Mayor and City Council

Theresa Rich, PhD, was elected Mayor of the City of Farmington Hills in 2023 and is a prior city council member. Dr. Rich is a probate attorney, small business owner, protector of senior citizens, defender of children, and advocate for families who also teaches part-time at Wayne State University. Following a three-decade automotive corporate career where she did everything from tax law to strategy to leading seminars in a dozen countries, Dr. Rich’s attention has been primarily focused on public service. She served for 14 years on the Oakland Schools Board of Education and has been active with dozens of boards and commissions, from neighborhood to national levels. Mayor Rich and her husband Brian have lived in Farmington Hills for over 30 years and own FH-based business, RichLaw, PLLC. They are proud to have raised their two children, former Farmington Public Schools trustee Zachary Rich and Alyson Rich, M.D., in our city. Mayor Rich’s focus is to make our city even more of a destination by making FH feel like home for all while promoting joy, optimism, and resilience.

Bill Dwyer was elected to City Council in 2023. He is serving as the 2025 mayor pro tem. He served as Farmington Hills Police Chief from 2004-2008. He is the Council liaison to the Commission on Children, Youth & Families and the Pension Board. His term expires in 2027.

Jon Aldred was elected to City Council in 2023. He is the Council liaison to the Emergency Preparedness Commission and the Parks & Recreation Commission. He served on the Innovation, Energy, and Environmental Sustainability Committee from 2022-2023 and has worked to recently to re-establish this commission. Jon and his wife Heather raised their two children in Farmington Hills and have been residents for over 25 years. His term expires in 2027.

Jackie Boleware was elected to City Council in 2019 and 2023. She served as Mayor Pro Tem in 2021. She is the Council liaison to the Arts Commission, Committee to Increase Voter Participation, and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. She is the co-founder of Farmington Area Concerned Citizens, and a member of the Michigan Municipal League and the Farmington Area Juneteenth Celebration. Her term expires in 2027.

Michael Bridges was elected to City Council in 2008 in a special election and re-elected in 2009, 2013, 2017, and 2021. He served as Mayor Pro Tem in 2011, 2019 and 2024. He has served in leadership roles with several community and civic organizations; Heritage Hills Homeowners Association, Farmington YMCA, Farmington Public Schools PTA Council, the Zoning Board of Appeals, Michigan Municipal League, and the National League of Cities. He currently serves as the Council liaison to the Farmington Area Commission on Aging. Michael is married to Deborah, and they have two sons, Michael and Chauncey.

Randy Bruce was reelected to City Council in 2021 and served as Mayor Pro Tem for 2023. He previously served from 2003 to 2019 with three terms as Mayor Pro Tem. He was an eight-year member of the Farmington Hills Zoning Board of Appeals, including two years as chair. He is past president of the Saratoga Farms and Forestbrook Hills/Pebblebrook Estates Homeowners Associations and is currently president of the Colony Park West Homeowners Association. He is a member and former Chair of the Human Development Policy and Advocacy Committee of the National League of Cities.  He is a 39-year resident of Farmington Hills, where he lives with his wife Jill and their three rescue dogs.  

Valerie Knol was elected to City Council in 2013, 2017, and 2021. She served as Mayor Pro Tem in 2016 and 2020. She is the Council liaison to the Historic District Commission, Historical Commission, and Beautification Commission. She served on the Farmington City Council for eight years and was Mayor of Farmington from 2007-09. She served on the Board of the Farmington Players Theatre, American Association of University Women, Farmington YMCA, Greater Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of the Oakland County Zoological Authority. Her term expires in 2025.