Joe Schwarz - Post-congressional Life

Post-congressional Life

Schwarz has maintained a busy schedule since leaving office in January 2007. On the state level, Schwarz was appointed to Gov. Jennifer Granholm's Emergency Financial Advisory Panel, led by former Michigan governors Milliken (R) and Blanchard (D). On the national level, Schwarz was appointed by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to serve on the independent panel to investigate the conditions at Walter Reed Army Hospital in suburban Washington, DC. Schwarz was reappointed to the Altarum Institute Board of Trustees, a position he held prior to his congressional service, in February 2007. Altarum Institute is a nonprofit health policy research institute based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He also accepted a teaching position at the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, which began in fall 2007. Schwarz is also active in the UM Alumni Association, and is often spotted at UM sporting events.

In 2007, Schwarz was appointed to John McCain's presidential finance committee for the state of Michigan. He had been co-chairman of McCain's 2000 presidential campaign; the two have been friends for many years.

Schwarz had been rumored to be considering a run for his old congressional seat against Walberg in 2008, either as an independent or a Democrat. Ultimately, he endorsed Walberg's successful Democratic challenger, State Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer.

As of 2012, Schwarz is a member of the Michigan State Medical Society's Board of Directors from District 3.