Detroiter articles from January 2005

Detroiter archives from January 2005

Future 50 event rocks.(Feedback)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... The Future 50 of Greater Detroit awards luncheon at the Troy Marriott in October was wonderful. Tom Wilson, president and CEO of Palace Sports & Entertainment, was a great speaker, and the Chamber representative at our table was very...

Great perk for Chamber members.(Feedback)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... I attended the Detroit Regional Chamber's networking event (membership reception) in August. It was the first one that I attended, and I was very impressed! Very nicely done--an outstanding perk for Chamber members. I only wish I would have...

'Citizen diplomats' contribute to world peace.(Feedback)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... On behalf of the International Visitors Council of Metropolitan Detroit, I would like to thank Dean Johnson of the Detroit Regional Chamber staff for hosting the delegation from Russia in August, examining the topic of "Collective Bargaining in...

Banking article was on the mark.(Feedback)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... Lawrence Gardner's article "How to get the business loan you need" in the Detroiter's Fourth Quarter 2004 Complete Business Resource Guide was well done. I forwarded a copy to our entire staff. Paul Sobb Partner Sobb, Roberts &...

Clarification.(Correction Notice)
January 1, 2005... In the Detroiter's Fourth Quarter 2004 Complete Business Resource Guide, Ned R. Piccinini should have been identified as president of MCM Learning in Warren, a Bronze-level member of the Detroit Regional Chamber. His photo (right) was also...

Focus on success: get involved today with the Chamber's 'Centrals'.(From the President)(Detroit Regional Chamber)
January 1, 2005... In the world of make-believe they say. "Now close your eyes and focus..." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] At the Detroit Regional Chamber, we're focusing with our eyes wide open. This Chamber has probably one of the most diverse...

Bizzy? Who izzy?(InBox)
January 1, 2005... Trivia question: Who's 8 feet tall with skin the color of a robin's egg and hair so spiky it would amaze Bart and Lisa Simpson? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Answer: It's "Bizzy," the Detroit Regional Chamber's new mascot whose role is to...

Diversity: a business imperative.(InBox)
January 1, 2005... The Detroit Regional Chamber, The National Conference for Community and Justice and Oakland County Employment Diversity Council are planning a diversity conference that will help companies of all sizes create a better work environment and...

Protect your credit with Equifax.(Chamber benefit updates)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Detroit Regional Chamber members are now entitled to special discounts through Equifax, the recognized leader in consumer credit management. Equifax provides online access to your personal credit files through these programs: Score...

Network with the Detroit Economic Club.(Chamber benefit updates)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The Detroit Economic Club has partnered with the Chamber to offer exclusive networking and access to events. Chamber members at the Business Builder level and above can enjoy a 10 percent discount when joining the Detroit Economic Club. Chamber...

Chamber wins diversity award.(InBox)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The Detroit Regional Chamber and three other Southeast Michigan organizations were honored for their ongoing efforts and steadfast commitment to diversity at the Third Annual Caleidoscope of Culture Awards program in October. [ILLUSTRATION...

Mackinac at 25: making the tough decisions; Building on last year's groundbreaking forum on race relations is a top priority.(InBox)
January 1, 2005... In 25 years, the Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference has grown from a modest beginning that drew 130 attendees in 1981 to become one of this country's pre-eminent public policy conferences. From that small start, it has...

New members.(InBox)
January 1, 2005... Welcome to these members who joined the Detroit Regional Chamber or upgraded their membership level during October and November 2004: GOLD ATC Health Care Trenton New Image Building Services Inc. Mt. Clemens...

The Leadership Detroit experience.(Leadership Detroit)
January 1, 2005... This is the last of 10 Leadership Detroit graduate profiles honoring LD's 25th anniversary in 2004. Visit "Leadership Central" at www.detroitchamber.com to read the entire series. I was having lunch with Gail Kaess (LD XIV), generally...

