Retired Founder,
McAlvey Merchant
Founding Partner Jeff McAlvey began in 1984 a tenure lasting nearly 14 years with Governor John Engler, starting when Engler was Senate Majority Leader. McAlvey oversaw the state appropriations process for the Senate Majority Leader, and served as Engler’s point-person on restoring Michigan’s Capitol building. When Engler was elected Governor in 1991, Jeff assumed the role of the Governor’s Director of Legislative Relations. He coordinated all of the activities of the Engler Administration with the Michigan Legislature. Jeff served in this capacity until May of 1997, when he left the Governor’s staff to launch McAlvey & Associates.
While leading then McAlvey & Associates and now McAlvey, Merchant & Associates, Jeff represented a broad range of clients, large and small, including: Michigan’s property/casualty insurance industry, higher education institutions, national corporations, a dynamic Michigan city, developers, road builders, a large public hospital, charitable organizations, insurance companies, the largest telecommunications firm in Michigan, several coalitions and many more.
Jeff worked in Lansing for over 45 years. In the 26 years he ran McAlvey Merchant, it grew into one of Michigan’s most successful and respected lobbying firms. He was a master strategist and relationship builder who honed his skills in some of Lansing’s largest legislative battles — almost always on the winning side!
Jeff retired in 2023. He and his wife Carole have four grown children, eleven grandchildren, and reside in Lansing.