The Michigan Opportunity Radio Show

Jan. 12, 2026 ~ From revitalizing downtowns to driving sustainable industrial growth, discover how Michigan communities are shaping the future of economic development. Learn how experts are tackling challenges like infrastructure, workforce transformation, and quality-of-life investments to attract talent and business. Plus, hear insights on planning strategies that balance long-term vision with c...

Dec. 27, 2025 ~ From classrooms to global trade missions, discover how artificial intelligence is transforming education, healthcare, and business in Michigan. Learn about groundbreaking efforts to keep talent in the state and empower communities through technology. Plus, explore a first-of-its-kind e-commerce platform designed to create economic opportunities for people with disabilities. Guests...

Dec. 20, 2025 ~ From the Arsenal of Democracy to the future of aerospace, discover how Michigan is leading the way in defense innovation and advanced manufacturing. Explore how the state’s unique ecosystem—home to 4,000 defense companies and 900 aerospace businesses—drives a $30 billion economic impact and supports over 166,000 jobs. Learn about groundbreaking initiatives like the Michigan Maritim...

December 15, 2025 ~ Ambassador Susan D. Page, a professor at the University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy and Michigan Law, stops by to discuss her career as the first U.S. ambassador to South Sudan and her experiences in various global hotspots. Later on, Major General Mike Lehnert, a retired U.S. Marine, and Alex Tank, the director of the International Affairs Forum at Northwestern...

Dec. 8, 2025 ~ American Rheinmetall CEO Matt Warnick joins The Michigan Opportunity Radio Show to discuss how a global defense leader is expanding its footprint in Michigan and fueling innovation across industries. Matt shares the company’s journey from a single employee in 2020 to more than 1,500 today, driven by major defense contracts and a strategic acquisition that transformed American Rheinm...

Dec. 1, 2025 ~ Senior Vice President for Regional Development Matt McCauley joins The Michigan Opportunity Radio Show to share how the Michigan Economic Development Corporation is driving growth from Detroit to the Upper Peninsula. Matt explains how MEDC’s regional teams work hand-in-hand with local leaders to attract investment, support small businesses, and revitalize communities through the Mak...

Nov. 25, 2025 ~ Vice President for Research and Innovation Dr. Arthur “Skip” Lupia joins The Michigan Opportunity Radio Show to explore how the University of Michigan is driving breakthroughs that shape lives and economies. From cutting-edge health care and tech transfer to global partnerships, Skip explains how collaboration across disciplines—from engineering to medicine—fuels innovation and job...

Nov. 17, 2025 ~ Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe joins The Michigan Opportunity to share the state’s bold strategy for reversing population trends and attracting talent. From entrepreneurship and innovation to placemaking and housing, Hilary explains how Michigan is leveraging its unique strengths—like being home to the nation’s second-fastest-growing startup ecosystem and leading in clean energy a...

November 10, 2025 ~ Khalil Rahal, director of economic development at DTE, joins the show to discuss the critical role of power delivery in economic development and the growing demand for data centers. Later, Lauren Youngdahl Snyder, VP of customer experience for Consumers Energy, stops by to talk about the company’s dual energy services, customer programs, and Michigan’s economic development effo...

November 3, 2025 ~ Jonah Bailey, managing partner at Atomic Object, joins the show to discuss their custom software development, its origins, and its approach to AI. Later, David Wang, CEO and founder of Beet, explains how their software improves manufacturing efficiency by digitizing processes and leveraging AI, and how it is creating an interconnected enterprise for suppliers and OEMs. Hosted by...

October 25, 2025 ~ Eric Larson, CEO of the Downtown Detroit Partnership, joins the show to discuss Detroit’s economic transformation and innovative urban development. Later on, Marla Schneider, President and CEO of Cornerstone Alliance, stops by to talk about the economic and community development in southwest Michigan, including efforts in housing and agricultural trends. Hosted by Simplecast, an...

October 18, 2025 ~ Qiong Sun, VP and general manager of automotive e-mobility business at TE Connectivity discusses the company’s global reach, touching on electric vehicles and future technology. Later, Bernard Swiecki, VP of mobility and research for the Global Epicenter of Mobility and Detroit Regional Partnership, talks about their work in transitioning the Detroit region into future mobility....

October 11, 2025 ~ SBA Great Lakes Regional Administrator Everett M. Woodel Jr. joined the show to talk about the SBA’s four pillars: counseling, capital access, contracting, and disaster assistance. Later, Greg McArthur, owner of NTL Industries, stopped by to discuss the company’s growth and its diverse client base. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for informa...

