The Michigan Opportunity
Through dynamic discussion, The Michigan Opportunity markets the state and promotes Michigan as a world-class business location. The podcast serves as a forward-thinking voice for Michigan as a conduit to global trends and applications in the new global economy.
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Latest Episode
Scott J. Bentley, Superintendent of the River Raisin National Battlefield Park
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 in 2011 after transferring from San Antonio Missions National Historical Park where he was the Superintendent. River Raisin NBP preserves, commemorates, and interprets the January 1813 battles of the War of 1812 and their aftermath.
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Christina Marbury, Marketing Director, Taste the Local Difference
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 mission is to support local businesses by ensuring that money stays within the local economy, fostering job creation and strengthening communities.
Eric Larson, Chief Executive Officer, Downtown Detroit Partnership
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 downtown Detroit, including creating a vibrant, thriving and welcoming urban center. Larson has more than 35 years of experience in the field of real estate investment, development, asset management and leasing.
Donald Hillebrand, Deputy Associate Laboratory Director, Argonne National Laboratory
Don Hillebrand (native Michigander), Division Director at Argonne National Laboratory, walks us through mobility, drones, advanced energy, batteries and much more. Argonne is at the forefront of scientific innovation in the United States, addressing some of the world's most challenging scientific problems. Also references to the Oppenheimer Movie and his love for Oakland University!
Jane Ghosh, President & CEO, Discover Kalamazoo
Listen to Jane Ghosh, President & CEO, Discover Kalamazoo, discuss her unique career path and the love she has for the region. Discover Kalamazoo provides the resources, platforms and opportunities for local businesses to market services and products to a variety of travel audiences. Through these collaborative efforts, the Kalamazoo area continues to see an increase in overnight spending from visitors, which leads to direct economic prosperity for the local community.
John Gutierrez, PMP, Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.) - Executive Director, Office of Defense & Aerospace Innovation
The Michigan Office of Defense & Aerospace Innovation (ODAI) collaborates with government, industry, and academia to forge a future rooted in the legacy of the Arsenal of Democracy — a legacy where Michigan leads in defense and aerospace markets. Hear Executive Director, Colonel John T. Gutierrez, share how the Office is dedicated to strengthening the state’s defense and aerospace sectors by attracting, retaining, and expanding investments.
Carla Walker-Miller, Founder and CEO of Walker-Miller Energy Services
Carla Walker-Miller's 24-year-old Michigan-based business, Walker-Miller Energy Services, is one of the largest African American and woman-owned energy waste reduction companies in the country. As a B Corp certified company dedicated to changing lives through clean energy, the firm focuses on reducing energy burdens for local families and businesses, creating sustainable jobs, diversifying the local energy workforce, and empowering small business owners to become sustainable suppliers in the clean energy economy.
Michael Robinet, Executive Director & Consulting, S&P Global
With Over 37 years of experience in automotive market analysis, forecasting, and supplier strategy Michael Robinet, Executive Director at S&P Global, shares with us his insights and forecasts on a vital industry to Michigan. He is a Director for the Automotive Hall of Fame, a Trustee for the SAE Foundation and a board member for the Canada Unites States Business Association.
Quentin L. Messer Jr., Chief Executive & Economic Competitiveness Officer
Discover the latest initiatives at the MEDC as Quentin L. Messer Jr., Chief Executive & Economic Competitiveness Officer, discusses how Michigan is positioning itself in the arenas of talent, mobility, economic growth, defense, aerospace, innovation, and more. Then Quentin turns the tables on host Ed Clemente, diving into the podcast's 4-year journey, exploring the value of long-form listening, public value, emerging trends, unique guests, and much more.
Thomas Cooney, Vice President - International Policy Advisor, Capital Group
Listen to Michigander Thomas Cooney, Vice President and International Policy Advisor at Capital Group. He discuss the organization's investments in Michigan and globally as one of the world's oldest and largest investment management firms, managing over $2.6 trillion in assets. Along with his unique path to his role, Tom has nearly 30 years of experience in government relations, strategic planning and leadership.
Dr. Suzy Siegle, President & CEO Walsh College
Dr. Suzy Siegle, President & CEO Walsh College, is a high-octane president, author, coach and much more. She discusses her books on high performance leadership and how a journey in business, law and higher education got her to lead an entrepreneurial college. Since 1922, Walsh College has becoming more than a business school, it’s now an accelerator, a think tank, and incubator for ideas.
About the Host: Ed Clemente
Ed Clemente joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in 2020 as the Senior Advisor for Trends and Development.
From 2012-2020, Clemente served as a two-term governor appointed Hearing Commissioner for the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC). Executing over 7,000 judicial Orders/Decisions, over the tenure of service. Prior joining the MLCC, Clemente launched Michigan’s Energy Innovation Business Council (EIBC) establishing it as 501c3 and 501c6 entity and serving as its first President.
Ed Clemente was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2004 representing parts of southern Wayne County. During his three terms in the State House (2004-2010) he led task forces on electric vehicles, biosciences, film industry, Brownfield restoration, economic development, quality of life and advanced energy. Before his tenure as a public official, Clemente held several leadership roles at the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber of Commerce, including President and Director Economic and Business Development. He also previously chaired the Economic Development Committee of the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and was elected as a Trustee for Wayne County Community College District, serving four terms.
Clemente has earned degrees from Ferris State, Michigan State University and Sienna Heights Universities. Clemente was awarded with a prestigious fellowship to the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and The National Judicial College for Administrative Law. He graduated from several political leadership development programs, including Leadership Detroit, Michigan Political Leadership Program, and Leadership 21. He is a previous small business owner and has taught at Northwood University. Additionally, he hosts a “Critical Conversations” podcast and is a member of the Workforce Advisors for Wayne County Community College. Ed serves on the Board of Directors for Global Ties Detroit and the Motor Cities National Heritage Area. An avid traveler, Ed has visited more than 80 countries and territories, 150+ UNESCO World Heritage sites, many to play rugby tournaments, others for professional exchange and some for just intellectual curiosity.
The Michigan Opportunity is brought to you by Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). In collaboration with more than 100 economic development partners, MEDC markets Michigan as the place to do business, assists businesses in their growth strategies and fosters the growth of vibrant communities across the state.