Chamber issue: Southeast Michigan’s Largest Employers are United in Support of Legislation to Allow the Public to Vote on Improving Regional Transit
A coalition of more than 50 major business leaders from Southeast Michigan have announced their support for pending state legislation to amend the Municipal Partnership Act (HB 5229). The legislation will make it possible for Wayne, Oakland, and Washtenaw counties to develop a coordinated regional transit plan and put that plan before their voters this November.
Since the legislation was introduced, the region’s leading employers have come forward to express their support and emphasize the importance of coordinated, high-quality regional transit to attract and retain talent, enable workers to reach job opportunities, enhance our economic competitiveness, and improve quality of life for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.
Business leaders in support of this legislation come from all sectors of the economy including automotive; energy; health care; banking and financial services; sports and entertainment; manufacturing; logistics and transportation; engineering and construction; real estate development; human resource management; law and professional services; and media and communications.
Leading employers and business associations that have publicly endorsed the legislation now include:
•Rich Studley, CEO, Michigan Chamber of Commerce
•Sandy Baruah, CEO, Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce
•Mary Barra, Chairman and CEO, General Motors
•Mark Reuss, President, General Motors
•Joe Hinrichs, President, Automotive, Ford Motor Company
•Roger Penske, Chairman, Penske Corporation
•Jerry Norcia, President and CEO, DTE Energy
•Patti Poppe, President and CEO, CMS and Consumers Energy
•Daniel J. Leopp, President and CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
•Carolyn Wilson, Executive Vice President and COO, Beaumont Health System
•Wright Lassiter, President and CEO, Henry Ford Health System
•Chris Ilitch, President and CEO, Ilitch Holdings (Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings)
•Arn Tellem, Vice Chairman, Palace Sports and Entertainment (Detroit Pistons)
•Rod Wood, President, Detroit Lions
•Patricia E.Mooradian, President and CEO, The Henry Ford
•Bill Emerson, Vice Chairman, Rock Holdings Inc. (Quicken Loans)
•Richard L. DeVore, Regional President, PNC Financial Services Group
•Rick Hampson, State President, Citizens Bank
•Allesandro DiNello, President and CEO, Flagstar Bank
•Thomas C. Shafer, President and CEO, TCF National Bank
•Suzanne Shank, President and CEO, Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC
•Chip McClure, Managing Partner, Michigan Capital Advisors
•Jim Nicholson, Chairman, PVS Chemicals
•Richard A. Manoogian, Chairman Emeritus, Masco Corporation
•David Dauch, Chairman and CEO, American Axle
•Ray Scott, CEO, President and Lear Corporation
Ron Hall, President and CEO, Bridgewater Interiors
•William L. Kozyra, Chairman and CEO, TI Automotive Ltd.•
William A. Sidock, President, The Sidock Group
•Chris Thomas, Co-Founder and President, Detroit Mobility Lab
•Hussein Berry, Vice President, Operations, Delta Air Lines Inc.
•Ryan Maibach, President and CEO, Barton Malow Construction
•Michael R. Haller, CEO, Walbridge
•Kouhaila Hammer, President and CEO, Ghafari Associates
•Eric Morris, Vice President and Michigan Office Leader, HNTB
•Matt Cullen, CEO, Bedrock Real Estate Services
•Stephen Polk, CEO, Highgate LLC
•Chris Brochert, Partner, Lormax Stern Development Co.
•Michael D. Schira, President, NSI Consulting and Development
•Cindy Pasky, President and CEO, Strategic Staffing Solutions
•Elizabeth Secor, President, North Star HR Corporation
•Lane Coleman, President and CEO, Strike Group LLC
•Barbara Allushuski, President and CEO, Blue Heron Talent, LLC
•Ronia Kruse, CEO, OpTech
•Lizabeth Ardisana, CEO, ASG Renaissance
•Carrie Leahy, Chair, Bodman PLC
•Justin Klimko, President and CEO, Butzel Long
•William T. Burgess, Chairman, Dickinson Wright PLLC
•David Foltyn, Chair and CEO, Honigman LLP
•Peter Kellett, Chairman and CEO, Dykema Gossett PLLC
•Michael P. McGee, CEO, Miller Canfield
•Matt Friedman, Co-Founder, Tanner-Friedman Strategic Communications
•Don Tanner, Co-Founder, Tanner-Friedman Strategic Communications
•Daniel F. Ponder, Chairman and CEO, Franco
•Dennis Archer Jr., CEO, Ignition Media Group
•Mark Dziurman, President, Dziurman Dzign, Inc.
