Former Lansing mayor David Hollister dies at 84

David Hollister, mayor of the city he always saw as world class, has died at 84.

Hollister was a social studies teacher at Durand and Lansing Eastern high schools before going into politics, serving as a state representative and as mayor from 1993-2003. He then served as a cabinet member in Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s administration, leading the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth.

Hollister had discussed his physical struggles with Parkinson’s, with symptoms beginning as early as 2000, but he remained sharp.

Even in recent years, Hollister continued to make occasional public appearances, including visiting the eponymous City Hall to push for changes to the city’s charter. His proposal of requiring the city to produce comprehensive data about the city’s progress was adopted, and each year when citizens get that report, it’ll be a another reminder of Hollister.

Inspired by a brief encounter with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr in 1965, Hollister spent the summers of 1966 and 1968 as a volunteer teacher in the Mississippi Freedom Schools in Holly Springs, MS.

As a teacher in Lansing, he took a students to see Robert F. Kennedy in Detroit.

While working as a full-time teacher, Hollister was elected to the Ingham County Board of Commissioners in 1968 and served until 1974 when he was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, serving for nearly two decades until leaving to serve as mayor.

David Hollister and City Council Member Clara Martinez, during a January swearing-in ceremony. The two teachers praised each other. Mike Ellis/City Pulse.

As mayor, Hollister faced one of the biggest challenges the city has ever had: the potential withdrawal of GM operations.

Hollister helped to assemble as Marvel-scale coalition that successfully reversed the potential loss of GM operations in Lansing, which could have devastated Lansing for a generation. Hollister led the “Lansing Works! Keep GM” campaign, bringing together businesses, unions, government officials and community leaders and they kept GM manufacturing operations, and thousands of workers in Lansing.

It was a rare instance of a leader rallying a city and getting a major corporation to reverse such a decision.

The campaign, and its success, was the focus of the book and movie, “Second Shift: The Inside Story of the Keep GM Movement.”

Hollister also brought in the minor league Lansing Lugnuts and Jackson Stadium, along with helped to define the Stadium District.

Hollister was elected mayor three times, serving from 1993 to 2003, when he stepped down to accept a cabinet position in Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s administration.

He later served as president and CEO of the Prima Civitas Foundation, working closely with MSU President Lou Anna Simon.

Andy Schor, Mayor, City of Lansing: “David Hollister is Lansing. He single-handedly transformed this city into a modern Capital City and made Lansing what it is today. From bringing baseball to ensuring financial stability to all of the things that he did as Mayor, as well as his time prior in the State House and after with the state and at MSU, David Hollister has shaped this city and this region and will forever be associated with Lansing. He has taught me so much and my heart aches for our loss. His legacy is complete, and he will be so missed by all.”

Lou Anna K. Simon, Past President, Michigan State University: “David was a beacon for the entire region. As a creative and bold leader David advocated for structures that would harness the power of business and governmental leaders. The code name was Prima Civitas, a big regional vision with principles that have guided regional support for economic development projects including FRIB and enduring collaborations like LEAP. When the vision paper was shared with the community, David would smile as folks struggled to find the hidden meaning in the title. Yet it was simply a reflection of David—aspire for the best for the region by believing
we are better when acting together.”

Randy Thayer, Retired, General Motors Lansing Regional Plant Manager: “The next time you are driving by one of the Lansing GM Plants or even one of the GM suppliers, there is no other single person that deserves your thanks more than David C. Hollister. It was 1996 when Dave got the call from GM informing him that there were no plans to continue operations after the current models at LCA ended. Not the call that any newly elected mayor wants to receive. Dave immediately went to work to mobilize the city by forming the “Keep GM in Lansing” committee. The goal was clear, to be the first city to ever turnaround a GM closure decision. We all enjoy the results of this work today. Not one, but two modern assembly plants (LGR and LDT). Not one, but two modern stamping plants at both assembly plant sites. And recently, the new battery plant. Thank you David for doing the impossible!”

