John M. Engler served three terms as Michigan governor and made improving educational opportunities for Michigan’s youth a priority. That priority is reflected in his work to fund schools through Proposal A, which was passed by Michigan voters in 1994. His administration has supported the creation of more than 180 charter schools to provide parents with more choice in how their children are educated and in who educates them. He also created the Michigan Merit Award, a $2,500 scholarship for post-secondary education awarded to high school students who pass the state’s proficiency tests in reading, writing, science and math. Governor Engler also made Michigan’s economic strength a priority by encouraging investments in a Life Sciences Corridor that uses and expands on the knowledge and research base of the state’s major universities and innovative industry leaders. His NextEnergy initiative’s goals are to position Michigan to be an international center of innovation in developing and commercializing alternative energy technologies. He is credited with transforming a $1.8 billion state budget deficit into a $1.3 billion surplus and restoring Michigan’s AAA credit rating. Since October 2004 Engler has been president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the largest industry trade group in America.