From the Erb Institute to the Michigan House of Representatives

Joe Tate’s career path doesn’t follow a straight line, and that’s exactly what makes it so edifying. Before he ever stepped onto the floor of the Michigan House of Representatives, Joe had already served in two institutions defined by discipline and teamwork: the National Football League (NFL) and the U.S. Marine Corps. Today, as a fourth-term state representative for Michigan’s 9th House District, covering downtown Detroit, Belle Isle, and the Eastside, he draws on those experiences daily. But it was his time at the University of Michigan’s Erb Institute that helped him translate a lifelong commitment to service into a career in public policy.

While serving in the Marines, Joe deployed twice to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. After his honorable discharge, he began thinking about how he wanted to continue serving—this time outside of uniform. Business school felt like the next step, and he enrolled at Michigan Ross to pursue his MBA. It was there that classmates and faculty introduced him to the Erb Institute.

Erb, Joe recalls, felt like “this whole other world, essentially, of learning.” What drew him in wasn’t just sustainability as a concept, but the way Erb encouraged students to wrestle with complex problems from multiple perspectives. “That’s what attracted me to apply,” he says.

At the Erb Institute, Joe found himself in classrooms that challenged not only what he thought, but also how he thought. He points in particular to a course taught by Professor Steven Yaffee. 

“Before I jumped into politics and policymaking, I think that class helped to set a foundation—and then challenge some of my assumptions,” Joe says. The experience of engaging deeply with people who saw the world differently stayed with him long after graduation.That habit of curiosity has become central to Joe’s work in government. While his path to state office may be uncommon among Erb alumni, he sees clear parallels between his Erb experience and the day-to-day realities of policymaking. “It may sound like a cliché,” he says, “but being curious about things—that goes a long way in the work that I do.” In the Michigan legislature, he regularly meets with stakeholders from across industries and communities, each advocating for a different outcome. His job, as he sees it, is to listen carefully, weigh competing perspectives, and help craft policy that addresses real concerns.

The idea of running for office first emerged not in a campaign office, but in conversation with a classmate while Joe was still at Erb. He decided to run while finishing the program. He lost his first race but discovered that he loved the process of talking with people, hearing their stories, and engaging directly with the community. He ran again and won. Years later, Joe made history as Michigan’s first Black Speaker of the House.

When asked what he enjoys most about being a state representative, Joe laughs before answering. “It’s when the fourth graders come up to the Capitol, and I get to show them around.” On a deeper level, though, the work is about long-term impact. “Being able to shape policy that affects people’s lives—that’s the bigger picture,” he says. Often, the effects of legislation take years to fully materialize, but seeing those outcomes makes the process worthwhile.

Joe has seen that impact firsthand through his work on gun violence prevention, including legislation supporting universal background checks and safe firearm storage. He’s also proud of Michigan’s climate package, passed in recent years, which expanded renewable energy within the state’s energy portfolio. “I think we’ll start to see those benefits as we continue down the road,” he says.

Looking ahead, Joe hopes more Erb students and alumni will consider government as a viable—and necessary—career path. “I get to help shape a state budget that’s more than $80 billion,” he says. “The background you get at Erb is incredibly valuable. The skills are transferable, and they’re needed in government work.”

For Joe Tate, Erb wasn’t just an academic experience—it was a bridge between service and leadership, curiosity and action. And that bridge continues to shape how he serves Michigan today.

This post is part of Erb’s 30th Anniversary series, celebrating three decades of impact at the intersection of business and sustainability.