Small business specialist: Elaine McMahon, senior vice president in charge of Comerica Bank's Southeast Michigan Small Business Lending Department, blends the roles of banker, teacher, counselor and mentor to help entrepreneurs succeed.(Interview)(Cover Story)(Biography)
January 1, 2005... What should entrepreneurs be looking for when they seek out a banker? Elaine McMahon pauses for a moment and then responds: "Look for a quality banker that wants to build a relationship with you." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] McMahon might...

Asset-based lending: the lowdown on an alternative approach for capital-starved companies.(Finance)
January 1, 2005... With the advent of deregulation, which allowed banks to cross state lines and resulted in large-scale bank acquisitions and mergers, the credit approval landscape of commercial banks has become much more homogenous for middle-market companies....

Coming up: 6-week training program for Chamber members.
January 1, 2005... If you're looking to run your small business more profitably, take advantage of the Chamber's new six-week training program with Wayne State University. Beginning Jan. 28 and running through March 1, members can attend a class weekly from 7-9...

Debt: to sue or not to sue; What to do before you turn a receivable over to a collector.(Finance)
January 1, 2005... For some companies, selecting accounts to place into collection may be as simple as turning over all accounts that are over 60 days old. For the rest of us, however, if we are to make intelligent decisions about filing suit to collect debts,...

Annual business check: begin the new year by examining the health of your business.(Finance)
January 1, 2005... Most people who are involved in or own businesses tend to reflect at this time of the year on successes and failures. We do this in an effort to measure where we are as compared to where we felt we would be or where we planned to be as the new...

Why 'bigger' is not necessarily 'better'.(Report From the Front Lines)(Dynamic Computer Corporation Inc.)
January 1, 2005... In the world of business, we have seen companies make the mistake in assuming that "bigger" (as in more revenue, more locations, more "buzz") is "better." We know this is an error in perception, having found our own relatively small size to...

Noncompete agreements: a practical--and enforceable--approach.(Legal)
January 1, 2005... Highly mobile and sought-after executives and business professionals. Trade information and knowledge moving easily between jobs and regions of our country. Michigan-based firms with multi-state operations. An intense competitive landscape. The...

Environmental site assessments: federal 'due diligence' regulations are changing.(Legal)(United States. Environmental Protection Agency)
January 1, 2005... Environmental due diligence has become a necessity for anyone who is buying commercial or industrial property. Since the 1980s, the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment or ESA has been the standard approach to due diligence in property...

How to protect your company's trade secrets: even small businesses need to be on the alert.(Legal)
January 1, 2005... When most people hear the term "trade secret," they automatically think about something major like the formula for Coca-Cola; they don't realize that trade secret theft can impact businesses of all sizes. When employees move on to new jobs...

Suppliers: when a long-term contract is more of an anchor than a windfall.(NEWSLETTER)
January 1, 2005... Many manufacturing suppliers, including those in the metropolitan Detroit area, are facing a dilemma. They have entered into long-term contracts to supply goods, but due to substantially escalating costs, find it difficult to supply them at the...

Budget shortfalls fuel increased IRS heat on small and medium size businesses.(TRIALS)(Internal Revenue Service)
January 1, 2005... With federal and state government coffers dwindling, both bodies are now turning up the heat on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to become more aggressive in its large dollar audit work. As a result of this renewed audit energy exhibited by...

With the rise of Internet banking, do we really need a branch on every corner?(TRIALS)
January 1, 2005... Everywhere you look in western Wayne, Oakland and Washtenaw Counties, new development is springing up on every corner. And yes, many times--"it's another bank branch." So where are the customers going to come from to support all this new brick...

Not just for OEMs: with the right business plan, China could be a land of opportunity for suppliers.(TRENDS)(Original Equipment Manufacturer )
January 1, 2005... One of the most significant and widely reported on challenges affecting our automotive suppliers can be summed up in a single word: China. China is aggressively transforming itself from an agrarian to an industrialized nation and in the process...