October 6, 2025 ~ Haley Bennett, director of government relations for Traverse Connect and the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance, stops by the show to explain efforts to foster economic growth and influence policy across Northern Michigan and the UP. Later on, Justin Onwenu, director of entrepreneurship and economic opportunity for the City of Detroit, shares how Detroit supports startups and sma...

September 29, 2025 ~ In this episode of “The Michigan Opportunity,” host Ed Clemente is joined by Eric Gannaway, director of traffic at D2 Traffic Technologies, to explain how the company uses LiDAR and V2X communication to manage traffic and support autonomous vehicles. Later, Lisa Lunsford, CEO of GS3 Solution Global, discusses her company’s change into metal forming for automotive and construct...

September 22, 2025 ~ In this episode of “The Michigan Opportunity,” host Ed Clemente is joined by Jennyfer Crawford-Williams, founder of Ask Jennyfer, who discusses her work as a small business advocate and event planner in Detroit. Later, Mark Rieth, president and CEO of Velvet Ventures, shares his journey of bringing back the iconic Velvet Peanut Butter brand and his experiences in the food and...

September 13, 2025 ~ In this episode of “The Michigan Opportunity,” Ed Clemente is joined by Brad King, co-founder and CEO of Orbion Space Technology, to discuss his company’s innovative satellite engine technology and its presence in Houghton, Michigan. Then, Marty Fittante, CEO of InvestUP, shares insights into economic development projects across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, including advancemen...

September 9, 2025 ~ In this episode of “The Michigan Opportunity,” Ed Clemente is joined by Brad Garmon, executive director for the Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, to highlight Michigan’s outdoor recreation industry and its connection to innovation and manufacturing. Later, Brandee Cooke-Brown, executive director for 100K Ideas, discusses how her organization supports innovators in Fl...

September 3, 2025 ~ In this episode of “The Michigan Opportunity,” host Ed Clemente is joined by Sean Mann, CEO and co-owner of Detroit City FC to share the story of the soccer club’s unique rise. Later, Rod Wood, president and CEO of the Detroit Lions, and Alexis Wiley, founder and CEO of Moment Strategies and part of the Detroit local organizing committee, highlight the NFL Draft’s accessibility...

August 25, 2025 ~ In this episode of “The Michigan Opportunity,” host Ed Clemente is joined by Trista Van Tine, founder and CEO of Nunchi, to discuss her AI assistant designed to personalize connections within membership organizations. Later, Diana Callaghan, managing director of Endeavor, stopped by to share insight on supporting high-growth founders and fostering entrepreneurship in Michigan and...

August 16, 2025 ~ In this episode of “The Michigan Opportunity,” host Ed Clemente is joined by Lexi Hagan, executive director of the Menominee Business Development Corporation, and Marty Fittante, CEO of InvestUP. They discussed the Rural Leadership Fellowship Program and its impact on talent retention in the Upper Peninsula. Later, Naheed Huq of Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and Metro...

August 9, 2025 ~ In this episode of "The Michigan Opportunity," host Ed Clemente speaks with Wafa Dinero, executive director of the New Economy Initiative, about supporting small businesses in southeast Michigan. Then, Jennyfer Crawford Williams, founder of Ask Jennyfer, discusses her work as a small business advocate, event planner, and curator, highlighting her involvement with All Things Detroi...

August 2, 2025 ~ In this episode of "The Michigan Opportunity," host Ed Clemente speaks with Julie Pingston from Choose Lansing about tourism in the capital region. Then, Brian Yopp from Motor City’s National Heritage Area and the Travel Commission discusses automotive history and heritage tourism. And finally, Jim MacInnes from Crystal Mountain stops by to touch on the importance of renewable ene...

July 26, 2025 ~ In this episode of "The Michigan Opportunity," host Ed Clemente speaks with Thomas Glasmacher, the FRIB laboratory director at Michigan State University, about the facility’s rare isotope research and its economic impact on Michigan. Later, Dave Washburn, the CEO of the MSU Research Foundation, discusses tech commercialization, partnerships with organizations like MEDC, and future...

July 21, 2025 ~ In this episode of “The Michigan Opportunity,” Ed Clemente is joined by Amy O’Leary, executive director at Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) and the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition (MAC), to discuss regional cooperation, mobility, and workforce development. Later, Jill Bahm from Giffels Webster dives into community planning, economic development strategies, and the...