The Michigan Opportunity

Reshoring: Is American manufacturing ready? Listen to Harry Moser , President and Founder of the Reshoring Initiative and host Ed Clemente discuss the global movement of manufacturing and workforce . The mission of the Reshoring Initiative is to bring good manufacturing jobs back to the United States by assisting companies to more accurately assess their total manufacturing cost structure and shif...

2,100 new green jobs, 45% carbon reduction, 20Gwh capacity, all at Our Next Energy (ONE) + more range, safety & sustainability = A Future of Net Zero Admissions! Listen to Mujeeb Ijaz , Founder & CEO of ONE , chat with Ed Clemente as they discuss the future of batteries at ONE.  Ijaz discusses the company’s goals of doubling the range of electric vehicles , putting safety first and using s...

When the Saginaw-based standing wheelchair manufacturer faced supply chain delays, MEDC’s Pure Michigan Business Connect services helped the company secure a local supplier! Listen to Ray Maczik , Owner of The Standing Company , as he discusses their unique customized standing wheelchairs and how he personally delivers them to customers around the country. Users of all of their products realize a...

How NASA’s history relates to “Hidden Figures,” Wolverines on the moon and maybe Mars next. All thanks to University of Michigan! Hear Dr. Alec Gallimore , Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering at the University of Michigan and Member of the National Academy of Engineering and host Ed Clemente discuss both the fantastic history and incredible future at U of M.  Listen to his fascinating explanation...

Philanthropist William Davidson had a global vision in 1992, to transform the emerging markets, through business innovation, and specifically economic growth and social freedom. Hear Diana Páez’s story of how William Davidson’s vision transformed into the William Davidson Institute (WDI) a non-profit research and educational organization at the University of Michigan as well as her unique path to...

Hines Industries is an Ann Arbor-based family-owned manufacturing company focusing on machining solutions leveraging innovative technology. Hear Dawn Hines , CEO of Hines Industries and host Ed Clemente discuss how this unique niche industry started and what led her to her current position after a career in Europe.  Dawn discusses aerospace , automation, talent attraction , Industry 4.0 and dealin...

10,000 metric tons of spherical graphite, now being on shored into Michigan, here why! Listen to Mr. John DeMaio and host Ed Clemente as they discuss the company’s recent expansion in the rapidly growing Michigan EV battery ecosystem . Graphex , a global leader in the industry, has been proficient in commercial graphite processing since 2013 and is currently producing over 10,000 metric tons of sp...

International Strategic Management in Michigan has worked with 44 universities, 61 countries, delivered 2,200 training sessions, and assisted with 10,000 youth entrepreneurs. Join Faris Alami and host Ed Clemente as they discuss Faris’ unique background and career.  ISM, Inc. works in five practice areas that weave together including entrepreneurship , global leadership, community, technology , an...

Looking Ahead: The Future of Michigan with Quentin Messer, CEO of the MEDC, The Michigan Opportunity Podcast’s 100th guest. Hear Quentin L. Messer Jr. and host Ed Clemente as they discuss the MEDC and state of Michigan’s successes in the past year and what might be on the horizon.  Quentin breaks down the complicated world of economic development from its granular level to the macro trends includi...

Northwest Michigan Tech Hub? How Gordie Howe was influential in one company’s quest to bring talented individuals and their startups back to the Mitten State!   Join our guest Casey Cowell , Principal and Owner of Boomerang Catapult as he discusses the rapidly changing business climate for the Traverse City Region.  Investing in Traverse City companies that create high value through intellectually...

Sea, Air and Land. The details and complexities of the international supply chain and logistics sector from a minority and woman-owned 2nd generation freight-forwarding company. Join this week’s guests Chetan and Pranadhi Koradia , a father and daughter team who manage Transphere Inc. , discuss the interesting world of international trade . Transphere Inc. is a minority and woman-owned freight-for...

Is the automotive microchip crisis over? What are some measures Michigan and the MEDC are taking to alleviate this challenge? On this special edition of the Michigan Opportunity, hear from our two industry experts, Eric Shreffler of MEDC and Kristin Dziczek of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and learn some interesting background in this very dynamic field.  What is causing the chip shortage,...

The Michigan Venture Capital Association: More than 400 individual members representing 100+ organizations across the nation, from angel funds and VCs to universities and EDO’s.  Join our guest Ara Topouzian and host Ed Clemente, as they explore the complicated but fascinating world of Venture Capital. The MVCA ’s goal is to increase the amount of capital and talent available to venture and angel...

