Detroiter articles from March 2007

Detroiter archives from March 2007

Change the culture: education is our economy's trump card.(FROM THE PRESIDENT)
March 1, 2007... Consider this: A study reveals that only one in four Michigan parents believes getting a "good education" is essential to their child's success in life. Now take this quiz: The study was done in (a) 1906, (b) 1936, (c) 1966 or (d) 2006....

Join our Detroiter Reader Panel.(FOR OUR MEMBERS)
March 1, 2007... The Detroiter magazine is for our members and about our members. We're currently looking for members to be part of a new volunteer group. As a member of the Reader Panel we will invite you to participate in Web-based surveys, phone interviews...

George Waldman.(FOR OUR MEMBERS)
March 1, 2007... The cover of this issue of the Detroiter is the work of freelance photojournalist George Waldman. It shows seven first-grade students at Walter White Pre-Primary Public School in River Rouge dressed to suggest the careers they might pursue as...

Detroiter says farewell to two veterans ... Two long-time, valued employees are retiring from the Detroit Regional Chamber.(FOR OUR MEMBERS)
March 1, 2007... Tom Kler started at the Chamber in 1982 as an Advertising Account Representative for the Detroiter and quickly earned the deserved reputation of "a great salesman." Tom is known for putting his customers ahead of a sale and working diligently...

We're WIRED! $5 million grant will promote workforce development.(FOR OUR MEMBERS)(Detroit Regional Chamber gets $5 million grant from the Department of Labor)
March 1, 2007... The Detroit Regional Chamber has received a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to transform our economy by implementing workforce development, economic expansion and entrepreneurial growth initiatives across Southeast Michigan....

Fasten your seat belts: without increased funding, Michigan's transportation infrastructure--roads, bridges and public transit--is in for a bumpy ride.(VOTE4BIZ)
March 1, 2007... Over the river, through the woods, along the expressway or just around the bend, Michigan drivers face an increasingly bumpy, congested and risky ride if something is not done soon to fix our state's roadway system. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Strategic direction: the Chamber's newly formed Transportation Leadership Advisory Council is working to develop a world-class multimodal transportation network in Southeast Michigan.(VOTE4BIZ)
March 1, 2007... More than 50 business leaders from a broad cross-section of industries attended the council's initial meeting in December, under the chairmanship of John Cunningham, managing director of Accenture Michigan. Michael Gallis of Michael Gallis &...

SBT update.(VOTE4BIZ)(single business tax)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... The Chamber's Board of Directors has approved a framework for replacing Michigan's Single Business Tax (SBT), which expires at the end of this year. The plan modifies the Chamber's previous business license fee proposal in order to unify the...

State of the State: Chamber urges governor to trim state spending.(VOTE4BIZ)
March 1, 2007... Gov. Jennifer Granholm's fifth State of the State speech called for diversification of Michigan's economy with a particular focus on the alternative energy sector. While alternative energy companies are already choosing Michigan for their...

Performance and achievement: 21st century imperatives; The workforce of the future will come from the classrooms of today.(FEATURES)(Cover story)
March 1, 2007... What will that workforce look like? Will it meet the rapidly growing demand for higher-skilled workers? Will it have the tools to compete in a global economy? Will it show the world a multicultural, multiethnic face? The answers to those...

Business+education=results; The message to the business community is loud and clear: get involved! The Detroiter spotlights some opportunities where you can make a difference.(FEATURES)
March 1, 2007... Your Child Margaret Trimer-Hartley has a clear message for businesses: "Stand up and shout!" Trimer-Hartley is the director of Your Child, a nonprofit coalition of education and family organizations dedicated to connecting the dots...

Principal for a Day: check out this program that takes business leaders from the boardroom to the classroom.(FEATURES)
March 1, 2007... Business leaders from across Southeast Michigan can help Detroit's public schools make the grade by participating in the Principal for a Day program. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Managed by Detroit-based eBusiness Strategies and Companies,...

Detroit Compact: changing young lives; The Chamber's pioneering program makes a college education a viable option for DPS students.(FEATURES)(Detroit public schools)
March 1, 2007... The Detroit Compact program administered by the Detroit Regional Chamber for more than 17 years demonstrates how much can be accomplished when business leaders invest their time and resources in education. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

A big first step: Michigan's new high school graduation requirements are a boon to employers.(FEATURES)
March 1, 2007... A report by Michigan Scholars, a business/education partnership, concludes that two out of three Michigan students graduate from high school lacking the skills they need to succeed in college or other post-secondary education. ...

Education--two perspectives: business and labor both have a stake in the success of our educational system. Two leaders share more thoughts with the Detroiter.(FEATURES)
March 1, 2007... The CEO Perspective: We Can't Afford to Fall Behind By Anthony F. Earley Jr., Chairman and CEO--DTE Energy Nothing will influence Michigan's future business success more than the quality of its workforce. As a result, it is essential...