Bob Trezise, President & CEO of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership: “Mayor Hollister single handedly awakened our city and region from a long slumber of inactivity and decline. From saving GM to keeping Jackson National Life’s national headquarters from moving out of state to his audacious vision for a MLB minor league stadium and team built in the heart of downtown, he showed us all, for generations, what we could and should be- a world class community. That’s a legacy that many of us to this day are still actively building upon in so many important ways for all in our community. I and we stand on his broad shoulders. To me, and I knew him well, Dave is the legend of legends and saved our city and region.”

Virg Bernero, Mayor of the City of Lansing from 2006 – 2017: “I would say that Dave Hollister was the essential ingredient that saved Lansing from slipping into obscurity and perhaps bankruptcy. Hollister was a verb rather than a noun. He was Lansing’s version of FDR during our greatest difficulties. His faith and confidence in the people of Lansing never wavered, and it bolstered the entire region’s belief in ourselves. I don’t know if we became a “world class city,” but thanks to Dave Hollister, Lansing never stopped striving for it. He was a model, a Mayor, and a jewel of a man. He will be sorely missed.”

David Wiener, Executive Assistant to the Mayor under Hollister: “David Hollister was a unique leader who became Mayor at a time when the City needed someone of his vision and skills. With a background of 6 years as a Ingham County Commissioner and 20 years as a State Legislator, he brought into the Mayor’s office a spirit of openness, of optimism, of hard work, of creative collaboration with many partners to solve problems and a love of the City in all its diversity and potential. It is appropriate that the City Hall is named in his honor, for he represents the highest
standard for city government.”

Tim Daman, President & CEO, Lansing Region Chamber of Commerce: “Mayor David Hollister will always be remembered for his efforts to keep GM in Lansing, but his leadership reached farther than any campaign. David had the ability to bring people together, build relationships, and keep everyone focused on the growth and future of our capital city and region. Our community continues to benefit today from the foundation he built. Lansing has lost an outstanding leader but an even better person. In his honor, let’s remember Lansing, we’re making it happen.”

Robert Swanson, Finance Director for the City of Lansing under Hollister: “Dave Hollister came into office with a clear vision for Lansing’s future. From bringing baseball downtown, to retaining General Motors and convincing them to build two state of the art assembly plants, to the creation of the District Library, to neighborhood improvements and new housing projects, his focus on making Lansing a world class city never wavered. We were fortunate to have his leadership as Mayor when we did.”

Debbie Stabenow, Retired United States Senator: “I first met Dave Hollister in 1972 when he was recruiting people to run for the Ingham County Board of Commissioners. Even then, his dedication to his community and his commitment to making people’s lives better were unmistakable. Those values never wavered. Dave made a profound difference in the lives of countless people and in the quality of life in Lansing and across our beautiful state. Dave was the kind of leader we need more of today and I’m grateful to have been his colleague and friend. My love and prayers go out to his family.”

Joan Bauer, Retired Lansing City Council and Michigan State Representative: “I decided to start my political career and run for Lansing City Council in 1995 because of an energetic, optimistic, visionary new mayor… David Hollister…who encouraged and supported me. His contributions to our region are legendary, from changing the skyline with projects like Lugnuts Stadium to being the leading force in the city’s effort to keep General Motors. Dave Hollister not only had vision, he made those visions become reality. He loved and served Lansing for most of his adult life, even writing the preamble to the city’s revised Charter just two years ago. Dave Hollister leaves a lasting legacy and we are so grateful to him.”

Jennifer Granholm, Retired Governor, State of Michigan: “David Hollister was a role model to me. He was always seeking out innovative ways to improve the lives of everyday people—combining brilliant strategy with relentless execution. And his heart was as big as a barn. I was honored to work with him and to learn from him. My deepest sympathies to his beloved family.”

“I am heartbroken for Christine, their children, and the entire Hollister family. His loss is immeasurable and will be felt by all those who knew him. Dave Hollister was my friend and a mentor to me, and he taught me so much about being a leader. He leaves an incredible legacy of service to this city that he loved so much, and he will truly be missed by all.”

Lansing’s current City Hall is formally known as the David C. Hollister City Hall and when the city’s new building opens, expected in November, it too will carry Hollister’s name.