•Florine Mark, President and CEO, Weight Watcher Group Inc.
•Errol Service, Managing Director, ECS Partnership (McDonald’s Franchise)
•Carolyn Cassin, President and CEO, Michigan Women Forward
•Gerry Anderson, Executive Chairman, DTE Energy
•Eric Larson, CEO, Downtown Detroit Partnership
McCullough’s tenure at MDA marked by record economic growth
The five years Glenn McCullough, Jr., served as executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) were marked by some of the best economic growth in the state’s history.
McCullough, who retired to the private sector at the end of January, credits the success to teamwork.
“When I arrived at MDA in 2015, we focused on optimizing the relationship of people, process and product,” McCullough said. “When those three work together, you will be successful. The talented people at MDA work with the governor, economic development officials, utility partners and workforce development partners, and that’s the process. It’s the culture of teamwork.”
That teamwork has led to record capital investment in Mississippi, a record number of people employed who are earning higher salaries, and an increase in the general fund.
Area Development Magazine recognizes states for attracting high-value projects that create a significant number of new jobs. States are awarded gold and silver shovels for their economic development achievements by the magazine covering site selection and facility planning.
“Mississippi won its first gold shovel in 2017, and Gov. Phil Bryant was proud to hoist a second gold shovel in 2019,” McCullough said. “The state received six silver shovels and two gold shovels during Gov. Bryant’s two terms. That is the result of hard work by Gov. Bryant and teamwork of people across the state. The process of teamwork allows us to achieve milestones like more people working, higher incomes, and record revenue for the state.”
Notable projects under his tenure include Continental Tire, Relativity Space and two Amazon fulfillment centers. The state has also achieved record growth in global export trade in recent years.
Chad E. Newell, president of the Area Development Partnership, Hattiesburg, said McCullough served Mississippi admirably over the past five years.
“Glenn is a proven leader and worked tirelessly to help advance our state,” Newell said. “He was always available and willing to discuss issues, projects, and opportunities impacting our region’s economy. I appreciate his faithful service and wish him the very best.”
McCullough worked diligently to implement Gov. Bryant’s agenda to attract jobs and investment to Mississippi, said Pablo Diaz, president and CEO, Vicksburg Warren County Chamber of Commerce, Warren County Port Commission and Warren County Economic Development Foundation.
“Under his motto of ‘People, Process, Product,’ Glenn and his team empowered local economic development leaders to prepare their communities and achieve success,” Diaz said. “Under his tenure, we witnessed the attraction of thousands of jobs in the state and the strongest show of support I have seen to adequately fund programs to help increase product availability in industrial parks across the state. Glenn worked to make MDA an open-door agency where local ideas were listened to, given proper attention, and if possible, fully supported. I appreciate Glenn’s service to our state and wish him the greatest success in his new enterprise in the private sector.”
Since 2015, MDA partnered with the Community Development Foundation (CDF) to win 52 projects.
“These 52 projects accounted for over $498 million in capital investment and created over 3,200 jobs and $106 million in new wages in Tupelo and Lee County,” said David P. Rumbarger, president and CEO of the CDF. “This partnership with Glenn and the MDA assisted companies, including Auto Parts Manufacturing Mississippi, a Toyota supplier. Also among those 52 projects are BancorpSouth Tech Center expansion, Cooper Tire and Rubber Company automation expansion, General Atomics, H.M. Richards, Southern Motion, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi-2020 Corolla expansion. Glenn’s leadership, guidance and his sacrifice of service the past four years for our state have been vital to Tupelo and Lee County.”
McCullough agrees with experts who say Mississippi’s economy has never been stronger.
“If you choose to assess Mississippi’s economy on employment in recent months, a record number of Mississippians are employed,” he said. “In the past two years, unemployment has been at a record low. There is record revenue for the state’s general fund. Mississippi’s rainy-day fund is full to the max. It’s the process that has changed for the better across the state. Economic developers, legislators, utilities, community colleges and research universities all are working together to make Mississippi’s economy strong.”
McCullough said the best part of the job was working with good people at MDA and other partners across the state.
“These people have talent and passion for our state, both in good times and challenging times,” he said. “Gov. Tate Reeves has been a leader in economic development throughout his public life for the past 16 years. Gov. Reeves, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and Speaker Philip Gunn will set new records. I want this economic momentum to grow. I believe our best years lie ahead.”
