Detroiter articles from June 2002

Detroiter archives from June 2002

Engler's broadband plan puts Michigan in digital overdrive.(Feed Back)(Gov. John Engler's MI HiSpeed Internet Plan)
June 1, 2002... You don't have to be a software development company, instant messaging fanatic or techno music junkie to appreciate Gov. John Engler's MI HiSpeed Internet Plan. By accelerating the deployment of broadband statewide, Michigan will create more...

Say no to status quo: our region needs visionary leaders.(From the President)(Leadership United in a Changing World)
June 1, 2002... As you read this, staff is putting the final touches on the Detroit Regional Chamber's 22nd annual Leadership Policy Conference on Mackinac Island. (Many of you will read this on the island.) The theme is "Leadership United in a Changing...

Membership benefits.(In Box)(member discounts)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Check out these money-saving products and services for Chamber members: Get discounts of up to 65 percent on Office Depot products. For more information, call Ebony Davis at (313) 596-0337 or e-mail: edavis@detroitchamber.com. Also ask...

Healthy talk.(In Box)(many working adults are problem drinkers)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... According to the U.S. Department of Labor, over 6 percent of the country's full-time working adults are problem drinkers. Every year, alcoholism causes 500 million lost work-days and 47 percent of workplace injuries. Morale suffers as...

Stop, listen and learn.(In Box)("The Digital Hour," sponsored by Detroit Regional Chamber)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Be sure to tune in to "The Digital Hour," sponsored by the Detroit Regional Chamber, every Saturday from 6-7 p.m. on WJR AM. Featuring technology success stories, information for entrepreneurs seeking financing, as well as emerging...

New members.(In Box)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Welcome to these companies who joined the Detroit Regional Chamber in March. Silver BSI Inc Troy Covisint LLC Southfield E L E Wealth Management ...

Chamber Envoy.(In Box)(honorary chairperson of Detroit Regional Chamber Envoy Club)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Shelley Moses director of leasing and marketing for AmeriCenters Inc., was named honorary chairperson of the Detroit Regional Chamber Envoy Club. Launched in January 2001, the Envoy Club is a strategic partnership committed to facilitating...

Anniversaries.(In Box)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Thanks to these companies for their long-term commitment to the Detroit Regional Chamber. 25 Years Embassy Building Co. Dearborn 20 Years The Berline Group Inc. Bloomfield...

Calendar.(In Box)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Mark your business appointment book now! Our monthly calendar keeps you in the loop on the upcoming seminars, conferences, meetings and other events you need to know about. Many Detroit Regional Chamber events are free or discounted for...

Steady at the helm: in the rough seas of mergers, acquisitions, power commodities and utility regulation and deregulation, Stephen Ewing of DTE Energy Gas keeps a firm grip on the wheel.(Personality Profile)
June 1, 2002... Picture Steve Ewing hiking in the Himalayas. Then in Sicily and northern Italy. And then on to places like Argentina, Chile and Turkey. This year you might spot him biking along the Danube from Munich to Prague. Maybe you're surprised that...

Partners: as it embarks on its second five-year phase, the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership is ready to broaden its base of support in the global game plan called economic development.(Economic Development)(Detroit Region is a high-technology hub)
June 1, 2002... If there had been a custom dictionary just for Southeast Michigan before 1997, you might not have found the word "regional" listed under the R's. The notion of the Detroit metropolitan area as a unified region competing in the global...

Two innovative programs--one common goal: creative approaches are what differentiate the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership from other economic-development initiatives. Bottom line: no other organization is offering programs like these.(Economic Development)(new Market Opportunity Assessment program)
June 1, 2002... Market Opportunity Assessment By Dean Johnson As the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership gears up for its second five-year program, we're expanding the scope of our services and adding exceptional value to our clients and...

Case study: the Recticel story.(Economic Development)(Belgian automotive supplier)
June 1, 2002... Recticel is a Belgian automotive supplier with more than 10,000 employees worldwide and more than $900 million in annual sales. U.S. operations include its North American headquarters in Auburn Hills and a plant in South Carolina that supplies...

The link in the chain: the Detroit Regional Chamber is re-tooling its workforce development programs.(Economic Development)(economic development in the Detroit Region)
June 1, 2002... It's an inescapable fact that economic development in the Detroit Region is inextricably linked with workforce development. Surveys conducted by site-selection consultants make it clear that corporate location and expansion decisions in the...

Wanted: skilled workers: focus: HOPE answers the call with its career training and education programs.(Economic Development)(developing a skilled workforce)
June 1, 2002... It's hard to find qualified workers. Many employers feel that way at one time or another. Detroit's Focus: HOPE has accepted the challenge of developing a skilled workforce through its career training and education programs: the Machinist...

Business without borders: a short guide to the technicalities of competing in the import/export market.(Economic Development)(Detroit-area businesses expanding)
June 1, 2002... Dramatic technological advances in communications and transportation are encouraging many Detroit-area businesses to expand their customer base by engaging in commerce beyond U.S. borders. In addition to new sales opportunities,...

