Robert A. Ficano
| Robert A. Ficano | |
|---|---|
| Wayne County Executive | |
|
In office January 1, 2003 – January 1, 2015 |
|
| Preceded by | Edward H. McNamara |
| Succeeded by | Warren Evans |
| Wayne County Sheriff | |
|
In office 1983 – January 1, 2003 |
|
| Preceded by | William Lucas (Michigan) |
| Succeeded by | Warren Evans |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
July 19, 1952 Detroit, Michigan |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Dearborn Heights, Michigan |
| Alma mater |
Michigan State University University of Detroit Mercy |
| Profession | Politician |
Robert Anthony "Bob" Ficano (born July 19, 1952) is an American politician, and the former County Executive and former Sheriff of Wayne County, Michigan.
Ficano was born in Detroit, Michigan. He received his BA in 1974 from Michigan State University, and his JD in 1977 from University of Detroit. He worked as an attorney, and was assistant city attorney for the city of Westland, Michigan. He was nominated as the Democratic candidate for Michigan House of Representatives from the 36th District in 1980.
After years as an attorney in private practice in Westland, Michigan, Ficano was appointed to deputy County Clerk under then County Clerk James Kileen. When William Lucas left the office of Wayne County Sheriff in 1983 to run for Wayne County Executive, Ficano was appointed Wayne County Sheriff in 1983, and elected in 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, and 2000. In the history of electoral politics in Wayne County, no one has ever been elected sheriff without being appointed to the job prior to an election. In 2002, Ficano was elected county executive, and took office in 2003.
As county executive, he generated controversy in 2004 with his veto of a proposed ordinance to ban smoking in most workplaces.
He is of Italian descent and lives in Livonia. Ficano has long held ties to the organized labor and the UAW in particular. His father was a custodian (and union member) in Livonia Public schools and his grandfather worked in the Ford Rouge factory.
Wayne County, which includes the city of Detroit and its western and southern suburbs, is one of the nation's largest population counties, with 1.8 million people.
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