Former Gov. Bryant said McCullough has been an integral part of Mississippi’s economic success. “I wish him well in his future endeavors and appreciate his commitment to supporting job creation and growth in Mississippi,” Bryant said.
Mississippi has long been McCullough’s home. He grew up in Tupelo, graduated from Tupelo High School and then earned a degree in ag economics from Mississippi State University. He was a cheerleader while at MSU.
He intends to stay in the state continuing to help with economic development efforts from the private sector, working with people, organizations and companies to help them achieve their goals in Mississippi and beyond.
McCullough had a long tenure in politics and economic development prior to being named to lead the MDA in 2015. He was mayor of Tupelo when he was nominated to the board of directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) by former Pres. Bill Clinton in 1999. He was confirmed in that position by the U.S. Senate. Then he was selected by President George W. Bush as chairman of the TVA board of Directors in 2001, a position he held until November 2005.
During his tenure with TVA, the utility earned national recognition for its economic development efforts and launched its megasite program. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi, Mississippi’s second original equipment manufacturer in the automobile industry, is located on a TVA megasite.
McCullough also served as executive director of the Appalachian Regional Commission, a federal-state partnership that focuses on economic development in 13 states, from 1993 to 1997.
As MDA executive director, McCullough oversaw a staff of about 250 people. He and his wife, Laura, have two sons and four grandchildren. They have homes in Tupelo and Brandon. Read more: Mississippi Business Journal
Northern Virginia’s new marketing effort aims to lure and retain young tech talent
Counties and cities have long competed to lure companies to invest and create jobs in their communities. Now the prosperous ones are vying to attract and retain young talent, especially in high-tech fields — because that’s what businesses today seek above all else.
Among them is Northern Virginia, which is putting together an ambitious program to market itself to educated, tech-oriented millennials and Gen Zers.
Both the recently created Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance (NOVA EDA) and the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce have decided to make attracting talent their top priority.
Their projects are just getting started, but the mission is to spread the word that the area offers numerous lucrative job opportunities as well as cool places to live.
The goal is partly to lure a larger share of bright young minds to settle in the Washington area to work in industries of the future such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and biotechnology.
Another objective is persuading more of the young people leaving area universities and community colleges to remain in the region. The area loses more than half of such graduates each year to other parts of the country — partly because of high housing costs.
While other parts of the Washington region are working on similar initiatives, they are not as far along.
“No one is going at this as aggressively as Northern Virginia,” said Andy Levine, chairman of Development Counsellors International. The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority recently hired his New York-based consulting firm, which specializes in the marketing of locations, to help with the initiative.
“Many of our clients are somewhat hesitant, but Fairfax and Northern Virginia are diving into the pool headfirst,” Levine said.
The effort will take multiple forms. NOVA EDA, which includes the economic development agencies of 10 counties and municipalities, plans a campaign using social media such as Snapchat and Twitch. It will also sponsor esports competitions. And it will have a strong presence at events such as the South by Southwest festival, which attracts a young, tech-minded crowd.
“If you really want to get to millennials, you have to go to the right social media,” said Victor Hoskins, president of the Fairfax authority.
The target audience is “looking for a food culture, brew and distillery culture, bike paths, walking trails.” Hoskins said. “How can we package this so they can easily navigate it and relate it to a job opportunity, too?”
The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce plans to help companies develop internship programs, share best practices and encourage them to collaborate with educational institutions to yield a workforce with up-to-date skills.
“It’s really important to convince millennials that this is an exciting place to be, that it’s an innovative region and there are lots of opportunities here,” chamber president Julie Coons said.
In a related initiative, educational institutions including Virginia Tech, George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College are expanding tech education programs and collaborations with business.
Virginia Tech just named the head of its new $1 billion Innovation Campus in Alexandria, which will train hundreds of graduate students in technology development. George Mason plans to expand its Arlington campus and triple the number of master’s degrees awarded in tech fields.
Northern Virginia Community College has a cloud specialization program, which includes an apprenticeship project with Amazon Web Services. (Amazon founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post.) Its graduates are estimated to make up between 10 percent and 15 percent of AWS’s incoming workforce in the region. The school also has a program with Micron in which students make memory chips at a Micron facility while completing their degrees. Read more: Washington Post
#BestChamber practices: Batavia Chamber - Small Business Information Forum: Incentive Overview
Wednesday, March 18
8 to 9:30 a.m.