Michigan manufacturers poised to gain from American jobs creation act of 2004.(NEWS)
January 1, 2005... President Bush has signed what is being called "a sweeping re-write of corporate tax law" signaling the first overhaul of corporate taxation since the Reagan Administration. The 650-page legislation will impact virtually every U.S. business,...

R & P joins Walsh College to launch Michigan's only educational resource for family based business owners.(TOOLS)(Walsh College Family Business Center)(Raymond & Prokop)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Raymond & Prokop is one of four founding sponsors of the new Walsh College Family Business Center, designed to provide new resources for those who own and manage family based businesses in Michigan. "Walsh has put together a one of a kind...

Developing your IT project: a well-crafted plan is the key to success.(Technology)
January 1, 2005... Corporate Websites and intranets have made huge strides in the last decade. Internet technologies have become responsive and reliable, with features improving by leaps and bounds. Companies are selling more of their wares online and are able to...

IT security: tips for preparing and protecting your business from an attack.(Technology)
January 1, 2005... Business is losing the war on IT security. There's a better than 90 percent chance your company will be a victim of a malicious attack on your computer infrastructure--virus, worms, hackers, Trojan horses. Most of these attacks will result in...

Free membership! Special IT offer for Chamber members.(Technology)(Walsh College Information Assurance Center )
January 1, 2005... Walsh College Information Assurance Center is offering free memberships to small business members of the Detroit Regional Chamber. The IAC provides businesses and organizations with education, information and training in responding to cyber...

Telephone sales tips: how to get out of voice mail purgatory.(Marketing)
January 1, 2005... Arm yourself with confidence when picking up the telephone to prospect. When you know you're doing your prospects a favor, it builds your confidence. After all, you're giving them a choice on how best to reach their goals. Doesn't everyone want...

Networking for success.(Marketing)
January 1, 2005... Networking is the art of building relationships, yet it seems an under-appreciated leadership skill. In most books on leadership, networking rates hardly a mention, but no business can flourish without the connectors, the people who build and...

Competing in the global marketplace: it's no longer a business strategy reserved solely for the Fortune 500.(Small Business CENTRAL)
January 1, 2005... Not a day goes by when business owners aren't commenting that the world is becoming a smaller place. However, the exact opposite may be a more accurate statement. The world is actually becoming a larger place in that businesses of all sizes and...

Strategies for corporate relocations: 5 tips for a trouble-free move.(Small Business CENTRAL)
January 1, 2005... With today's flux in available office space, business owners continue to assess real estate requirements to reduce their ongoing cost of occupancy or to accommodate business expansions or contractions. When the location assessment results in...

Disaster preparedness: no-cost and low-cost tips for dealing with emergencies.(Small Business CENTRAL)
January 1, 2005... What type of disaster would affect your small business? A medical emergency such as an employee with cardiac arrest, a power outage that impacts the entire community, a flood that affects your staff and customers from getting in and out of your...

Image and liability issues: can your business pass the white-glove test?(Small Business CENTRAL)
January 1, 2005... As a business owner, you don't have to be told that time is a precious commodity. That's why it's easy to overlook or even forget many of those "I'll-get-to-it-later" chores or maintenance items that are so important to your image. Some...

How to pick the right staffing firm: the first step is knowing what's offered and how it fits your needs.(Workforce CENTRAL)
January 1, 2005... In an economy that can easily shift from overdrive to stall just as businesses have committed to new employees, the importance of temporary staffing solutions has never been so clear. Once the sole domain of administrative support,...

Family-friendly benefits.(Report From the Front Lines)(LaMont Title Corp)
January 1, 2005... Establishing and growing a small business is a constant balance between providing the highest level product or service to customers and hiring and retaining a motivated, committed workforce. The challenge is to pay equal attention to both,...

How to retain employees: a high turnover rate is costly in both direct and indirect costs.(Workforce CENTRAL)
January 1, 2005... Many owners of businesses with high employee turnover find themselves running in place instead of growing their companies. As the economy improves, more employers are facing this issue because employees are shopping around their resumes in...

