Jeff Breneman

Photo of Jeff Breneman
Jeffrey S. Breneman (Jeff)
Vice President for Government Relations
Office: 
(269) 387-2071
Mobile: 
(269) 716-0400
Location: 
3010 Seibert Administration Building, Mail Stop 5247
Mailing address: 
1903 W Michigan Ave
3020 Seibert Admin Building
Education: 
  • B.A., Political Science, Western Michigan University, 1991
Bio: 

Returning to Western Michigan University after 15 years in the private sector, Jeff's competencies include in-depth knowledge of federal and state governments, large global businesses, higher education institutions, municipalities and community development activities. He has held strategic leadership roles in trade association management, fundraising for charitable and political causes and the execution of public relations and political campaigns.

Jeff’s results-focused leadership created the first internal government relations function for Robert Bosch LLC, a multi-national corporation. In 2009, he conceptualized and originated a large non-profit trade association comprised of leading automotive suppliers which he led for over a decade. As Executive Director for the Alliance for Vehicle Efficiency, he fulfilled the fiscal and management responsibilities, served as spokesperson in public activities and managed Board meetings.

Jeff has worked extensively on policy issues related to energy and environment, advanced automotive technologies, transportation infrastructure funding and financing, food safety, higher education funding and policy for universities and community colleges, public private research partnerships and grants for local municipalities.

Prior his multi-client work, his experience included eight years of service with Congressman Fred Upton before spending five years at WMU under the presidency of Dr. Elson S. Floyd.

As a resident of the Kalamazoo area for more than 30 years, Jeff devotes significant time and energy to the improvement of the region by serving on various community and charitable boards in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He has served on the Kalamazoo County Transit Authority Board for a decade and is also a member of the Kalamazoo Downtown Development Authority and Kalamazoo Downtown Economic Growth Authority.