Lucius Vassar serves as Corporate Counsel and Executive Vice President for Equitable Engagement. In his role, Lucius is responsible for the management and effective delivery of our legal services and advancing the principals of equitable and inclusive community development across our organization and with the communities we serve. Lucius is deeply engaged in Detroit, representing Cinnaire on the boards of several organizations, including leadership positions with the Detroit CDFI Coalition and Community Development Advocates of Detroit.
Lucius has more than 30 years of government relations and advocacy experience, spending several years in private legal practice as Director of Government Affairs for a large international law firm. A committed servant-leader, he has also held several leadership roles in local and state government. He served as Director of the Detroit Workforce Development Department, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Detroit and Director of Corporate and Civic Affairs. Lucius’ previous public-sector experience includes serving as Chief of Staff for the Michigan Senate Democratic Floor Leader, where he forged partnerships across the aisle. In the private sector, Lucius also worked as a multi-client lobbyist with one of Michigan’s largest firms.
Lucius earned his B.A. from Michigan State University and his Juris Doctor Cum Laude from Michigan State University College of Law. He resides with wife, Dr. Rema Vassar, and their children in one of the beautiful historic neighborhoods of the City of Detroit.