What is 10,000 square miles, has over 1100 recognized assets along with 14 National Park Service highway signs in Southeast and Central Michigan? The Motor Cities National Heritage Area! Hear from our guest Shawn Pomaville-Size , Executive Director, MotorCities National Heritage Area , and host Ed Clemente as they explore the fascinating world of a US Heritage Area (there are about 50+ of these ar...

How did making skis in 1908 in the Michigan Finnish Copper Country influence these Boyne City entrepreneurs to start making modern skis in 2005? Listen to Jeff Thompson , Co-Founder of Shaggy's Copper Country Skis , and host Ed Clemente, explore this unique ski manufacturer in Boyne City Michigan. In 1908, our great-grand-uncle Sulo "Shaggy" Lehto starting hand carving wooden skis f...

100+ years for “Stormy Kromer” a Yooper hat company, up in Ironwood, Gena Jacquart Thorsen tells unique history of this family-owned business! Join Gina Thorsen CEO and Co-Owner, Jacquart Fabric Products , home of Stormy Kromer hats, and host Ed Clemente, as they discuss this fascinating unique manufacturing and outdoor recreation industry that makes much more than hats. George “Stormy” Kromer, a...

A joint venture at its finest. Adient & Bridgewater Interiors bring unique skill sets and heritage together to manufacture automotive interiors. Jointly, the companies employ nearly 75,000, operate in 31 countries and produce components that go into over 20 million vehicles annually. Listen to Ron Hall and Doug Del Grosso , as they explain their unique industry, how tiered suppliers work, the...

What in Michigan generates $26 billion in consumer spending, $7.5 billion in wages & salaries and 232,000 direct jobs? The Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry, that’s what. Join our guest Brad Garmon , Senior Strategic Advisor & Executive Advisor for the Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (The Office) as he and Ed discuss the economic impact of the outdoor recreation industry. Wo...

With 5000 international economic development professionals, Michigan native Nathan Ohle, takes over the helm of this critical organization that helps guide the worlds future development! Join Nathan Ohle , President & CEO, International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and host Ed Clemente as they discuss his intriguing path to this important position.  The International Economic Developmen...

What 60-year-old organization was started by Henry Ford II & Walter Reuther? The Metropolitan Affairs Coalition is one of leading driving forces for economics and quality of life, that brings together leaders from business, labor, government, and education for the 7-county region of Southeast Michigan! Join in listening to Amy O’Leary as she joins host Ed Clemente to discuss the big-ticket ite...

Learn about 3D printing with cement & industry 4.0, as well as LiftBuild, Alltrade & FlyPaper, plus how Barton Malow is transforming the construction industry!  Listen to Lindsey Rem, Vice President of Business Transformation at Barton Malow , and host Ed Clemente as she explains the digital revolution happening in the construction industry through new, innovative processes.  Discover how...

Afghanistan, India, Pakistan. Matthew Asada has been stationed across the globe, but his real passion was the recent assignment in Dubai for the 2020 Expo, along with his Michigan roots. Listen to our guest Matthew Asada as tells us about his compelling story of world travel and assignments for the U.S. Department of State , and a firsthand account of his role as the former Deputy Commissioner Gen...

YETi, not the mythologic Himalayan creature, but a global CGI company based in Grand Rapids. Yeti is active with recruiting talent to Michigan and reimagining education with the Grand Rapids Public Museum.   Join our guest Josh Freeney , Partner YETi CGI , and host Ed Clemente as they discuss his unique path from teaching game designing at Ferris State University to his involvement at the Grand Ra...

Who is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, founder and CEO of two companies, author, global connector, and runs a foundation for entrepreneurial high school kids? Jonathon Quarles “JQ”, that's who!    Join our guest Jonathan Quarles , founder and CEO of BTL Group and Quartz Water Source , and host Ed Clemente as they discuss JQ’s position as a renaissance business-person and his variety of...

Learn with Jim McBryde about the economic footprint of the Saginaw-Chippewa Indian Tribe, CMU, Yoplait Yogurt, and other important businesses in the 4 county stretch of the Middle Michigan Development Corporation.  Also hear about Jim’s connection with Star Wars! Join Jim McBryde , President & CEO of the Middle Michigan Development Corporation , and host Ed Clemente as they discuss the economy...