Got cash? developing our technology sector is key to the region's economic development--but financing can be tricky.(Tech Knowledge)(technology businesses)
June 1, 2002... Building a business requires a combination of talent, hard work and, ultimately, money. Any type of business venture requires money to get it going or to help it grow. However, technology-focused businesses have fewer places to find that money....

Opportunity knocks.(Issues & Impacts)(Michigan legislature)
June 1, 2002... Issue: The recent implementation of term limits changed life under Michigan's capitol dome forever. Impact: New and inexperienced, lawmakers make up for what they lack in traditional 'beltway' relationships by relying heavily on local...

Tax flight: why businesses vote with their feet.(on the economy)(market economics is about choices)
June 1, 2002... For decades, it has been the mantra of many folks that tax high burdens have no meaningful impact when businesses decide where to locate their offices and production facilities. Even more obtusely, those who subscribe to this notion also...

General Motors Corp.(Benchmarsk)(National Campaign for Hearing Health's Leadership Award)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Larry Burns, vice president for research and development at General Motors Corp., is the first recipient of the National Campaign for Hearing Health's Leadership Award for his active role in promoting hearing health in the business world and...

NTH Consultants Ltd.(Benchmarks)(Outstanding Engineer in Private Practice)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Keith Swaffar, PE, chief operating officer of NTH Consultants Ltd. in Farmington Hills, was honored as "Outstanding Engineer in Private Practice" by the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers at its Surveying Excellence Awards banquet.

Lighthouse of Oakland County Inc.(Benchmarks)(Unsung Heroines Award)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Noreen Keating, president of Lighthouse of Oakland County Inc., was among the recipients of this year's "Unsung Heroines Award" from the Mitsubishi Motors USA Foundation. U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., nominated Keating for the award.

The Detroit Medical Center.(Benchmarks)(achieves ISO 14001 certification)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... The Detroit Medical Center became the first health system in the United States to achieve ISO 14001 certification, verifying that it has implemented an Environmental Management System. This system ensures the highest possible standards for...

Macomb Community College honored Delphi Automotive Systems and EDS at its 33rd Annual Industrial Cooperative Education Awards Banquet.(Benchmarks)(Outstanding Cooperative Education Employer Award)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Macomb Community College honored Delphi Automotive Systems and EDS at its 33rd Annual Industrial Cooperative Education Awards Banquet. Delphi received the 2001 Sgt. David Falk Outstanding Cooperative Education Employer Award for its outstanding...

Testing Engineers & Consultants Inc.(Benchmarks)(Outstanding Engineer of the Year)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Carey J. Suhan, PE, vice president and principal of Testing Engineers & Consultants Inc. in Troy, was awarded the "Outstanding Engineer of the Year" award by the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers Detroit Metro Chapter.

Happy anniversary!(Benchmarks)(Detroit Regional Chamber members)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... These four Detroit Regional Chamber members are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year. * Miller Canfield, Paddock and Stone, PLC was founded in Detroit in 1852 by Sidney Davy Miller, A 22-year-old Harvard Law School graduate....

Associated General Contractors, Greater Detroit Chapter.(Architecture/Construction)(director of marketing services)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Frank Mortl III to director of marketing services at the Associated General Contractors, Greater Detroit Chapter in Southfield.

SmithGroup.(Architecture/Construction)(new executives)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Z.Y. Liu, PE, and Joseph H. Trusk, PE, to principals at SmithGroup in Detroit.

National City Bank of Michigan/Illinois.(Banking/Finance)(new executives)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Kevin R Lambrix to vice president, corporate banking in Southeast Michigan and Thomas R. Kuslits to senior vice president, corporate banking in the Detroit Region for National City Bank of Michigan/Illinois.

Huntington National Bank.(Banking/Finance)(new executives)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Monica Below, Linda Bomberski, Linda Dunning, Margaret Jasica, Sheila Taylor, William Whitehouse and Kelly Zelenak to associates in the Private Financial Group in Huntington National Bank's East Michigan region.

Grant Thornton LLP.(Banking/Finance)(Russell Wieman, new chairman)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Russell Wieman to chairman of the Executive Committee at Grant Thornton LLP in Southfield.

Peoples State Bank.(Banking/Finance)(Robert Champion, new vice president)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Robert Champion to second vice president and manager of the managed assets and loan collection departments and Stephen Bukowski to Champion branch manager at Peoples State Bank in Hamtramck.

Follmer, Rudzewicz & Co. PC.(Banking/Finance)(new managing directors)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Michael Hirsch and Vince Tomkinson to managing directors in the Southfield office of Follmer, Rudzewicz & Co. PC.

Palace Sports and Entertainment.(Entertainment)(David Wieme, new director of strategic communications)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... David Wieme to director of strategic communications at Palace Sports and Entertainment in Auburn Hills.

MGM Grand Detroit Casino.(Entertainment)(new executives)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Jay Dee Clayton to executive vice president of operations and Trenton Richmond to database marketing manager at MGM Grand Detroit Casino in Detroit.