City of Batavia Council Chambers
100 N. Island St.
Batavia
A timely topic for any business, the Incentive Overview forum is the first in a series of four sessions planned for 2020. Joining the Batavia Chamber of Commerce in presenting these forums is the City of Batavia and Batavia MainStreet.
Confirmed speakers are:
· Mike Algrim, Fox Valley Entrepreneurship Center board member
· Harriet Parker, Small Business Development Center manager
· Jim Schlusemann, SCORE representative
· Christopher Aiston, City of Batavia economic development consultant
· Heidi Files, Energy City Brewing co-owner
Each representative will speak about the benefits and tools that their organization provides to help businesses succeed, and how to access these benefits. Chris Aiston will discuss TIF funds and their availability. Heidi Files will speak about her experiences with these organizations and their services, with how it impacted her business growth.
A question and answer session will follow the formal speaker presentations.
Coffee and water will be provided.
Mark your calendars for these future sessions, too:
· June 17: Zoning, signage, etc.
· September 16: Topics valuable for the manufacturing sector
· December 16: Liquor ordinances and licensing
There is no charge to attend, but for planning purposes, please register here.
#FamousChamber Of Commerce Quotations: (Be happy!)
Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond to it. --- Lou Holtz
Birmingham Bloomfield 2019-2020 Membership Directory and Community Resource Guide
The Birmingham-Bloomfield 2019-2020 Membership Directory and Community Resource Guide is available at the Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce today! Thank you to Joe Bauman and the Chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Michigan Chamber of Commerce Prepares For The Future By Announcing Executive Leadership Transition Plan
"For over 60 years, the Michigan Chamber has been a leading voice for business," said Steve Mitchell, Chairman of the Michigan Chamber Board of Directors. "Our tradition of excellence and leadership is based on a foundation of outstanding volunteer leaders and experienced Chamber professionals who work together every day to plan for the future and keep Michigan moving forward."
"The Executive Leadership Transition Plan announced today is part of the Michigan Chamber's ongoing strategic planning process," noted Mitchell. "This transition plan will position the Michigan Chamber for continued growth and effectiveness as the leading voice of business in Michigan."
"The plan will also provide for a seamless transition to the next generation of Chamber professionals who will lead the organization on a daily basis," added Mitchell.
The key elements of the Chamber's Executive Leadership Transition Plan are as follows:
Wendy Block is promoted to Vice President of Business Advocacy and Member Engagement. She will continue her leadership role with the Chamber's Business Advocacy Team with an added focus on increasing member engagement in a wider range of Chamber programs and events. Block joined the Chamber staff in 2004.
Bob Thomas will continue to serve as Chief Operating Officer with broader responsibilities for Chamber growth, membership development and retention, and providing Chamber members with new, innovative and high-value products and services. Thomas joined the Chamber staff in 1997.
Jim Holcomb is promoted to Senior Executive Vice President of the Chamber. Holcomb joined the Chamber staff in 2008 and most recently served as Executive Vice President & General Counsel. Jim will continue as the Chamber's General Counsel. Over the next two years Jim will be increasingly involved in leadership and management of the organization as he prepares to become the President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber on January 1, 2022.
Studley, who is now one of the longest serving state chamber executives in the country, will continue to lead the Michigan Chamber as President & CEO until his retirement on December 31, 2021. Studley joined the Chamber staff in 1981 as Manager of Taxation and Labor Relations. From 1997 through 2004, he served as the Chamber's chief lobbyist and Senior Vice President of Government Relations. Studley was promoted to Executive Vice President in 2005. On July 1, 2008, Studley became only the third President & CEO to lead the Michigan Chamber since 1959.
Chamber member: The Future of Work Muncie...update and next steps!
You are invited to attend an update on The Future of Work at Madjax Makerforce:
Wednesday, February 26
3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Madjax Makerforce, 515 E. Main St.
Purdue Polytechnic Classroom, 2nd floor
We invite you to attend an update meeting where you will hear from leaders of the organizations already connected to this initiative and be provided with opportunities for you and your organizations to connect.
Here are a few highlights that will be shared in more detail:
- Purdue Polytechnic and Ivy Tech Community College have partnered to fund a joint faculty position to support two new dual credit programs at Muncie Community Schools in Engineering Technology, Robotics & Automation.
- The Ball State University College of Architecture and Planning is creating student immersive learning opportunities in the Muncie community through the CAP Makes/Muncie Makes learning laboratory.
- The Madjax Design Lab has opened to beta members.
- The ECI VEX Robotics League held its first two local tournaments at Purdue Polytechnic Anderson and Madjax.
