the automotive supply industry moved offshore, to foreign countries, John put his management skills to work in public service. He managed a wastewater treatment consortium serving 13 townships and municipalities in 3 counties. From there, John went on to become the Director of Public Works for the City of Mt. Pleasant, heading the Streets Department, the Water Department, the Waste Water Department, the Airport and City Engineering.  John knows what Michigan needs when it comes to infrastructure, and he is ready to get to work in the Legislature finding innovative ways to improve Michigan’s infrastructure.  ​​John has said, “I want to use my leadership skills to rebuild what has been lost from this pandemic and make Michigan families safer and more prosperous than they were before the pandemic started.” 

John has been happily married to his wife of 38 years, his wife Mary Anne has worked as a legal secretary and in Probate Court.  John and Mary Anne, have a son John and daughter-in-law Heather and an amazing granddaughter Savannah.  John is extremely invested in his family. He has always been dedicated to improving education, but now, more than ever wants to work to improve Michigan’s schools and will make education funding a priority in the Legislature.  ​

John has always been involved in the community wherever he lived. In the past, he served on many boards including; School Board, Board of Light and Power (large municipally owned electric power plant),  Multi-jurisdictional water authority, and Isabella County Materials Recovery Facility. Other past affiliations include: the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Duffield Federal Credit Union Board of Directors, Lexington TWP Board of Review, FFA, Isabella County Emergency Operations Committee, and the United States Selective Service Board.  

John has a record of serving his community. He has worked with local governments, CMU, and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe to make life better for residents in our area. He has been a leader in working to enhance collaboration between local governments and organizations.  John is a strong believer that those who live and work in their communities know what’s best for their own towns and districts. As a state representative, John would continue his support of local government and continue the fight to bring transparency to all levels of government.