Detroiter articles from September 2007

Detroiter archives from September 2007

A year in review: the results start now ... putting results into context.(Leadership)
September 1, 2007... With an organization as large as the Detroit Regional Chamber, there's a lot to keep track of in terms of the work it does for members, events it hosts and projects it's involved in. There's also a big picture at play: what the Chamber is...

Progress through regional collaboration.(Leadership)
September 1, 2007... Taking the helm as chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors gives me an opportunity to help create positive change for the 23,000-plus businesses we represent across the Detroit Region. This leadership position gives me the chance to harness...

Good news for members and the region.(Leadership)
September 1, 2007... As you go about your daily business, there is an all too common theme showing up in the media throughout Southeast Michigan. Everywhere you look, you seem to be encountered by words like "failing state of our economy" and "economic hardships."...

The much-maligned SBT; How the Chamber helped eliminate the Single Business Tax.(Government Relations)
September 1, 2007... During the 2006-2007 program year, the Detroit Regional Chamber worked diligently to eliminate and eventually replace the much-maligned Single Business Tax (SBT). At every step of this long, drawn out process, the Chamber's Tax Committee and...

On our agenda; The chamber's government relations team works with business in mid-here are some of the issues that were on the 2006-2007 agenda.(Government Relations)
September 1, 2007... Consumer Protection House Bill 4217 would dramatically change Michigan law to open any state or federally regulated profession to possible lawsuits, including class action suits. After an onslaught of testimony opposing the legislation,...

Member committees Chamber members are getting involved in some of the region's most important decisions.(Government Relations)
September 1, 2007... The Detroit Regional Chamber's policy and advocacy efforts are a direct result of feedback from our members. Whether members keep up with our communications, contact our staff or participate directly in a policy committee, our priorities are...

Picking the winners; The Chamber's Political Action Committee means business.(Government Relations)
September 1, 2007... With its active involvement in key races at the federal, state and local levels, the 2006-2007 program year will go into the record books as one of the most proactive periods for the Chamber's Political Action Committee (PAC). During the 2006...

Cobo upgrade a test of regionalism?(Government Relations)
September 1, 2007... As we look back over this past program year in this edition of the Detroiter, it is easy to see there are many issues that carry over from year to year. The issue of regionalism is no exception. Can regionalism work in Southeast Michigan?...

Entrepreneurs gathered for smart strategies to think big.(Small Business)(Conference notes)
September 1, 2007... With over 700 business owners, operators and managers, 60 business resource station providers and 25 expert speakers, the Chamber's 2006 Small Business Conference on November 9 at the Ford Conference & Exhibition Center was deemed a success....

Bringing innovation to business.(Small Business)
September 1, 2007... The Detroit Regional Chamber and Charter One Bank hosted a first-in-the region Entrepreneurship and Innovation Forum at the creative studios of the Parade Company that featured Josh Linkner, ePrize CEO and other local innovation experts. The...

New programs = more networking & learning for members in 2006.(Small Business)(Conference notes)
September 1, 2007... Some of their feedback: "Perfect for networking." "Sign me up for the next one." "I thought it was very effective." Speed dating for small business arrived in Detroit this fall as the Chamber began to offer 5-Minute Networking. This...

New partnership helps members get Business on both sides of the bridge.(Small Business)(Windsor Chamber of Commerce )
September 1, 2007... In June the Chamber announced an unprecedented partnership with the Windsor Chamber of Commerce that allows members of both organization to add on a membership with the other organization at a discounted rate. This partnership is the first...

Small business successes for 2006-2007; The Chamber gives small businesses the tools they need.(Small Business)
September 1, 2007... The Small Business Advisory Council consists of a core group of volunteer small business leaders from across Southeast Michigan. The council gives direction for the Chamber's programming, produces and services that are geared toward small...

A new way to knock on our door.(Small Business)
September 1, 2007... In June 2007, the Chamber began making preparations for a new Member & Investor Relations Center in its downtown headquarters. Now open, our new Center is staffed by the Member Relations Team of customer service professionals who meet with...

Tired of the economy? get WIRED; Southeast Michigan feels the effects of a grant from the U.S. Labor Department.(Workforce & Education)
September 1, 2007... In 2006 the Detroit Regional Chamber spearheaded an effort to apply for federal funds to support the region's workforce development needs. The result was a $5 million Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) grant from the...

Click on Careers.(Workforce & Education)(www.ClickOnCareers.com)(Website overview)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... The Detroit Retgional Chamber heads ClickOnCareers.com, a program that was launched four years ago to connect the most progressive companies and training providers with the most qualified careerminded individuals, offering outstanding listings...

