The Michigan Opportunity Podcast

Meaghan Kennedy, Founder, Orange Sparkle Ball, Inc. & Bernard Sweicki, Vice President of Mobility and Research, Global Epicenter of Mobility

The Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM) has partnered with Orange Sparkle Ball, Inc. to run a social network analysis, to try and gage GEM’s impact beyond their region and measure the relationship between organizations within their ecosystem. We talk with Meaghan Kennedy, Founder of Orange Sparkle Ball, Inc. and Bernard Swiecki, Vice President of Mobility and Research at GEM about their partnership and findings of their analysis.

Bernard Swiecki, Vice President of Mobility and Research for the Detroit Regional Partnership, Global Epicenter of Mobility

Bernard Swiecki is the Vice President of Mobility and Research for the Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP), a leading economic development nonprofit serving the 11-county Detroit Region. In this role, Bernard oversees industry and research work for the Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM) as the region works to retain and expand its global mobility and automotive leadership through its world-class advanced mobility industry sector.

Eric Gannaway, Director of Traffic, D2 Traffic Technologies

Eric Gannaway, Director of Traffic at D2 Traffic Technologies, has over 20 years of traffic transportation experience with a manufacturing background. In this episode he shares how D2 Traffic Technologies delivers cutting-edge traffic management solutions in the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) industry. They specifically bring products and solutions designed to meet the growing demand in the transportation, traffic, and smart city markets.

Dwight A. Ferrell, General Manager, Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation

As the General Manager of the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), Dwight A. Ferrell oversees a complex organization that provides essential public transit and paratransit services to the residents of Southeast Michigan. Ferrell has more than 35 years of experience in the public sector, managing large-scale operations, budgets, programs, and projects for some of the nation's most prominent transit agencies. 

Qiong Sun, Vice President & GM of Global Automotive E-mobility, TE Connectivity

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 product development, planning and strategy. Sun shares about her life growing up in Shanghai, her time at Michigan Tech University, and future trends she sees in the mobility and technology industries.

Michigan Mobility Conference 2024: From Supply Chains to Talent Attraction – Unveiling the Future of Hydrogen, EV Charging Software, Infrastructure, and Urban Transport

Join our host Ed Clemente as he speaks with key figures in the mobility industry following the inaugural Michigan Mobility Conference. Hear from Justine Johnson of Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, Camille Hoisington of Traverse Connect, Kameale C. Terry of ChargerHelp, Josh Naramore of National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), Allison Bowman of Tubular Network, Timothy Papandreou of ETA Advisors, and Vincent Keenan of the City of Detroit.

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!

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.

Mackinac Policy Conference 2024 Part 1: Gordie Howe Bridge, U of M, MSU, Lt. Governor and much more

Join our host Ed Clemente for a special Michigan Opportunity Podcast live from the Mackinac Policy Conference, hosted by the Detroit Regional Chamber. Hear from our very interesting guests including Jeff Donofrio, President & CEO of Business Leaders for Michigan; Adrian Lewis, CEO of Forgotten Harvest; CEO Charl van Niekerk & Chief Relations Officer Heather Grondin, of the WDBA-APWD-Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority; President Santa Ono of University of Michigan & President Kevin Guskiewicz of Michigan State University; Maureen Donohue Krauss, President and CEO of the Detroit Regional Partnership; Jazmine Danci, Economic Development Administrator for the Downriver Community Conference - MI Works Community Conference; & Michigan’s Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II.