The challenge of change: recognize the 6 reasons for resistance among your staff.(Workforce CENTRAL)
January 1, 2005... We constantly hear the phrase, "Change is the only constant." Well, if it's so constant, why do employees still resist change? There are six primary reasons why workplace change can be challenging. 1. Employees don't understand the reasons...

5 steps to effective employee selection.(Case History)
January 1, 2005... St. John Health implemented pre-hire employee testing and interview systems about a year ago. The systems focused on patient-contact jobs ranging from porters to nurses and therapists. Follow-up studies have shown that these systems...

Coming up: Workforce Strategies Conference.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Workforce Strategies Conference April 21, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The University of Michigan-Dearborn, Fairlane Center This daylong conference presented by the Detroit Regional Chamber will offer information on workforce trends and best...

Outsourcing HR: it's an emerging strategy for small and midsized firms.(Workforce CENTRAL)(human resource)
January 1, 2005... More than 87 percent of the funds that midsize companies budget for Finance and Human Resource processes go toward administrative transactions rather than strategic reporting and analysis, which will move a business forward. In response, firms...

Year-end plan review: it's the ideal time for a formal review of your company's health plans.(Health Care CENTRAL)
January 1, 2005... The end of the year is frequently a time of review and reflection for many. However, most organizations do not take the time to formally review their health plans and the changes made that year on a retrospective basis. Employee benefits...

A business health-care checklist for 2005.(Health Care CENTRAL)
January 1, 2005... Here is a list of the key health-care issues to address as your business closes 2004 and looks forward to 2005: Final COBRA regulations: In May 2004, the U.S. Department of Labor released final COBRA regulations addressing required notices,...

Affordable coverage: 4 strategies to help you manage rising costs.(Health Care CENTRAL)
January 1, 2005... For most small and midsized business owners, the costs of providing affordable health-care coverage for their employees have become more and more difficult to bear. Fortunatcly, there are several sensible and straightforward strategies...

Powerful teamwork: a 3-step process to create balance and synergy in the workplace.(Leadership CENTRAL)(Synergism)
January 1, 2005... Are interoffice clashes reducing your team's productivity? Are good people missing critical deadlines? Individual employees may have tremendous attributes but their interactions within a team may be less than great. This is where the most...

Coming up: Leadership Detroit Information Breakfast.(Public Notice)
January 1, 2005... Leadership Detroit Information Breakfast Feb. 23, 8-9:30 a.m. Detroit Regional Chamber headquarters The Leadership Detroit program is a truly innovative and influential force impacting the region's leadership--and you can be a...

Virtual teamwork: smart business leaders are building high-performance virtual teams.(Leadership CENTRAL)
January 1, 2005... People who work together at the same time and place are decreasing in numbers. In many instances, your employees do not have to be in the same place at the same time to get the work done. Nevertheless, you want them to work together effectively...

Lean manufacturing: why a 'lean' strategy makes good business sense.(Manufacturing CENTRAL)
January 1, 2005... Buzzwords. We're all familiar with them, these catchwords used to impress and confuse the average person. At first glance, "lean manufacturing" could be lumped in with other business approaches and dismissed as another helping in the endless...

Coming up: Great Lakes Manufacturing Forum.
January 1, 2005... The Detroit Regional Chamber, The Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the office of the Canadian Consul are partnering with organizations from throughout Michigan, Ontario, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota to present the Great Lakes...

Communication strategy: conquer the hurdles that are inhibiting dialogue with your employees.(Manufacturing CENTRAL)
January 1, 2005... American manufacturers are a cornerstone of the U.S. economy, emblazoned with the best values, innovations and processes. However, of all your organization's processes, communication is likely the most pervasive, yet the least understood....

Detroit Regional Chamber.(BENCHMARKS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Richard E. Blouse Jr., CCE, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber, was selected by the Detroit Executives Association as its "Executive of the Year." This prestigious award is given annually by the DEA to a Southeast Michigan leader...