Window to the community.(Workforce & Education)
September 1, 2007... The Chamber contiues to arganize tours of local schools, thanks to a grant from the Skilman Foundation. The purpose of the visits is to raise the business and community's expectations of what's possible in inner-city schools. [ILLUSTRATION...

Meeting the students.(Workforce & Education)(Detroit Public School )(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... As I entered the small room that local civic leaders were gathering in at Blackwell Institute, I was greeted by an eager Detroit Public School student. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "How do you do, young man?" I said to the boy dressed in a...

Tuned in to education.(Workforce & Education)
September 1, 2007... As a follow up to a conversation started during the 2006 Mackinac Policy Conference, the Detroit Regional Chamber held a town hall meeting to showcase innovative and effective resources for preparing students to succeed in the 21st century and...

Speaking up against the strike.(Workforce & Education)(Detroit Public Schools)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Before the 2006-2007 school year, when Detroit Public Schools and the Detroit Federation of Teachers were in negotiations for a new contract, the Detrot Regional Chamber, a representative for nearly 23,000 job providers in Southeast Michigan,...

On the radar: the partnership makes the Detroit region the place to be.(Economic Development)
September 1, 2007... The Detroit Regional Economic Partnership covered a lot of ground over the last program year. One of our initiatives was to host site-selection consultants who advise national and international companies about business-location decisions. By...

Looking back to move forward; A look at the 2007 Mackinac Policy Conference and what lies ahead.(Mackinac Policy Conference)
September 1, 2007... MACKINAC POLICY CONFERENCE How does a small business get access to big-name CEOs, government officials, policy makers and some of our region's best-known economic annually at the historic Grand Hotel, the Mackinac Policy Conference gathers...

According to the insiders ... the Detroiter asked some members of the '07 Mackinac Policy Conference Planning Committee their impressions of this year's conference.(Mackinac Policy Conference)(Leslie Banas of Honigman Miller schwartz and cohn, L.L.P. )(Conference news)
September 1, 2007... What stood out about this conference in comparison to past years? "Metrics were put in place and accountability factors established, so that when we come back next year. We can measure what has been accomplished." Brenda Schneider, first...

Unveiled at the Conference One D action planning, regional branding and TV spots for the Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau branding the region campaign.(Mackinac Policy Conference)(Conference news)
September 1, 2007... * Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's new PPO plan. Healthy Blue Incentives, which promises low co-pays and deductibles for employees who strive to be healthy. The new product is similar to the HMO product, Healthy Blue Living, which was...

Take action: What Can Business do? Don't leave your enthusiasm at Mackinac.(Mackinac Policy Conference)
September 1, 2007... Many people leave the Mackinac Policy Conference empowered, but unsure what the next step is. It is obvious that change in the region will not come from business itself, but rather people. It's great to hear many of our state's leaders speak...

Influencing health care in the Region; the Chamber's programs and initiatives make health care more accessible.(Health Care)
September 1, 2007... Insurance Products Well before Healthy Blue Living was introduced to the public as a groundbreaking new option for insurance coverage that would save small businesses 10 percent on health care premiums, the Chamber was working to develop a...

Working together in harmony; The transformation of design Regional Detroit into one D.(Regionalism)(Column)
September 1, 2007... A year ago, I wrote in this magazine about the Design Regional Detroit initiative spearheaded by the Detroit Regional Chamber. I called it a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop the blueprint we need to re-envision our future." ...

Now what? Chamber members have a stake in the redefined Detroit Region.(Regionalism)
September 1, 2007... It is impossible to overstate the importance of One D: Transforming Regional Detroit to every member of the Detroit Regional Chamber. Our successes in each of the five priority areas (see above) will have an impact on the success of your...

Unlimited potential Leadership Detroit continues to be program of choice for emerging leaders.(Leadership Detroit)
September 1, 2007... For so many leaders in our region. Leadership Detroit (LD) has been a dynamic educational experience, bringing the region's best talent together to make our region a unique and exciting place to live. Through LD, graduates learn the tools and...

Tricks of the trade the PR Marketing Advisory Council helps the Chamber communicate.(Member Communication)
September 1, 2007... The communications business is changing quickly, in the Detroit Region and around the world. It is happening at a rapid pace, faster than most organizations can handle on their own. To plan for these changes successfully and be able move...

Reversing trends Fusion aims to stop brain drain in the datroit Region.(Fusion)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Having identified a growing problem in the Detroit Region-brain drain-the Detroit Regional Chamber set out to develop a program that provides young professionals the tools and resources they "need to stay and prosper in the Detroit Region. ...

