Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Shri Thanedar

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Shri Thanedar made an impact.

Shri Thanedar is an American businessman and politician currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Michigan's 13th congressional district since 2023. A Democrat, he previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives (2021-2023). Thanedar also ran for Governor of Michigan in the 2018 Democratic primary. His background encompasses both entrepreneurial ventures and political service.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1984: Researcher at Petrolite Corp

In 1984, Shri Thanedar began working as a researcher at Petrolite Corp after completing post-doctoral work at the University of Michigan.

1984: Started at Petrolite in St. Louis

In 1984, Shri Thanedar started working at Petrolite in St. Louis.

1990: Job at Chemir/Polytech Laboratories

In 1990, Shri Thanedar began working nights and weekends at Chemir/Polytech Laboratories for $15/hour to learn the business.

1991: Purchase of Chemir

In 1991, Shri Thanedar took out a loan to buy Chemir for $75,000. The business had sales of $150,000 in its first year with three employees.

2003: Acquisition of Azopharma

In 2003, Azopharma was acquired and experienced rapid growth, increasing from $1 million in revenue.

2004: Publication of ही 'श्री' ची इच्छा!

In 2004, Thanedar published his autobiography in Marathi, titled ही 'श्री' ची इच्छा! (Transliteration: Hī Śrī Cī Icchā; English: This is Shri's Wish).

2005: Chemir's Revenue Growth

By 2005, Chemir's revenues had grown to $16 million, employing 160 people, including 40 PhD chemists.

2007: Offer to sell Azopharma

In 2007, Shri Thanedar was offered $132 million to sell Azopharma.

2008: Azopharma's Growth and Thanedar's Mansion

By 2008, Azopharma's revenue had grown to $55 million, and Thanedar's group of companies employed 500 people. Thanedar also built a mansion in Ladue, Missouri with an in-home theater.

2008: Publication of The Blue Suitcase

In 2008, Thanedar self-published his memoirs in English, titled The Blue Suitcase: Tragedy and Triumph in an Immigrant's Life.

The Blue Suitcase: Tragedy and Triumph in an Immigrant's Life

Check it on Amazon

2010: Launch of Avomeen Analytical Services

In 2010, Shri Thanedar briefly retired, then came out of retirement to launch Avomeen Analytical Services, a chemical testing laboratory, with his son Neil.

March 31, 2011: Sale of Chemir

On March 31, 2011, Chemir was sold for $23 million. The sale, combined with other assets, covered Thanedar's debt to Bank of America.

November 2016: Sale of majority stake in Avomeen

In November 2016, Thanedar sold the majority stake in Avomeen Holdings LLC.

2016: Sale of Avomeen Stake

In 2016, Thanedar sold a majority stake in Avomeen to High Street Capital and shared $1.5 million of the proceeds with his 50 employees. Avomeen was also named to the INC 5000 list of fastest-growing U.S. companies, ranking #1365.

April 5, 2017: Fundraising for Gubernatorial Campaign

On April 5, 2017, Shri Thanedar submitted paperwork to raise funds for a potential gubernatorial campaign in Michigan.

February 2018: Gubernatorial Campaign Super Bowl Ad

In February 2018, after running a statewide Super Bowl ad, Thanedar quickly became the best-known Democratic candidate for governor.

2018: Michigan Gubernatorial Election

In 2018, Shri Thanedar entered politics by running in the Michigan gubernatorial election as a Democrat.

2018: Candidacy for Governor of Michigan

In 2018, Shri Thanedar was a candidate in the Democratic primary for Governor of Michigan.

August 2019: Run for state representative

In August 2019, Thanedar submitted paperwork to run for state representative in Michigan's 3rd district.

August 4, 2020: Won Democratic Primary

On August 4, 2020, Thanedar won the Democratic primary for the state representative seat in Michigan's 3rd district.

November 3, 2020: Elected to State House

On November 3, 2020, Thanedar was elected to the state house.

January 1, 2021: Assumed Office

On January 1, 2021, Thanedar assumed office in the state house.

2021: Michigan House of Representatives

In 2021, Shri Thanedar became a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, serving until 2023.

2022: Election to Michigan's 13th Congressional District

In 2022, Thanedar gave up his state house seat and moved to the Palmer Woods neighborhood to run for Michigan's 13th congressional district. He won the open primary and defeated Republican nominee Martell Bivings in the general election.