Conway, MacKenzie & Dunleavy.(BENCHMARKS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Walsh College presented its annual Jeffery W. Barry Award for Educational Excellence and Service to Ronald Hall, chairman and CEO, Bridgewater Interiors; Denise Ilitch, former president, Ilitch Holdings; and Van Conway, partner, Conway,...

Detroit Hispanic Development Corp.(BENCHMARKS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The Hispanic Business Alliance presented its annual Corporate Advocate Award to Enrique Carrillo, vice president of Corporate Public Affairs for Comerica Inc., in recognition of his leadership and advocacy efforts on behalf of Hispanic...

DTE Energy Foundation.(Gold members)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The DTE Energy Foundation received the TEC Champion Leadership Award at the 2004 NASA SEMAA directors meeting in Washington, D.C., for its work in providing opportunities for K-12 students in Detroit to learn about science, engineering,...

Foley & Lardner LLP.(Gold members)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Foley & Lardner LLP, a global law firm with an office in Detroit, received a 2004 "CIO 100" award from CIO magazine. The award recognizes the top 100 companies worldwide that have demonstrated positive business performance by creating an...

Henry Ford Hospital.(Gold members)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Kevin M. Chan, MD, of Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit received a 2004 Governors Community Service Award from the CHEST Foundation, given to medical professionals who demonstrate outstanding dedication to community health through volunteer work....

General Motors Corp.(Gold members)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The Detroit Historical Society named General Motors Corp. executives Elizabeth A. Lowery, vice president, Environment and Energy, and Deborah Dingell, executive director, Community & Government Relations and vice chair, GM Foundation, to its...

IABC/Detroit's Renaissance Awards ceremony.(Gold members)
January 1, 2005... AAA Michigan and DTE Energy both received top honors at the IABC/Detroit's Renaissance Awards ceremony. DTE Energy received the 2004 President's Award for Communications Management for its solid communication plan in the wake of the 2003 power...

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.(Silver members)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The PIME Missionaries presented its annual Knights of Charity award to Richard and Sandy Dauch. Richard Dauch is co-founder, chairman and CEO of Detroit-based American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. and 2004-2005 chairman of the Detroit Regional...

Strategic Staffing Solutions.(Silver members)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Detroit-based Strategic Staffing Solutions has qualified as a vendor with the federal government through the General Services Administration. Cynthia J. Pasky, the company's president and CEO and member of the Chamber's Board of Directors, said...

Barton Malow Co.(Silver members)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Barton Malow Co., a Southfield-based construction services firm, received two awards at the 2004 Metro Detroit American Heart Walk Awards Ceremony: Top Company (100-499 employees) and Gold Heart Award for raising more than $32,000.

Walbridge Aldinger Co.(Silver members)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Walbridge Aldinger Co., a Detroit-based construction company, was selected as the 2004 Corporation of the Year in the Construction Category by the Michigan Minority Business Development Council. The company also was ranked No. 1 in automotive...

Greektown Casino.(Silver members)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Greektown Casino in Detroit received nine first-place awards from the trade magazine Casino Journal. Greektown was rated No. 1 for "Best Progressive Slots," "Best Nickel Slots," "Best 50-Cent Slots," "Best Slot Attendants," "Best Slot Club...

SmithGroup Inc.(Silver members)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Detroit-based architecture and engineering firm SmithGroup Inc. received three awards of merit for lighting design during the annual International Illumination Design Awards sponsored by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America....

Handleman Co.(Silver members)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... For the third year in a row, Troy-based Handleman Co. was named "Large Wholesaler of the Year" by the National Association of Recording Merchandisers. The award recognizes Handleman's outstanding achievements in the music industry supply chain....

Davenport University.(Silver members)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Wafica Ghoul, Ph.D., a finance professor at Davenport University in Dearborn, received a Fulbright Scholar award grant to lecture and do research at Kaslik University in Lebanon during the 2004-2005 academic year. Ghoul, a native of Lebanon,...