A lasting solution: business can help craft a permanent DMC/WSU medical education partnership.(FEATURES)
March 1, 2007... The Detroit Region is working hard to transform its economy in order to thrive in an intensely competitive global marketplace. Many hurdles need to be overcome to achieve this goal. One of these obstacles is the absence of a lasting solution...

Memo to business leaders: tune in to our televised town hall meeting on education.(FEATURES)
March 1, 2007... If you agree with me that education is our region's best investment, I urge you to mark your calendar for Thursday, April 19. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] That's the date the Detroit Regional Chamber will present a one-hour television...

Super woman! A Day in the life of ... Terri Moon of Terri Moon and Associates LLC.(DAY IN THE LIFE)
March 1, 2007... Terri Moon is definitely a morning person. Her workday typically starts at 5:30 a.m. in her West Bloomfield home with an exercise or meditation session. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] After that, she hustles up breakfast for her husband,...

Think Detroit first! CITCA event shines the spotlight on our region as a premier R & D hub.(WELCOME TO OUR REGION)
March 1, 2007... The Detroit Regional Economic Partnership rolled out the red carpet in January for 21 trade commissioners from around the world. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The two-day event, sponsored by DTE Energy, presented the Detroit Region as a...

International Consular Gala: Chamber honors CEOs of BorgWarner and Acro Service Corp. at black-tie event.(WELCOME TO OUR REGION)(Company overview)
March 1, 2007... Business leaders Tim Manganello and Ravinder (Ron) Shahani were honored at the Detroit Regional Chamber's International Consular Gala in March at The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Manganello, chairman and CEO of...

Partnership gears up for SAE week.(WELCOME TO OUR REGION)
March 1, 2007... The Detroit Regional Economic Partnership will be busy promoting Southeast Michigan area as an excellent place to locate and do business April 16-19 during the 2007 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress & Exposition at Cobo...

Ironclad contracts: are you taking your product global or into new geographic markets? Here are some tips on drafting a formal agreement for your sales reps and distributors.(HOW DO I)
March 1, 2007... If you're looking to expand beyond your traditional geographic marketplace--whether it is as near as Toledo or as far as Beijing--your first step is to find either a sales representative or a distributor. The primary difference between the two...

All about marketing and more! Marcie brogan of brogan & partners convergence marketing answers your questions.(LEARN FROM LEADERS)
March 1, 2007... Rohini Sonawane, chief operations officer at MicroWorld Technologies Inc. in Farmington Hills, asks: "How should my company determine the percentage of our marketing budgets to be assigned to online and offline marketing?" [ILLUSTRATION...

The front ranks: higher education in the Detroit Region is helping to reshape our economy.(EYE ON OUR ECONOMY)
March 1, 2007... Institutions of higher education across Southeast Michigan are embracing the future and creating a workforce that will be ready to contribute to the revitalization of our economy. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In the last 10 years, for...

In the forefront: a sampling of college & university research programs & centers.(EYE ON OUR ECONOMY)
March 1, 2007... Eastern Michigan University [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Experimental Laser Physics Laboratory/Chemical Sensors Center for Regional & National Security Coatings Research Institute for Military Equipment Protection Kettering...

The state of our economy: Regional Detroit Business Confidence Index skids 38 points.(EYE ON OUR ECONOMY)
March 1, 2007... After a slight rebound in the fourth quarter of 2006, the Regional Detroit Business Confidence Index took a nosedive in February. Buoyed slightly by the mid-term election results, Christmas sales and a short hiatus from bad news from the...

New members: please join us in welcoming these companies to the Detroit Regional Chamber. We encourage you to contact them for future business opportunities.(MEMBERSHIP MATTERS)(Directory)
March 1, 2007... Gold ABB Inc., Robotics Division of North America Ted Wodoslawsky 1250 Brown Rd. Auburn Hills, MI 48326-1507 (248) 391-8530 www.abb.com ABB has the world's largest installed base of industrial robots--also...

Anniversaries.(Members in the News)
March 1, 2007... Auburn Hills-based Guardian Industries (a), one of the world's largest manufacturers of glass products for the commercial, residential construction and automotive industries, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Founded in Detroit in...

Appointments.(Members in the News)
March 1, 2007... Stephanie W. Bergeron (c), a Birmingham resident with 25 years of corporate finance experience in the automotive industry, was appointed the sixth president and CEO of Walsh College (c) in Troy in January. Bergeron began her career at General...

Community outreach.(Members in the News)
March 1, 2007... The Detroit law firm of Butzel Long (b) received the Commitment to Mission Award from HAVEN, an Oakland County nonprofit organization dedicated to the elimination of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Butzel Long was honored for its longtime...

Contracts.(Members in the News)
March 1, 2007... Environmental Maintenance Engineers Inc., (d) an Inkster-based environmental contractor, was hired by Concordia University in Ann Arbor to provide asbestos abatement for its boiler plant upgrade project. Farmington Hills-based Marx Layne &...

Expansions.(Members in the News)(Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP opens new office with David N. Parsigian)(Lindsay Exhibit Group Inc. moves to new office)(Michigan First Credit Union celebrates opening of new head quarters)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Detroit-based law firm Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP (d) opened an Ann Arbor office with David N. Parsigian (d), who joined the firm as partner in the Corporate and Securities Department earlier this year, as managing partner. Honigman...

