The Michigan Opportunity Podcast

Ryan Smith, Global Marketing Director, Dow Mobility Science

As the Global Marketing and Strategy Director for Dow Mobility Science™, Ryan Smith is at the forefront of the automotive industry's rapid transition toward electrification and sustainability. He leads global go-to-market strategies that align Dow’s deep material science expertise with the needs of the growing EV market. In this episode he discusses how Dow materials work with autonomous vehicles, vehicle electrification process, and more. 

Quentin L. Messer, Jr., Chief Executive Officer and Economic Competitiveness Officer of the MEDC

Quentin L. Messer, Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer and Economic Competitiveness Officer of the MEDC where he leads statewide efforts to attract business investment, create jobs, support community development, and enhance Michigan’s economic brand. In his role, Messer champions business attraction and expansion, small business support, access to capital, and equitable economic growth that benefits all Michiganders. Under his leadership, MEDC has secured more than $13 billion in electric vehicle and battery manufacturing investments and nearly 13,000 good-paying jobs for Michigan families.

Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer, Office of Future Mobility and Electrification

Recently recognized as a Leader in TIME100’s Climate 2025 list, Justine Johnson shares how the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification is driving a total transformation of the state's workforce and high-tech transit ecosystem across land, water and air. She also discusses industry changes during her 2 years as Chief Mobility Officer, highlights top projects and more.

John Nunneley, Senior Vice President Engineering and IT, Astemo Americas, Inc.

We sit down with John Nunneley of Astemo Americas, Inc. as he shares how the tier 1 automotive supplier is shaping the future of mobility. Astemo’s world-leading solutions in electrification, autonomous driving, sustainable technologies, and advanced chassis and motorcycle systems are advancing a cleaner, smarter, and more connected world.

Mike Duggan, Mayor, City of Detroit

As the second-longest serving Mayor in Detroit history, Mike Duggan’s economic and business development strategies have centered around attracting major investments, accelerating small business growth and creating a business-friendly climate. He discusses several projects from investing in talent, to bringing back manufacturing jobs, including bringing the Lions back to Downtown Detroit with Ford Field. 

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.