Michigan Economic Development Corporation.(Silver members)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Competing against hundreds of economic-development organizations from around the world, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation received six awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). No other single organization...

WXYZ-TV.(Silver members)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Grace Gilchrist, vice president and general of WXYZ-TV in Southfield, was inducted into the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. With nearly 10 years in her present position, Gilchrist has the longest tenure of any vice...

Federal-Mogul Corp.(Silver members)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Southfield-based Federal-Mogul Corp.'s aftermarket friction team received the 2004 Frost & Sullivan Customer Value Enhancement Award for its development and introduction of Wagner ThermoQuiet [R] premium brake pads. The pads previously received...

Clark Hill PLC.(Silver members)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Clark Hill PLC business attorneys William B. Dunn and Daniel H. Minkus were named to the Chambers USA list of America's Leading Business Lawyers. Dunn received the highest rating in the Real Estate category. Minkus was selected in the...

Howard & Howard Attorneys PC.(Silver members)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... New Center Community Mental Health Services presented its "Caring Place in the Neighborhood Award" to John F. Burns, an attorney with Howard & Howard Attorneys PC in Bloomfield Hills. Burns has provided legal services to NCCMH since its...

Unique Critique LLC.(Silver members)(Achievements and awards)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Unique Critique LLC, a business image consulting firm in Shelby Township, was honored by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth/Michigan Rehabilitation Services for its effort in assisting people with disabilities in their...

Deloitte & Touche USA LLP.(ACCOUNTING/BANKING/FINANCE)(PROMOTIONS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... John P. Basford to firm director, Ron Cooper to firm director of human resources, Michael Shehab to principal and Karen Hollister, Julie Wahrman, Eileen Crowley and Mark Crowley to partners at the Detroit office of Deloitte & Touche USA LLP....

Deloitte Consulting LLP.(ACCOUNTING/BANKING/FINANCE)(Appointment of Leah Reynolds)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Leah Reynolds to national practice leader of Total Reward Communication in the Human Capital Services practice at the Detroit office of Deloitte Consulting LLP. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Huntington Bank.(ACCOUNTING/BANKING/FINANCE)(Appointments )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... James Ian Anderson to vice president and East Michigan mortgage group manager and Julie Glasgow and Rodger Rowland to vice presidents and retail district managers at Troy-based Huntington Bank.

Grant Thornton LLP.(ACCOUNTING/BANKING/FINANCE)(Appointments)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Ralph Ourlian to manager in the state and local practice; Paul Morris to manager, business advisory services; Nadia Yakusheva and Jodie Binroth to assurance senior associates; Susan Gruenewald, Brian Proust, Nomit Shah and Jack Williams to...

MetLife Financial Services.(ACCOUNTING/BANKING/FINANCE)(Appointment of Susan A. Myers)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Susan A. Myers, CPA, to senior financial planner with Michigan Financial Associates in Troy, an office of MetLife Financial Services. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Plante & Moran LLP.(ACCOUNTING/BANKING/FINANCE)(Appointment of Leslie Murphy)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Leslie Murphy, manager partner, Client Services, at Plante & Moran LLP in Southfield and member of the Detroit Regional Chamber's board of directors, to vice chair of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Peoples State Bank.(ACCOUNTING/BANKING/FINANCE)(Appointment of Julie Osborne )(Appointment of Ellen George)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Julie Osborne to second vice president, managed assets director and Ellen George to vice president, loan review/credit department director at Peoples State Bank, based in Madison Heights. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

BEI Associates Inc.(ARCHITECTURE/ENGINEERING)(Appointment of Patrick J. Smithbauer)(Appointments of Gary Dudlets)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Patrick J. Smithbauer, PE, to vice president of business development and Gary Dudlets, PE, to associate and assistant director in the Electrical Engineering Department at BEI Associates Inc. in Detroit.