Looking for more? Chamber members who are technologically savvy can get involved the Chamber committees, too.(Fusion)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... The Detriot Regional Chamber's Technology Advisory Panel provides guidance to the Chamber on technology legislative policy, federal and state regulatory issues and Chamber products and services that best serve the technology community. The...

Making news: the Chamber and its staff have something to show for the successful 2006-2007 program year.(Accomplishments & Recognition)(Conference news)
September 1, 2007... Chamber Awards Kaleidoscope of Culture award in the Education category (2006) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Alfred P. Sloan award for Workplace Flexibility (2007) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] American Chamber of Commerce Executives...

Executive committee.(Leaders)
September 1, 2007... Chairman of the Board Dennis W. Archer Chairman of the Board Dickinson Wright, P.L.L.C. First Vice Chairman Daniel J. Loepp President & CEO Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Michigan Vice Chairman Lizabeth Ardisana Chief...

Board of directors.(Leaders)
September 1, 2007... Barbara Allushuski World Wide Partner Mercer Human Resource Consulting, Inc. Brian Balasia President Digerati Solutions, Inc. Jeffrey D. Bergeron Office Managing Partner Ernst & Young John R. Bourbeau...

Board emeritus.(Leaders)
September 1, 2007... Randolph J. Agley Chairman of the Board Talon, L.L.C. William C. Brooks Chairman & CEO United American Healthcare Corp. Elizabeth Chappell President & CEO Detroit Economic Club Richard E. Dauch ...

Detroit Regional chamber Executive management team.(Leaders)
September 1, 2007... Richard E. Blouse Jr., CCE President & CEO Tammy Carnrike, CCE Chief operating Officer Karen Belans Chief Financial Officer Thelma Castillo, CCE Executive Vice President, Regional Affairs Terri Moon ...

2006-2007 networking&marketing opportunities; The Chamber had a busy year, holding frequent events to engage members of all sizes, The following events would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors.(Sponsor Recognition)
September 1, 2007... "This is my 12th year attending the Mackinac Policy Conference, and what impressed me most about this year's agenda was the focus on idenontifying solutions to the issues facing Southeast Michigan. Anyone can identify problems, but leaders...

Membership Report.(Report)(Brief article)(Statistical data)
September 1, 2007... Member numbers At the close of fiscal 2007 23,021 At the close of fiscal 2006 22,751 Gain 1 percent By location Percent Oakland 44% Wayne 23% Macomb ...

Financial Report.(Financial report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Where our dollars came from * Dollars Percentage Insurance and Other Products $7,805,844 47% Programs and Events 3,334,777 20% Membership Investment 2,797,813 ...

On the roster: join us in welcoming these new members to the chamber. we encourage you to contact them for future business opportunities.
September 1, 2007... GOLD Johnson Controls, Inc. Marilyn K. Fine 507 E. Michigan St Milwaukee. Wl 53201-0423 (517) 203-3014 www.jci.com Johnson Controls is a leader in creating and managing healthcare environments that improve clinical,...

Dickinson Wright, P.L.L.C.(New Hires & Promotions)
September 1, 2007... Erin Lucas has joined Dickinson Wright P.L.L.C. as marketing manager. Her areas of responsibility include planning and day-to-day execution of marketing activities.

Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss P.C.(New Hires & Promotions)
September 1, 2007... Kevin Hirsch has joined Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss P.C. as an associate in the Firm's Litigation Practice Group. Paul Hage has joined Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C. as an associate in the Firm's Insolvency and Reorganization Practice Group.

Dykema.(New Hires & Promotions)
September 1, 2007... Dykema announces that Jong Ju Chang has joined the firm as an associate in its Litigation Department. Chang's practice focuses on general litigation matters.

Henry Ford Health System.(New Hires & Promotions)
September 1, 2007... Bob Riney has been promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer for Henry Ford Health System from senior vice president and COO. The promotion reflects his expanded role, which has included strategic business development,...

Maddin, Hauser, Wartell, Hoth & Heller, P.C.(New Hires & Promotions)
September 1, 2007... Heller, P.C., a Southfield, Michigan-based law firm, has named Diana E. McBroom and associate attorney. McBroom focuses her practice in the firm's Defense Practice and Insurance Coverage Litigation Group.

Miller Canfield.(New Hires & Promotions)(appointment of Kalman G. Goren, Kenneth J. Sachs and Elizabeth K. Needleman)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... The law firm of Miller Canfield announces that Kalman G. Goren and Kenneth J. Sachs have joined the firm as senior counsel and senior attoryney, respectively, in the Detroit office. Elizabeth K. Needleman, SPHR, CCP, CBP, has joined the firm as...