Grants.(Members in the News)(Coalition on Temporary Shelter gets finance from Michigan State Housing Development Authority)(Nonprofit Enterprise at Work recieves grant from Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Detroit's Coalition on Temporary Shelter (COTS) (d) received a $1 million grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority for the new HomeGain project. Based on a model that has been used successfully in other parts of the nation,...

Mergers/acquisitions.(Members in the News)
March 1, 2007... Detroit-based law firms Clark Hill PLC (b) and Brady Hathaway Brady and Bretz PC (c) announced plans to merge in early 2007. Brady Hathaway's attorneys will join Clark Hill's Labor and Employment Practice Group, creating one of the largest...

Name changes.(Members in the News)
March 1, 2007... Star Trax Corporate Events (d) in Southfield changed its name to pulse220 (d).

New businesses.(Members in the News)
March 1, 2007... Tanner Friedman (d), a strategic communications firm formed by award-winning media and marketing veterans Don Tanner (d) and Matt Friedman (d), opened at 32255 Northwestern Highway, Suite 298, in Farmington Hills. The new firm offers...

New products/services.(Members in the News)(Northwest Airlines expands services)(Marygrove College and Teachscape Inc. partnership)(Henry Ford Hospital use 3-D video cameras )(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Beaumont Hospital (d) in Royal Oak opened the Ghesquiere Family Center for Children's Surgery. The $5.2 million, 16,000-square-foot center offers the most advanced technology, minimally invasive surgical procedures and a highly trained...

Partnerships/alliances.(Members in the News)
March 1, 2007... Comcast Michigan Region (c), based in Southfield, became the first business in the state to sign a formal alliance with the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration to protect...

Transactions.(Members in the News)
March 1, 2007... In the largest sale of its kind in the Detroit Region in 2006, Grubb & Ellis Co. (b) represented private investors MTC Associates and Ontario-based LePage's 2000 in the sale of a 346,000-square-foot warehouse/distribution center at 12900 Huron...

In memoriam.(Members in the News)(Obituary)
March 1, 2007... Rolland (Rollie) Wilkening (b), P.E., 80, former president of Southfield-based Barton Malow Co. (b), died on Jan. 9, 2007, in Sarasota, Fla. Mr. Wilkening, who received numerous professional and community-service awards during his career,...

Awards and honors.(Members in the News)(Lizabeth Ardisana receives Excellence in Leadership award from Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce)(Focus: HOPE receives Exemplary Public Interest Contribution Award)(Arthur Dudley II and Marcus A. Williams named in "Who's Who in Black Detroit")
March 1, 2007... Lizabeth Ardisana (d), CEO of ASG Renaissance (d) in Dearborn and member of the Detroit Regional Chamber's Board of Directors, received an Excellence in Leadership award from the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (b). She was honored as a...

Start Saving Now at Office Depot online.(Benefit Briefs)
March 1, 2007... The Chamber continues to find new ways to make it easy for members to access savings. The average small business spends $300 per employee on office supplies annually. Through the Chamber's Office Depot discount program you can now cut these...

Unprecedented wireless discount for members coming soon ... can you hear us now?(Benefit Briefs)
March 1, 2007... In April the Chamber will launch a new partnership with Verizon Wireless. Members can look forward to new discounts and better than ever savings on wireless hardware and plans when purchasing through the Chamber. Watch www.detroitchamber.com...

Have you started shipping with DHL?(Benefit Briefs)
March 1, 2007... DHL is leading the industry in ground shipping and overnight delivery. Chamber member companies shipping with DHL save 25%. Members curremly enrolled in the program are saving $200 annually. Start shipping with DHL today and you can save even...

Members on the scene.(MEMBERSHIP MATTERS)
March 1, 2007... January: 2007 NAIAS Member Reception, Membership Maximizer, Best Practices Thanks to new member and event sponsor McInerney Automotive Group, the Chamber hosted a member reception at the 2007 North American International Auto Show on Jan....

Q: what did you learn in school that has been helpful to you in business today?(People on the street)
March 1, 2007... Q: What did you learn in school that has been helpful to you in business today? Donnell Harlin, Jordan Chase Insurance Agency [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Do your homework, when you do your homework and come to class prepared you learn...

The buzz: the latest people, events, places, gadgets and things that have Southeast Michigan's business community buzzing ...(MEMBERSHIP MATTERS)
March 1, 2007... 28 different actors from various eras helped America say hello to Apple's new iPhone during the Oscars. The iPhone is not just a phone--it's also a music player, video player. Internet device and camera. Like its Apple iPod cousins, the iPhone...

Upcoming business events.(MEMBERSHIP MATTERS)
March 1, 2007... March 14 * Small Business Institute: Identity Theft Prevention Presented by: Detroit Regional Chamber Get educated on following procedures, supporting privacy promises and protecting your business. 9-10:30 a.m. Central...