News Release: Bill Stone Joins Michigan Catholic Conference as Vice President of Public Policy

(Lansing, Mich.)—Michigan Catholic Conference announced that Bill Stone has joined the organization as Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy, beginning today February 23. Stone will be responsible for guiding the organization’s advocacy work and will serve as the primary liaison between state government and the Catholic church in Michigan.

“As a trusted legal advisor and advocate across various sectors of government and the private sector, Bill’s experience will support the Catholic Conference’s mission to advocate for sound public policy that respects human life and dignity for all persons in the state,” said MCC president and CEO Paul A. Long. “Through engagement with elected officials and various actors in and around state government, MCC participates with members of both parties on a range of issues from support for nonpublic schools and the just treatment of immigrants, to the protection of human life and dignity of all, particularly the poor and vulnerable. Bill is an excellent candidate to manage these responsibilities. We are excited to both welcome and support him through this next phase of his life and professional career.”

Prior to joining MCC, Stone served as senior attorney in the Government Relations, Public Policy and Regulatory Practice Group for the Plunkett Cooney law firm. He has also served the City of Detroit Mayor’s Office as general counsel and, previously, as deputy general counsel for United Wholesale Mortgage. Bill also has experience as general counsel for the Michigan Senate and as the legal and policy director in the Michigan House of Representatives.

Before joining state government, Bill was an associate for Troy-based Bush Seyferth & Paige as well as the Mayer Brown law firm in Chicago. He holds an undergraduate degree in international relations from the James Madison College at Michigan State University and a juris doctor degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he graduated cum laude. Bill and his family live in the Brighton area and are parishioners of Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic Church.

Michigan Catholic Conference is the official public policy voice of the Catholic church in this state. The organization is guided by a 14-member Board of Directors that includes the seven diocesan Catholic bishops in Michigan, five lay persons, a religious sister and a diocesan priest. The archbishop of Detroit serves as chairman of the Board.

At the outset of each legislative session MCC releases A Blueprint for the Common Good, a policy platform rooted in the principles of Catholic social teaching that addresses a range of legislative issues of concern and interest to the Catholic community in Michigan.

Michigan Catholic Conference is the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in this state.

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