Testing Engineers & Consultants Inc.(Environmental)(Board of Directors of Detroit Downtown Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Katherine Banicki, president of Testing Engineers & Consultants Inc. in Troy, to the Board of Directors of Detroit Downtown Inc.

The Dragun Corp.(Environmental)(Matthew Schraeder, new project engineer)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Jeffrey Bolin to manager of the Corrective Action and Remediation Group, Allan Lawton to manager of the Property Transaction Group and Matthew Schraeder to project engineer at The Dragun Corp. in Farmington Hills.

Plunkeff & Cooney PC.(Legal)(new hires at legal services firms)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Michael Almassian to the Insurance Law Practice Group, Larry W. Barkoff and David Krall to the Business Law Department, and George A. Netschke to the Insurance/Professional Liability Department of the Bloomfield Hills office of Plunkeff &...

Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith PC.(Legal)(new shareholders)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Dirk Beckwith, Paul Millenbach and Jennifer Walbridge to shareholders at Farmington Hills-based Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith PC.

Butzel Long PC.(Legal)(new shareholders )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... David Braun, Robin Luce, Patricia Erhart Nessel, Howard Goldman, Keith James, David Potts, Laura Rummans, Kent Skrivan, Timothy Wittebort and Michael Witzke to shareholders at Butzel Long PC in Detroit, Also: Attorney and shareholder Arthur...

Lovio/George/Inc.(Marketing/Public Relations)(Kimberly Skeitis, new account supervisor)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Kimberly Skeitis to account supervisor at lovio/george/ inc. in Detroit.

Bianchi Public Relations Inc.(Marketing/Public Relations)(Kelly Donaldson, new assistant account executive)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Kelly Donaldson to assistant account executive at Bianchi Public Relations Inc. in Troy.

Starfish Family Services.(Nonprofits)(Learning Institute For Employment)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Lois Cobb to program officer for the Learning Institute For Employment (LIFE) at Starfish Family Services in Inkster.

Edcor.(Services)(business development group)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Kenneth G. Myers, Ray Sohn, Judith Hoeffler and Annette De Lorenzo to the business development group at Pontiac-based Edcor.

Great Lakes Strategies LLC.(Services)(Michael Mamish, new director of retirement administration services)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Michael Mamish to principal and director of retirement administration services at Great Lakes Strategies LLC in Birmingham.

Rootlevel.(Technology)(Board of Trustees of Npower Michigan)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... John Lauer. founder and CEO of Rootlevel in Detroit, to the Board of Trustees of Npower Michigan.

LDMI Telecommunications.(Telecommunications)(Mark Wayne, new vice president)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Mark Wayne to vice president, product delivery at LDMI Telecommunications in Hamtramck.

Targeting high-risk girls.(Civic minded: working together for a better community)(substance abuse rehabilitation)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... As part of its continuing effort to specialize its treatment focus, Vista Maria has developed a substance abuse rehabilitation component for its Girls CARE Program targeting high-risk adolescent girls. The Michigan Department of Consumer...

Virtual field trip.(Civic minded: working together for a better community)(Electronic Data Systems backs field trip)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Electronic Data Systems (EDS) took more than a million students from around the world--including 30,000 fourth-through ninth-graders from Michigan--on a "telepresence" field trip to Alaska. Titanic discoverer Robert Ballard led the virtual...

Building a better Detroit.(Civic minded: working together for a better community)(nonprofit community development corporations)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and leaders from the business and philanthropic communities joined the Detroit Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC) and the Community Development Funders' Collaborative to kick off "From the Ground UP," a...

Affordable homes.(Civic minded: working together for a better community)(Habitat for Humanity to build 165 new homes)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... A $180,000 donation from Fifth Third Bank, Eastern Michigan will help Habitat for Humanity build 165 new homes over the next three years in Southeast Michigan. The campaign's centerpiece is Tri-Centennial Village, a 16-block neighborhood...

Credit Union ONE.(Around town ...)(Salvation Army's Bed and Bread Club)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... A 16-hour radiothon sponsored by Ferndale-based Credit Union ONE, in partnership with WOMC and the Salvation Army, raised a record $870,410 for the Salvation Army's Bed and Bread Club, which helps to feed and shelter thousands of needy people...

Ford Motor Co.--Corporate Design was the presenting sponsor for the fourth annual MASKorAIDE benefit for the Coalition on Temporary Shelter (COTS).(Around town ...)(COTS' annual dinner dance)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... * Ford Motor Co.-Corporate Design was the presenting sponsor for the fourth annual MASKorAIDE benefit for the Coalition on Temporary Shelter (COTS). Ceramic masks painted by celebrities, business owners, auto designers, sports figures and...

SBC Foundation.(Around town ...)(mobile technology library )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Grants totaling $190,000 from the SBC Foundation will support a mobile technology library in Detroit, a series of seminars teaching parents how to use technology to improve their children's education and a new Website for community...