Henry Ford Medical Group.(New Hires & Promotions)
September 1, 2007... Richard E. Smith, M.D. an obstetriciar/gynecologist with more than 27 years of experience with the Henry Ford Medical Group has been named service chief Obstetrics and Gynecology, Henry Ford Hospital, In his new role, Dr. Smith will oversee...

Peoples State Bank.(New Hires & Promotions)
September 1, 2007... Peoples State Bank announced the appointments of Jacquline K. Kane to vice president and cash management sales manager; R. Kevin Finn to Vice President, Commercial Lender; April Gresock to Junior Commercial Lender; and Charity jacobson to Audit...

Comcast.(New Hires & Promotions)
September 1, 2007... Comcast announced patrick Paterno has been named Regional Director of Communications for the company's Michigan Region. In this role, Patemo will be responsible for leading media relations as well as employee and VIP communicatons activities.

Construction Association of Michigan.(New Hires & Promotions)
September 1, 2007... Derek Fratzke has joined the Construction Association of Michigan, Bloomfield Hills, as a membership sales representative in its marketing division. Fratzke will be responsible for all aspects of new membership sales and retention for the...

Bianchi Public Relations, Inc.(New Hires & Promotions)
September 1, 2007... Bianchi Public Relations, Inc. has promoted Jennifer L. Greenfelder to account executive and Adriane E. Ferrari to senior account executive.

Bodman, L.L.P.(New Hires & Promotions)(Bodman, Longley and Dahling L.L.P. appoints Leon M. Schurgin, Jamas J. Vlasic and Mandy K. Turnbull)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Detroit-based law firm Bodman, L.L.P. has augmented its Real Estate and Litigation practices with the addition of four seasoned attorneys to its Troy office. Leon M. Schurgin has joined Bodman as a partner; Jamas J. Vlasic Agree has joined...

Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn, L.L.P.(New Hires & Promotions)
September 1, 2007... Daniel J. Henry recently joined the Detroit-based law firm of Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn, L.L.P. as a member of the firm's Intellectual Property Practice Group located in the Oakland County office.

The PrivateBank-Michigan.(New Hires & Promotions)
September 1, 2007... Ronald R. Duke, Courtney E. Kezlar-an, and Julie Penn have joined The PrivateBank-Michigan, a unit of PrivateBancorp, Inc. Duke has joined as a private banking officer, Kezlarian as communications and special events manager and Penn as a...

Detroit Skating Club.(New Hires & Promotions)
September 1, 2007... Jerod Swallow is now director of skating for the Detroit Skating Club. Over the past eleven years, DSC has had over 134 medallists at the Junior National, National, World and Olympic levels.

National City.(New Hires & Promotions)
September 1, 2007... Nicholas J. Lachapelle and Jeremy Garrett have been named vice presidents of corporate banking for National City in Southeastern Michigan. The Private Client Group at National City Corporation also announced the appointment of Randi Bellner to...

Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.(New Hires & Promotions)
September 1, 2007... The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan has named Christopher B. Smith as program officer. In this new role, Smith will support grant-making activities of the foundation, assist donors in identifying community needs and funding...

McGraw Wentworth.(New Hires & Promotions)
September 1, 2007... McGraw Wentworth of Troy, MI has appointed Rebecca McLaughlan as its first managing director.

The Ritz-Carlton.(New Hires & Promotions)
September 1, 2007... Reva Bell was promoted to Chef De Cuisine of the Grill. The Ritz-Carlton, Dearborn's award-winning restaurant. Most recently Bell was Chef Garde Manger for the hotel. She is now responsible for the culinary team that produces cuisine for the...

Wayne State University's.(New Hires & Promotions)
September 1, 2007... Wayne State University's Division of Research has named Hilary Ratner, associate provost, dean of the Graduate School, director of international programs and professor of psychology, and Joseph Dunbar, chair of the Department of Physiology,...

Marx Layne & Company.(New Hires & Promotions)
September 1, 2007... Marx Layne & Company has promoted Elaine Marquis, Zachary Walsh and Adam Zielke from account assistants to account executives.

Nemeth Burwell P.C.(New Hires & Promotions)
September 1, 2007... Detroit employment law firm Nemeth Burwell, P.C. announced Clifford L. Hammond has joined the firm as an attorney.

Public Relations Group.(New Hires & Promotions)
September 1, 2007... Elizabeth Scales has joined Franco Public Relations Group, a Detroit-based public relations agency, as an account manager. She will head Franco's retail and lifestyle practice.

Pulse220.(New Hires & Promotions)
September 1, 2007... pulse220 has hired Alana Canvasser as program manager, Regina Colton as director of business development and Kristin Haughton as office manager.

Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C.(Appointments)
September 1, 2007... David Williams, an associate with Southfield-based Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C., has been invited by the Child Abuse and Neglect Council of Dakland County to join CARE House's Intervention and Treatment Advisory Committee.

Miller Canfield.(Appointments)(Michael P. Coakley is appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals )(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... The law firm of Miller Canfield. announced that Michael P. Coakley, a principal and commercial litigator in the Detroit office, has been elected to a one-year term as chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals for the city of Bloomfield Hills....

Dickinson Wright.(Appointments)(John M. Demosey appointed to the Michigan Historical Commission)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Dickinson Wright. attorney John M. Demosey has been appointed by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm to the Michigan Historical Commission. Dickinson Wright Member Mark F. Makower has been elected to membership in the American College of Real Estate...

Maddin, Hauser, Wartell, Roth & Heller, P.C.(Appointments)
September 1, 2007... Two attorneys with Maddin, Hauser, Wartell, Roth & Heller, P.C., a South-field-based law firm, were recently installed as officers at the Women's Bar Association: Lavinia S. Biasell was installed as the president elect and Rebecca M. Turner was...

ZenaComp Incorporated.(Appointments)(Peggy Feltner)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... ZenaComp Incorporated. announced that Peggy Feltner, its executive vice president, has been named to be on the Technical Advisory Board for Oak and Community College, as well as Baker College. She will also be serving on the Board of the...

Albert Kahn Associates, Inc.(Appointments)
September 1, 2007... Gordon V.R.Holness of Albert Kahn Associates, Inc. was installed as treasurer of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

Garan, Lucow, Miller, P.C.(Appointments)
September 1, 2007... The Law Firm of Garan, Lucow, Miller, P.C. announced attorney and shareholder, David N. Campos and John J. Gillooly, have been elected to serve a three-year term on the firm's executive committee John E. McSorley has been re-elected to serve a...

Dickinson Wright.(Appointments)
September 1, 2007... Dickinson Wright. attorney Frank T. Mamat has been elected national chairman of the Associated General Contractors Labor and Employment Law Council (AGCLELC).

Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C.(Appointments)
September 1, 2007... Jill Miller, an associate with Southfieldbased Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C., has been re-elected to the Electronic Transactions Association (ETA) Education Committee.

Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn, L.L.P.(Appointments)
September 1, 2007... Detroit-based business law firm, Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn, L.L.P., announced that Stanley H. Pitts, attorney in the Labor and Employment Department, was elected to the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association board of directors for the...

Dickinson Wright.(Contracts)
September 1, 2007... Dickinson Wright. gaming expert Dennis J. Whittlesey has been hired by the town of Middleborough, Massachusetts to assist in negotiations with the Mashpee Wamparoag Indians, who are seeking to build a major casino development in rural...

ASG Renaissance.(Contacts)
September 1, 2007... WorkforceLogic has selected ASG Renaissance. to be the single point of access to minority supplier content for all of WorkforceLogic's customers. Through its Mosaic Advantage Network, ASG Renaissance will recruit, manage and develop...

McGraw Wentworth.(Contacts)
September 1, 2007... McGraw Wentworth. has been retained by Community Central Bank Corporation to manage health benefits for its 110 employees located in five states, including Michigan.

Tanner Friedman.(Contacts)
September 1, 2007... Guardian Alarm Company, the industry leader in private security security services, has retained the strategic communications firm Tanner Friedman. to promote its medical monitoring division.

Berline.(Contacts)
September 1, 2007... Greektown restaurant Sweet Georgia Brown has named BERLINE its new agency of record.

Marketing Associates.(Contacts)
September 1, 2007... Marketing Associates announced that is has acquired Troy-based SF Design to expand and enhance its creative service caobilities.

Henry Ford Hospital.(Awards & Achievements)
September 1, 2007... Andrew Chen, M.D., a senior staff physician in Plastic Surgery at Henry Ford Hospital., was awarded a first-ever Young Surgeon Traveling Fellowship oy the American Foundation for Surgery of the Hand and Health Volunteers Overseas. Under this...

Dickinson Wright.(Awards & Achievements)
September 1, 2007... Dickinson Wright. member Joseph W. DeLave has been named the recipient of the Notre Dame Club of Detroit's Award of the Year.

The law firm of Miller Canfield.(Awards & Achievements)
September 1, 2007... The law firm of Miller Canfield. is pleased to announce that Midwest Real Estate News magazine ranked the firm fourth on its list of 2007 Best of the Best of Real Estate Law Firms in the Midwest, making it the top-ranked Michigan-based law...