The Michigan Opportunity

Catch Jen Nelson, as she walks us through the big picture of the MEDC and how it works with economic ecosystem of Michigan.   Listen to Jen Nelson with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and host Ed Clemente as they discuss the myriad of initiatives available to help drive Michigan as a leading global economic powerhouse.  As Chief Operating Officer, Jen Nelson leads MEDC’s organization...

The ever evolving and fast paced world of Semiconductors is happening in Mid-Michigan with our own Hemlock Semiconductor Operations. AB Ghosh, Chairman and CEO, has a plan — listen in!  Join our guest Arabinda “AB” Ghosh , Chairman and CEO, of Hemlock Semiconductor Operations (HSC) is the largest producer of polysilicon in the United States. Owned by Corning Inc. and Shin-Etsu Handotai, HSC was fo...

The 4th Industrial Revolution. Figure out how the World Economic Forum, Automation Alley and the MEDC are transforming & digitizing the world of manufacturing.  Join our guest Francisco Betti , Head of Advanced Manufacturing and Production at the World Economic Forum, and our host Ed Clemente as they explore this foremost leadership organization based in Geneva, Switzerland.  The WEF is the in...

With a career of global experience with M&A and the fast-paced world of Wall Street, Rod felt a calling or an “Urge” to return to Michigan and make a difference in his hometown of Detroit through real estate and placekeeping. Join our guest Roderick A. Hardamon (“Rod”), CEO & Chief Strategist of URGE Imprint & CEO, URGE Development Group , and our host Ed Clemente, as Rod navigates us...

From pro-sports to presidents, to a legal career to wearable fashion, MEDC’s Executive Committee Chairman Awenate Cobbina has had an exciting and eclectic career. Join our guest, Awenate Cobbina,  CEO, Bedrock Manufacturing Company, & Chair MEDC Executive Committee alongside our host Ed Clemente, as he discusses his very interesting background in public, private and NGO’s sectors. Founded in 2...

Learn what 60X30 means, MI Reconnect, STEM, and many other key programs and issues for the future of workforce and talent solutions! Join our guest Kerry Ebersole-Singh , Chief Talent Solutions & Engagement Officer for MEDC and our host Ed Clemente for a conversation on the challenging world of talent. Kerry leads MEDC’s strategic focus of developing high-wage skills growth by working with bus...

What has 1,600 users, 620 employees, 124 colleges and universities, 52 countries, & 13 National Labs, all working under one Michigan State University facility? The FRIB. Join FRIB ( Facility for Rare Isotope Beams ) Laboratory Director, Dr. Thomas Glasmacher and our host Ed Clemente on this week's podcast. Dr. Glasmacher is responsible for the 620-employee FRIB Laboratory, which is equiva...

With over 150 employees throughout Michigan, Natalie King is changing the manufacturing face of electrification for vehicles and clean energy! Hear Natalie King , Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dunamis Clean Energy Partners , and host Ed Clemente, as she highlights the advanced manufacturing field of LED lighting , electric vehicle charging , horticulture and the environment here in Michigan...

This gem institute in Corktown, Detroit may be the future of manufacturing materials and composites, which can lead to a more sustainable future! Hear from Ray Boeman and host Ed Clemente as Ray explains the complex world of public-private partnerships and advanced composite manufacturing .  Domestic and international companies alike are realizing the benefits of composite technology that lead to...

The future of work. NBS Commercial Interiors shows how the hybrid workplace is now more of a “destination than a directive” with the assist of technology!  Hear our guest Heather Lanier , Chief Operating Officer & Shareholder at NBS Commercial Interiors , a Steelcase Premier Partner, and host Ed Clemente as they discuss how technology is helping make the workplace of the future more accommodat...

Accelerating mobility & transportation for the future on the 500-acre historic Willow Run site in Ypsilanti, all at American Center for Mobility.  Join our guest Angela Flood , Director of Business Planning and Economic Development, American Center for Mobility (ACM) and our host Ed Clemente as she virtually walks through this historic site, and how it could be the key to the future of mobilit...

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is changing the way people experience education.  As the only XQ Super School in the Midwest, the museum is setting the pace to move and blend the future of knowledge jobs and sense of place.   Join our guest Dale Robertson , who serves as the President and CEO of the Grand Rapids Public Museum and host Ed Clemente as they discuss the unique projects happening at the...

