Mr. Berdan has headed Northern Transformation Corporation, a newly formed 501c(3) since its inception in 2010.  As Executive Director of Region 7B Consortium- Michigan Works! for the past 14 years, he is responsible for workforce development activities in the six counties of  Arenac, Clare...

Fay Beydoun, a visionary leader who has devoted her career to serving the business community and the community at large. Since leading the American Arab Chamber of Commerce in 2008, Ms. Beydoun has used her talent and expertise to benefit the Chamber and the community with great enthusiasm, dedicati...

For over 19 years, Kathy Conklin has been the Executive Director of the Saginaw County Business & Education Partnership, which is an entrepreneurial nonprofit organization.  The Partnership is made up of leaders from business, education, and the community who are working together to increas...

Dr. Thomas Coon is the Director of Michigan State University (MSU) Extension and a Professor in the MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. He provides strategic leadership and oversight for administration, policy and program development. He is working to improve external relations, build linkage...

William T. Cross, PhD, has over 40 years of experience in American Indian public policy leadership and tribal economic development. Dr. Cross was appointed to the Commission on Indian Affairs for the State of Michigan as well as many other task forces and boards involving Native American Public poli...

Fred Dillingham became Executive Director of the Economic Development Council of Livingston County in 1997, and is responsible for oversight of a countywide program including manufacturing attraction, retention, and expansion programs.  EDC of Livingston County is also involved in workforce dev...

Pat Gillespie is the chief visionary, founder and president of Gillespie Group. Under Pat’s leadership, Gillespie Group has been at the forefront of development and property management, and is recognized as a driving force for progress in Lansing and throughout the state. A graduate of Michig...

Allan Hooper is Economic Development Manager for Consumers Energy, a large electric and natural gas utility serving much of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. He has 25+ years of experience in economic development where he has developed, managed and implemented a broad range of strategies including d...

Stefanie Lenway is a leading researcher and consultant on global technology management and corporate strategy. She was a co-founder of the Sloan Foundation’s flat panel display industry research team, which tracked the evolution of various flat display technologies from the early 1990’s ...

Patrick McPharlin joined Michigan State University Federal Credit Union in 1973. After holding a number of executive positions he became President/CEO in 2000. MSUFCU has an asset size of over $1.9 Billion and 157,000 members worldwide. For the years 2006 and 2007, MSUFCU was awarded the Society for...

Mr. Miller is currently employed by the Genesee County Regional Chamber of Commerce as Executive Vice President. Prior to joining the Genesee County Regional Chamber of Commerce, he was employed by the City of Flint, Michigan, as the Director of Government Operations, from February 2009 to August 20...

Tim has served as President of Northwestern Michigan College since February 2001. During his tenure, NMC established the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, Health Education, a Michigan Energy Demonstration Center, an Entrepreneurship curriculum and completed $68 million in renovations and con...

Marv Pichla has been with Michigan Thumbworks! for well over 25 years. As Executive Director, he serves as the chief executive officer for the agency, its staff, Boards and committees. He directs and guides policy and innovation for the organization’s regional career development, employment se...

Theda Rudd is a visiting lecturer in The School of Hospitality Business, Michigan State University.  Theda Rudd focuses on the practical application of sound business practices.  She lectures on Human Resources and Customer Service as they apply to the Hospitality Industry.  She honed...

Mr. Selig has over 20 years experience in airport management at airports in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Ohio prior to the Capital Region Airport Authority. He began service as the Executive Director of the Capital Region Airport Authority on November 18, 2002. Has a ...

Jeff is a Project Manager of New Economy Initiatives with the City of East Lansing and staffs the Lansing Regional Smartzone.  In these roles, he manages the Technology Innovation Center and The Hatch, and is involved in expanding the innovative culture in and around the region, thru events and...

Ken Theis, the former Director of the Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget, is currently the Chief Operating Officer for Dewpoint. He is responsible for the company’s strategic, tactical, and day-to-day operating activities. Ken earned a B.S. from Ferris State University ...

Ms. Nurten Ural is an interior designer and owns Ural Interiors, Inc., an interior design company. She also owns Ural Properties, LLC, leasing and managing company for commercial and residential properties. Ms. Ural is now serving as President of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA)...

Scott was promoted to Executive Director of Midland Tomorrow in January 2006 and became CEO in 2009. He began his tenure at Midland Tomorrow in April 2004, serving as its Economic Development Manager.   Previously, Scott worked in the Sales and Business Development Department at TRW Automoti...

Fairly certain that extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, and being generally impatient, Steve believes passionately in the practice of Disruptive Economic Development, particularly during a period of extended “white water” economic change.  He’s been known to s...

Arnold has been the Director, Strategic Initiatives and Federal Affairs with the Michigan Municipal League since November of 2004 and is responsible for the planning and development of new programs, services, publications, and outreach strategies to support the League’s broad policy initiative...

Dennis West has spent over 25 years in the Community Economic Development Movement, having worked on a broad range of community-based civic and professional activities. Since 1997, Dennis has served as President of Northern Initiatives, a private not for profit community development financial insti...