The Michigan Opportunity

What do Terry Crews, Rumer Willis, Josh Groban, Norah Jones and many more artists have in common? They all attended Michigan’s Interlochen Center for the Arts! Listen to Interlochen President, Trey Devey , describe Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. This world-renowned nonprofit institution was founded in 1928 and has nurtured some of the industry’s most talented artists, musicians, acto...

Michigan’s Economic story and what’s next for the state. We begin our fifth season with a new series Around Michigan in Under 30 Minutes, by connecting with longtime podcast supporter and returning guest, Quentin Messer Jr. , Chief Executive & Economic Competitiveness Officer at MEDC . In this episode he discusses the Make it in Michigan strategy, gives us a preview of what is to come for the...

Whirlpool Corporation, headquartered in Michigan, is behind iconic brands like Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir and Amana. Hear from one of their top designers! Jessica McConnell , Director of CMF (Color, Material, and Finish) & Graphic Design at Whirlpool Corporation, navigates a fascinating path in designing and forecasting products that shape daily life. Whirlpool Corporation , an American multi...

Step Into the Future of Innovation: The New Integr8 Series with Automation Alley. Thomas Kelly joins as we explore AI, 3D printing, mass customization, Industry 4.0, and beyond. We chat with returning guest, Tom Kelly of Automation Alley. Automation Alley is a nonprofit technology business association and digital transformation insight center that helps manufacturers in Michigan understand new tec...

Listen as Kiana Wenzell shares the inspiring stories of College for Creative Studies, Design Core Detroit, and Detroit’s UNESCO City of Design Journey. College for Creative Studies (CCS) is a private art school in Detroit, Michigan. It enrolls more than 1,400 students and focuses on arts education. Located in CCS’ A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education , Design Core Detroit provides support...

WJR is a Detroit-based AM radio station that broadcasts throughout Detroit, southeast Michigan, and parts of northern Ohio. At night, it can also be heard in most of the eastern United States and eastern Canada. WJR is one of the most powerful radio stations in the United States, with a power of 50,000 watts.  We chat with Ann Thomas Battersby , the first female Program Director in the station’s 1...

On October 7, 2000, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration designated Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary as the nation's first national marine sanctuary in the Great Lakes. Now the sanctuary oversees nearly 100 historic shipwrecks in Lake Huron off the Michigan coast and an underwater robotics world championship! Hear from Jeff Gray , Superintendent of Thunder Bay National M...

Mobility and automotive technology today is about connectivity and becoming an information center. Qiong Sun has been working with cutting edge technology and innovation, from industrializing to commercializing it.  Michigan-based Qiong Sun talks about her 28 years of mobility experience. As the Vice President & GM of Global Automotive E-mobility at TE Connectivity , her specialties include pr...

Where can you find innovation pitches for venture capital, networking opportunities, entrepreneurs, founders, investors and inventors? Michigan Tech Week! Join our host Ed Clemente as he speaks with key figures at Michigan Tech Week, presented by the Michigan Founders Fund. Guests include Chris Nolte of Bloom , Crystal Brown of CircNova , Kellie Crawford of Taste of Tech , and Rishi Moudgil of Mic...

Global Detroit: Empowering Communities and Driving Economic Growth Ernestine Lyons manages Global Detroit’s Global Entrepreneur in Residence (Global EIR) program . Hear her talk about how the Global EIR program works with immigrant tech entrepreneurs to start businesses in Michigan and helps them grow in scale.  Global Detroit is an effort to revitalize Metro Detroit’s economy by pursuing strategi...

Preserving Detroit's Dairy Legacy Through Innovation and Tradition!  Dean Angott serves as Chairman and President of C.F. Burger Creamery and Twin Pines Farm Dairy, a family-owned and operated business that has been a cornerstone of Detroit since 1926. C.F. Burger Creamery's specialty products have become staples in the Midwest—from the Ultra-Pasteurized Half & Half in your coffee, t...

The MSU Research Foundation is focused on helping Michigan State University achieve its objectives around economic development through the technology transfer and commercialization of intellectual property created by its faculty, staff, and students.  Hear from David Washburn, CEO of the MSU Research Foundation , as he discusses the MSU Research Foundation and how they manage an endowment built fr...

