The Michigan Opportunity
Through dynamic discussion, The Michigan Opportunity markets the state and promotes Michigan as a world-class business location. The podcast serves as a forward-thinking voice for Michigan as a conduit to global trends and applications in the new global economy.
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PreviousEpisodes
Mackinac Policy Conference 2024 Part 2: Governor Whitmer, University Presidents, The Grand Hotel, NFL Detroit Draft and more
Join our host Ed Clemente for a special Michigan Opportunity Podcast live from Mackinac Policy Conference, hosted by the Detroit Regional Chamber. Hear from very interesting guests including Hilary Doe of MEDC; Ruthanne (Ruthie) Sudderth of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association; Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer; Ferris State University President Bill Pink; Grand Hotel President David Jurcak; Lawrence Technological University President Tarek Sobh; Claude Molinari & Christopher Moyer of Visit Detroit; Naheed Huq of SEMCOG & Khalil Rahal of DTE Energy.
Mackinac Policy Conference 2024 Part 1: Gordie Howe Bridge, U of M, MSU, Lt. Governor and much more
Join our host Ed Clemente for a special Michigan Opportunity Podcast live from the Mackinac Policy Conference, hosted by the Detroit Regional Chamber. Hear from our very interesting guests including Jeff Donofrio, President & CEO of Business Leaders for Michigan; Adrian Lewis, CEO of Forgotten Harvest; CEO Charl van Niekerk & Chief Relations Officer Heather Grondin, of the WDBA-APWD-Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority; President Santa Ono of University of Michigan & President Kevin Guskiewicz of Michigan State University; Maureen Donohue Krauss, President and CEO of the Detroit Regional Partnership; Jazmine Danci, Economic Development Administrator for the Downriver Community Conference - MI Works Community Conference; & Michigan’s Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II.
Robert Magee, Executive Director, The Engineering Society of Detroit
The Engineering Society of Detroit’s mission is to ensure Michigan maintains its position as a global hub for engineering and engineering leaders in private, public and higher education sectors. Hear Robert Magee discuss how the society promotes and celebrates excellence, talent, innovation, cooperation, professional growth and fellowship in the engineering and allied professions.
Tammy Carnrike, Chief Operating Officer, Detroit Regional Chamber
Tammy J. Carnrike is the Chief Operating Officer at the Detroit Regional Chamber, working with businesses in the 11-county Southeast Michigan Region. Hear Tammy discuss the chamber's nationally recognized Mackinac Policy Conference, and the statewide automotive and mobility cluster association, MICHauto, including a comprehensive education and talent strategy in the state.
Todd Brassard, Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, and Dr. Meredith LaBeau, Chief Technology Officer, Calumet Electronics Corp.
Deep in Copper Country, advanced manufacturing company Calumet Electronics engineers and develops microchip circuit boards for a broad list of industries. Hear from Todd Brassard, Vice President/Chief Operations Officer, and Dr. Meredith LaBeau, Chief Technology Officer, about the company’s award-winning research, design, engineering, and manufacturing specializing in high-quality printed circuit boards.
Dr. E’Lois Thomas, President, Solutions for Energy Efficient Logistics (SEEL)
Listen to Dr. E’Lois Thomas, PHD, President of SEEL, LLC talk about the nationally ranked logistics solutions company that prioritizes innovation and efficiency, while playing a vital role in driving sustainable energy practices and advancing program effectiveness in the industry. SEEL is a nationally certified minority business enterprise (MBE) service-disabled, veteran-owned (DVBE) energy efficiency program implementation contractor and also a Top 20 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led companies in the country.
Danny Ellis, CEO, SkySpecs
Michigan-based SkySpecs achieves a global reach through office that span 6 continents with Danny Ellis at the helm. A trailblazer in the realm of wind energy technology, SkySpecs has redefined the landscape of renewable energy asset management, providing tailored technologies and services that elevate industry standards in productivity, efficiency, and returns.
Xinyu Wu, Director of Visiting International Professional Program
Listen to Xinyu Wu, Director of Visiting International Professional Program; Director of the Office of China Program; and Executive Director of Michigan Council of Citizen Diplomacy, as she discusses the unique Visiting International Professional Program through Michigan State University. With 315 international participants from 58 countries and five continents and offers programs in more than 10 different U.S. cities, this program provides cutting-edge professional training and exchange programs for international organizations and professionals.
Leo Kempel, Dean of the Michigan State University College of Engineering
The future of engineering at Michigan State University (MSU) is rich with diverse opportunities, boasting a comprehensive range of majors that cater to a wide array of interests and career paths. Under the leadership of Dean Leo C. Kempel, the Dennis P. Nyquist Endowed Professor of Electromagnetics and the ninth dean of the MSU College of Engineering, students can explore at least 10 distinct majors. The focus on continuous education emerges as a key element to keep Michigan at the forefront of advancements in the diversity of engineering fields.
Mark Kramer, President and CEO, SME
Unlocking the Earth's Secrets: Mark Kramer, President and CEO of SME, describes some unique and iconic projects, as well as the infrastructure under our feet. Geotechnical Engineering and Environmental Engineering related, SME Engineering has over 50 years of excellence behind iconic projects from Notre Dame Stadium to clean energy initiatives, the Gordie Howe Bridge and more.
About the Host: Ed Clemente
Ed Clemente joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in 2020 as the Senior Advisor for Trends and Development.
From 2012-2020, Clemente served as a two-term governor appointed Hearing Commissioner for the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC). Executing over 7,000 judicial Orders/Decisions, over the tenure of service. Prior joining the MLCC, Clemente launched Michigan’s Energy Innovation Business Council (EIBC) establishing it as 501c3 and 501c6 entity and serving as its first President.
Ed Clemente was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2004 representing parts of southern Wayne County. During his three terms in the State House (2004-2010) he led task forces on electric vehicles, biosciences, film industry, Brownfield restoration, economic development, quality of life and advanced energy. Before his tenure as a public official, Clemente held several leadership roles at the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber of Commerce, including President and Director Economic and Business Development. He also previously chaired the Economic Development Committee of the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and was elected as a Trustee for Wayne County Community College District, serving four terms.
Clemente has earned degrees from Ferris State, Michigan State University and Sienna Heights Universities. Clemente was awarded with a prestigious fellowship to the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and The National Judicial College for Administrative Law. He graduated from several political leadership development programs, including Leadership Detroit, Michigan Political Leadership Program, and Leadership 21. He is a previous small business owner and has taught at Northwood University. Additionally, he hosts a “Critical Conversations” podcast and is a member of the Workforce Advisors for Wayne County Community College. Ed serves on the Board of Directors for Global Ties Detroit and the Motor Cities National Heritage Area. An avid traveler, Ed has visited more than 80 countries and territories, 150+ UNESCO World Heritage sites, many to play rugby tournaments, others for professional exchange and some for just intellectual curiosity.
The Michigan Opportunity is brought to you by Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). In collaboration with more than 100 economic development partners, MEDC markets Michigan as the place to do business, assists businesses in their growth strategies and fosters the growth of vibrant communities across the state.