- The "Web of Support: Everybody Succeeds" initiative launched the first Ambassador Training with 50 Muncie Central students and 50 community adults. Learn more about the Web of Support model, how it can benefit your employees, and why the Muncie Action Plan is championing the initiative.
Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce Community Guide & Directory
The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce Community Guide & Directory is available at the Pekin Area Chamber today! Thanks to Bill Fleming, Renna Hadsall, Manda Brown and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Meet Algoma Area Chamber of Commerce's new director
Kay Smith found plenty to work on in her first four months on the job. Her first major task, though, was making sure her office didn't wash into Lake Michigan.
Smith became executive director of the Algoma Area Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 1, less than a month before high waters and severe winds from the east sent strong, land-eroding waves onto the shore, within feet of the building, which also houses the chamber's Algoma Visitor Center. The chamber offices are in the lower floor of the building, level with Crescent Beach, with the visitor center at street level, upstairs.
"The first priority I had was shoring up the shoreline," Smith said Tuesday, a day after the chamber officially announced she had joined the organization and two new directors were elected to its board. "There was terrible erosion; we lost several feet."
With that resolved for the time being, thanks to work by the Friends of Crescent Beach volunteer group and Algoma Public Works Department, Smith is focusing on the chamber's regular business of promoting the city and its businesses and operating the visitor center.
She comes to the position after most recently serving as executive director of the Volunteer Center of Door County. She also served on the board of Door County Habitat for Humanity for the past five years. Before that, Smith worked in Algoma as branch manager of what was then Citizens Bank and FirstMerit Bank, now Associated Bank.
Smith has spent much of her first four months on the job meeting people and getting acclimated, but she said her current big effort is gathering insights from chamber and community members and tourists for an assessment of the city's attractiveness to visitors by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. Read more: Green Bay Press-Gazette
Greater Owensboro Chamber presentation: 41st Annual Farm City Breakfast to be held Saturday
The 41st Annual Farm City Breakfast will be held this Saturday, February 29 at 7:30 a.m. in the Daviess County High School cafeteria.
Daviess County has a rich tradition of collaboration and cooperation for success in the agricultural sector. The Farm City Breakfast, presented by Daviess County Farm Bureau and the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, is an annual celebration of the Daviess County agriculture economy and its partnership with the city community.
The program for Saturday’s Farm City Breakfast will include the presentation of the Farm City Humanitarian Award which recognizes an outstanding leader who has led a life of service improving the well-being of citizens throughout Owensboro and Daviess County.
The featured speaker will be Kirby Green. Kirby, Field Sales Representative for DeKalb & Asgrow at Bayer Crop Science, was recently recognized as the national winner of the American Farm Bureau Federation's Young Farmers & Ranchers "Excellence in Agriculture Award." Kirby was raised on her family’s farm in Breckinridge County, Kentucky and lived, breathed and worked on the farm from a very early age. Active in FFA, Kirby previously served as State FFA President for Kentucky. In addition to her work at Bayer Crop Science, she hosts a podcast for young professionals called Sharpen. Kirby holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Agriculture from Murray State University. She and her husband Tyler have two daughters, Cora and Caroline.
The cost to attend is $7. Tickets can be purchased online at business.chamber.owensboro.com/events or by calling the Chamber at 270-926-1860 by noon on Friday, February 28. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door.
Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.
Town Square Publications, a division of the Daily Herald Media Group, is a national chamber custom publishing group that specializes in developing partnerships by producing high-quality print and digitally integrated publications along with other added value programs dedicated to creating relevancy for local chambers of commerce and other membership focused organizations interested in raising non-dues revenues.
Town Square Publications parent company, Paddock Publications, has over 100 years’ experience of print product development and dedicated customer service in communities throughout the Midwest. Our experience allows Town Square Publications to offer you attractive royalty and non-dues revenue share streams, provide direct distribution of your custom designed printed publications, including digital and mobile integration, and all with the quickest turn-around times available in the industry. Town Square also offers multi-media maps in both print and online formats, both with our No-Cost guarantee. More information: Town Square Publications
Chambers of Commerce and member focused organizations serve as a valuable resource in the local marketplace. The networking opportunities and representation with a wide variety of diverse businesses in your community is the catalyst of a successful organization. For further information about Town Square's publishing partnership with chambers of commerce and our No-Cost guarantee and Earned Revenue Share Program, To request your chamber publication or map proposal, contact Town Square Chamber Proposal