From The Simpsons to Futurama, Mad Magazine to Bongo Comics, Detroit artist Bill Morrison has created art loved by generations.  Hear from Bill Morrison , acclaimed illustrator, cartoonist, writer, and art director at Atomic Battery Studios , as he reflects on his remarkable career trajectory. Born and raised in Lincoln Park, Michigan, Morrison spent years in Hollywood working alongside The Simpso...

Join our host Ed Clemente as he speaks with key figures in the mobility industry following the inaugural Michigan Mobility Conference. Hosted by the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), Michigan Economic Development Corporation, gathered a diverse audience including global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), suppliers, technology startups, and service providers to di...

With experience working in 8 Countries, this Michigan native now serves in India with the U.S. Department of State, facilitating international business opportunities.  Listen to Michael Schreuder , a career diplomat generating international business. As Deputy Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai , India, he has had a fascinating career dedicated to fostering global business o...

Hear from a 30-Year National Park Service Veteran: From Yellowstone and the Oklahoma National Memorial to George Washington Carver National Monument, Now Leading River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe MI. Scott J. Bentley is the first Superintendent of River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe. Bentley, a 30-plus year National Park Service (NPS) veteran, started at the Battlefield...

Representing most of Michigan’s 83 Counties with various products, this Traverse City-based organization supports local business! Listen to Christina Marbury of Taste the Local Difference and discover its unique services. Taste the Local Difference is a women-owned, women-led local food marketing agency specializing in tailored strategies for agriculture , food, and beverage producers. Their missi...

Downtown Detroit Partnership is a 100+ year old organization that has worked with many notable partners including Detroit Grand Prix Association, the National Football League Draft, UNESCO City of Design and more.  Since 2014, Eric Larson has served as CEO of The Downtown Detroit Partnership , a private/public partnership of corporate and civic leaders who develop and support programs to enhance d...

In this episode, we explore the collaboration between Argonne National Laboratory—one of the 17 national labs under the U.S. Department of Energy—and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).  Listen to Don Hillebrand (native Michigander), Division Director at Argonne National Laboratory , as he walks us through mobility , drones , advanced energy, batteries and much more. Argonne&apos...

From Japan with Johnson’s Baby products to the UK with Kellogg’s, Jane has a wealth of experience to showcase the unique charms of Kalamazoo County. Listen to Jane Ghosh , President & CEO, Discover Kalamazoo , discuss her unique path to this important position, and the love she has for the region.  Discover Kalamazoo works to provide the resources, platforms and opportunities for local busines...

Michigan is a Defense and Aerospace Powerhouse: With 4,000 defense and 900 aerospace businesses, these industries contribute over 166,000 jobs and $30 billion to Michigan's economy. Learn more from the Michigan Office of Defense & Aerospace Innovation (ODAI). Hear Executive Director, Colonel John T. Gutierrez , share his mission to bolster the state’s defense and aerospace sectors. ODAI c...

Carla Walker-Miller 's 24-year-old Michigan-based business is one of the largest African American and woman-owned energy waste reduction companies in the country. Walker-Miller Energy Services is a B Corp certified company dedicated to changing lives through energy. The firm focuses on energy efficiency and clean energy , aiming to reduce energy burdens for local families and businesses, crea...

With Over 37 years of experience in automotive market analysis, forecasting, and supplier strategy, Michael shares with us his insights and forecasts on a vital industry to Michigan. Michael Robinet joined S&P Global as a Consulting Executive Director for his valued insight on forecasts, commercial transition strategies and market dynamics. He is a Director for the Automotive Hall of Fame, a T...

Join Quentin as he delves into the competitive and ever-evolving landscape of global economic development and the history of The Michigan Opportunity through the voice of the show’s host, Ed Clemente. Discover the latest initiatives at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) as Quentin Messer discusses how Michigan is positioning itself in the arenas of talent , mobility , economic gr...

Capital Group, one of the world's oldest and largest investment management firms, manages over $2.6 trillion in assets.  Listen to Michigander Thomas Cooney , Vice President and International Policy Advisor at Capital Group , discuss his organization's investments in Michigan and globally, along with his unique path to this role. With nearly 30 years of experience in government relations...