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.
SubscribeThe Michigan Opportunity Podcast
PreviousEpisodes
Glenn Stevens, Executive Director, MICH Auto
Why MICHauto is the secret ingredient that helps grow and attract companies to the Michigan automotive & mobility ecosystem!
MICHauto’s mission is to protect, retain, and grow Michigan’s signature automotive industry and is the state’s only automotive and mobility cluster association. Join Glenn Stevens and host Ed Clemente as they discuss the variety of the parts that make up the mosaic of MICHauto's focus. Through four points, Glenn will identify how they are helping to grow the next-generation mobility industry, plus hear more about the PlanetM Landing Zone. Also, Glenn discusses how we can lead the nation in public policy and private investment to promote autonomous vehicle development, electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, and intelligent transportation systems. You can also read the transcript from our conversation.
September Hargrove, Vice President & Detroit Program Officer, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
The unique relationship of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Detroit and the Entrepreneurs of Color Fund and the moving story of the person who makes it happen.
September Hargrove is the Vice President & Detroit Program Officer at JPMorgan Chase & Co. Their data-driven investment in the city builds on the initial progress that helped boost the city’s recovery through the creation of sustainable loan programs for small businesses. This includes the Entrepreneurs of Color Fund and increased access to affordable housing and job training, which targets the gaps in the city’s economic recovery. Join September and host Ed Clemente and learn about this tremendous $200 million investment and discover all the varied partners, stakeholders and end-users who make up this unique financial program for those that have been underserved. Learn about VP Hargrove’s background, which makes her uniquely qualified to implement and benchmark this program. Additionally, she will help identify the trends and opportunities that are on the horizon for these financial efforts.
Daniel Garrison, Office Managing Director, Accenture, Detroit Innovation Hub
Here come the fresh ideas of how we move into the New Economy and Accenture is providing the global pathway options.
Accenture has 500,000+ employees globally, they are in 50 counties and have clients in 120 countries. Accenture's Detroit Innovation Hub is designed to help clients grow, compete and transform in the digital economy through strategic consulting. Follow Dan, Accenture's Detroit Office Managing Director, as he sees the future and the opportunities for Michigan, and how everything from digital nomads to Starlink will change the way how we live, work and play in the future. Along the way, learn a little bit about quantum computing, innovation and digitization, as Dan was an international work traveler seeing how the world of business is evolving first hand.
Jenelle Jagmin, Director, Michigan Craft Beverage Council and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Come discover the Beverage Culture in Michigan, with over 500 Breweries, Wineries & Distilleries.
Representing the tasting worlds of wine, beer, distilleries and ciders, join Jenelle Jagmin of the Michigan Craft Beverage Council, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Host Ed Clemente and learn about Michigan’s unique business ecosystem of craft beverages. Learn why Michigan's climate is so conducive to growth of the industry and the supply chain of products. Find out some of the numbers and geography of where all these unique businesses are located throughout the state, and their growing trends. Learn more about Michigan's growing hot spot sector, agritourism.
Dr. Stephen Rapundalo, President and CEO, MichBio
10 reasons you should be talking about MichBio; everything from wearables to health care, pharmaceuticals to ag bio and medical devices, and much more around the state of Michigan.
Dr. Stephen Rapundalo is President and CEO of MichBio, Michigan's official bio-industry association serving the pharmaceutical, medical device, ag-bio, R&D, health IT, and life science logistics sectors in the state. Join Dr. Rapundalo and host Ed Clemente as they discuss the wide array of the membership and sectors in these ever-growing fields for future bio industry areas and career guideposts. Dr. Rapundalo will be our guide across the state as he empirically shows that this organization is in every corner of Michigan and the sectors are ingrained into our economy. Discover how recent world events have been affected by what happens here in Michigan especially involving Pfizer, and the rich history of pharmaceuticals in the state.
Dr. Rebecca Cunningham, Vice President for Research, University of Michigan
VP Dr. Cunningham walks us through life sciences, mobility, Tech Transfer and much more at the nation’s largest public research university.
With a mission and responsibility as the nation's largest public research university, the University of Michigan Office of Research (UMOR) aims to catalyze, support and safeguard U-M research, with the bigger vision for research to serve the world. Join Dr. Cunningham as she walks us through the wide range of research that falls under her department ranging from animal care to Tech Transfer. She helps explain what Mcity and mobility research is doing for the future, as well the vast life sciences research. She also dispenses some real sound advice for future talent and how she and her department navigated Covid-19, for both operations and research.
Kevin Johnson, President and CEO, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation
Detroit Economic Growth Corporation: Find out why Kevin Johnson is up to the challenge of advancing the economy for all residents.
Kevin Johnson is the President and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation. The mission of the DEGC is to design and implement innovative solutions that attract investment, create jobs and advance Detroit’s economy for all residents. Join Kevin and host Ed Clemente to learn about neighborhood small-business growth, the new Stellantis/Fiat Chrysler Detroit Assembly Complex, Buy Detroit, international economic strategies and Detroit Means Business. He will also get into what the International Economic Development Council is, and his definition of what economic development means to compete. Overall, a very substantial and visionary discussion on Detroit and more!
Marty Fittante, CEO, Invest UP
Invest UP has a big job bringing prosperity to the 15 counties of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Hear how they’re doing it from the iron range to the Soo Locks!
Martin (Marty) Fittante is the Chief Executive Officer for InvestUP. InvestUP is the lead regional economic development organization for Michigan's Upper Peninsula, with the mission of driving prosperity across the entire region through collaboration, proactively leveraging relationships, and thoughtful leadership aimed at producing results. Join host Ed Clemente for a conversation with Marty about all the unique opportunities involved by attracting, retaining, creating and expanding industries with intellectual property for talent infrastructure, defense, medical devices, electronics and pharma. With support from several Economic Development Organizations and partners, InvestUP is improving internet access, creating higher education, leveraging natural resources, promoting tourism and much more. Also, find out what is going on at the Soo Locks, and the other former military air bases. Either way, the UP has lot going on!
Michael Healander – President and CEO, Air Space Link
What is the future of drone highways, AirHubs and LAANC? How Air Space Link is mapping the future in over 23 states.
Co-Founder, President & CEO of AirSpacelink, Michael Healander, joins host Ed Clemente on this episode of The Michigan Opportunity. AirSpacelink is the first cloud-based drone platform focused extensively on the needs of state & local government working to expand drone innovation. Ed and Michael help us get a real bird’s eye view of what’s up with the future of drone highways and what exactly is an Air Hub? They also discuss what’s happening in the present and in the near future on how public sector leaders manage and engage their drone communities. Learn how the FAA is involved, the Aerotropolis and what LAAANC is for pilots.
Also, how is Michigan developing talent in this area? How will 5G and Edge Computing play a role in this field?
Jennifer Owens - President, Lakeshore Advantage
What is up on Lake Michigan? The Lakeshore Advantage. See how they are helping West Michigan businesses in Allegan and Ottawa Counties.
Jennifer Owens is the President of Lakeshore Advantage, a non-profit economic development organization that connects businesses to the resources they need to grow in Allegan and Ottawa Counties. With host Ed Clemente, they discuss the ecosystem of advanced energy her team has been cultivating, other manufacturing industries as well as Opportunity Zones, Gentex, workforce and entrepreneurship. Jennifer has a strong pedigree in economic development, as well as a well-rounded career, strong internal and leadership teams, and partners to help make Lakeshore Advantage a successful organization.
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.