A recent episode of The Michigan Opportunity podcast features Christopher Girdwood , Executive Director of Detroit Region Aerotropolis .® Girdwood joins host Ed Clemente as they discuss the future of the Aerotropolis, the four-community, two-county public-private economic development partnership driving corporate expansion and new investment around Detroit Metro and Willow Run Airports. Girdwood s...

The quest for 200 new diverse angels are being recruited in the great lakes area, out of Detroit’s TechTown, and a little anthropology to boot!  Join our guest Dawn Batts, Capital Strategist at TechTown Detroit and host Ed Clemente as they discuss angel investors, and the diverse community of investors who seed scalable consumer, enterprise and life science companies.  Dawn has an experienced back...

Hear about Michigan’s roughly $22 billion tourism economy and the how the future is happening now, and maybe how Michigan is the “Alaska” of the Midwest! Join our guest Dave Lorenz who serves as Vice President of Travel Michigan alongside our host Ed Clemente as they discuss the business of tourism and its economic impact in jobs, ROI and attraction for knowledge jobs.  Dave also oversees the awar...

Atomic Object, this multistate company makes custom software for all types of clients, based right here in Michigan, with clients ranging from health to furniture and much more! Join Brittany Hunter , Managing Partner, Atomic Object as she joins host Ed Clemente to delve into the cutting-edge field of software and the talent needed to make it happen. Atomic Object has spent 20 years designing and...

Hear how Jennifer is helping Ford be better prepared for what lies ahead, and with the best job title ever. Join our guest Jennifer Brace , Global Trends and Futuring Manager at Ford Motor Company and host Ed Clemente as we talk not just about the future but the trends that will give options to maximize picking the right path to get there. Jennifer’s career path has given her the opportunity to se...

Join our host Ed Clemente for another special Michigan Opportunity Podcast from the Mackinac Policy Conference , hosted by the Detroit Regional Chamber.  Hear from our thought leader guests including Michelle Grinnell, SVP Marketing and Communications, MEDC ; Glenn Stevens, Exec. Dir. MICHAuto and VP Automotive & Mobility Initiatives, Detroit Regional Chamber; Dr. Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D.,...

Join our host Ed Clemente for a special Michigan Opportunity Podcast live from Mackinac Policy Conference , hosted by the Detroit Regional Chamber , and hear from five very interesting guests.  Our special edition podcast guests range from higher education, economic development organizations, health care, talent & workforce development and an International Ambassador.  Guests include Dr. Ora H...

Altair! Who knew a multinational information technology company was in our backyard? Apparently, companies around the world! Come hear their story.  Join Anthony Garofali , Country Managing Director for Altair , and host Ed Clemente as they discuss the diverse international technology company with its world headquarters here in Troy, Michigan.  Altair provides software and cloud services for simul...

Hear our two spirits experts as they break down the business of spirits, the economic impact on the state as well as the talent and workforce and the business’s unique industry. Join our guests Conrad Haremza and Jamie Wright alongside host Ed Clemente as they discuss the exciting and evolving world of spirits.  Conrad’s day job is working across three states for PROXIMO , a global innovator of qu...

Learn the 3 key points about the future of our Michigan history and preservation from our resident expert at The State Historic Preservation Office, and how it could help in the hunt for knowledge jobs! Join our guest Martha MacFarlane-Faes , Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, Michigan State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) as she discusses with our host Ed Clemente the complicated but...

13 foundations help fund the New Economy Initiative, find out how Wafa Dinaro’s  international path has positioned her to be its new leader! Join our guest Wafa Dinaro, Executive Director for the New Economy Initiative , and host Ed Clemente as she explains this unique foundation and how its mission assists small businesses and much more. The New Economy Initiative (NEI) is a philanthropic collabo...

How the world’s largest system of freshwater is an integral part of the Canadian and US responsibilities for a sustainable economy, and how Michigan is at the heart of this balance to live, work & play! Join Mike Piskur , Program Manager, of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers , and host Ed Clemente as they discuss how this international alliance grows the regional economy an...

Learn about this unique organization helping Flintstones and other to reach their full potential in innovation and entrepreneurship through a series of sector partnerships.  Join our guest Brandee Cooke-Brown who is the Executive Director of 100K Ideas , and host Ed Clemente as they discuss how to really assist innovation and entrepreneurship in Flint. 100K Ideas a non-profit with the mission to a...